T2-position

A dog positions himself in front of another dog, forming the bar of the T, standing tall, with tail raised; the dog may try to force eye contact. In this position, the dog keeps the other dog from advancing. T2 position may be followed by displacement.
(Shenkel, 1967; Feddersen-Petersen, 1978; Goodman et al., 2002; Capra, 2006; Schoening, 2006)

In this interaction between two males, the Bassethound positions himself in front of the mixed-breed in a lateral stance, keeping him from moving forward.

The male Tibetan Mastiff approaches the female Boxer cross and moves into position T2.

VIDEO

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The male Boxer cross approaches the young female Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, who reacts with a jaw punch. A male Greater Swiss Mountain Dog who is a member of the female's family group approaches; the Boxer cross reacts by moving into T2 position. The male Mountain Dog moves away, the Boxer cross again moves towards the female and then blocks the male Mountain Dog by moving into T2 position, interposing himself between the male and the female. The Boxer cross approaches the female, who presses against and then marks him with a shoulder rub before moving to join the male Mountain Dog.

VIDEO

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The male Czech Wolf Dog approaches the female Border Collie. The two dogs display olfactory exploration, and the female stiffens, moves away and raises her head, flicking her tongue. The female maintains her lateral stance as the male continues olfactory exploration; the Border Collie licks her nose, flicking her tongue. When the female begins anus-genital olfactory exploration, the male glances at her and lifts a foreleg. In the short confrontation the female lifts a foreleg and averts her gaze. The male ri-orients in T1 position, the female growls, curling her lip slightly and flicking her tongue; the male arches his neck, and moves into T2 position displaying the tip of his tongue and an offensive facial display. The female swerves aside, followed by the male. The female stops in a lateral stance, flicking her tongue and displaying an agonistic pucker; the male arches his neck and moves away.

T1_position < > tail_up_wag