Flirting or anxiety between 2 young collies?

[deka]

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Relatives recently got a 2 year old male BC and needed a dogsitter I saw it as a good opportunity for my girl to bond and socialise first night relatives were there and both collies on leash for 4 hours when let go my girl was overwhelmed as boy wouldn't get away from her and was showing her teeth and snapping near him he kept chasing her. 2nd day right after relatives left took them on walk and she was a little anxious. After that whenever boy was too excitable she slapped him and both looked liked they are playing. And in evening she is doing a behaviour where she spins and then reverses into him if he's over excited/curious he licks her face a few times and she wags her tail. Follows him everywhere but seems a bit shy if he's close. Tonight he was licking her private area and she let him and also touching each others necks gently but she still seems nervous but still spins and backs into him.

She is spayed he is still intact.

 

[JoanneF]

Have you heard of the fight or flight stress response, where the body floods with adrenaline in preparation do deal with danger, by either (obviously) fighting it or fleeing from it?

There are additional responses, which are less well known - freeze (like a rabbit in the headlamps, by staying very still you may not be seen or noticed) and flirt (by acting quite flirty, cute or silly, the perceived threat will treat you more kindly). It may be flirting, but remember it is still caused by a physiological response to stress.

 

[deka]

That was my thinking she's fine if he is calm even sniff each other wagging tails but when he is more forward she backs off and looks nervous.

 

[JoanneF]

So don't allow him to put her in that position.

 

[deka]

Easier said than done. If I see him walk towards her I see if she's lying down if she stand I call him back but sometimes I have my eyes on my tablet I do catch it though and he does come to me.

 

[JudyN]

How long will you have him for? Is it possible to have one in a different room, or divide their spaces with stairgates/room dividers?

 

[deka]

Just till tomorrow, I have tried putting him in another room but hes a barker when he thinks he is left alone, I take them into garden on their own and he barks when I do that, only for about a minute or two.

Also thought if I put them in different rooms it would be distressing for him, so didn't do it.

For future I will make sure theres a barrier for the bedroom so my girl can get peace when she wants to go there for her naps.