- Play: Dogs often poke each other with their noses as a way to initiate play. This is a playful gesture that is usually accompanied by other signs of playfulness, such as wagging tails and jumping.
- Greeting: Dogs may also poke each other with their noses as a way to greet each other. This is a friendly gesture that is often seen when dogs meet for the first time.
- Curiosity: Dogs may poke each other with their noses as a way to investigate each other. This is a natural behaviour that dogs use to learn about their environment and the other animals in it.
- Dominance: In some cases, dogs may poke each other with their noses as a way to establish dominance. This is usually seen in male dogs that are trying to assert their authority over other dogs.
- Predation: In some rare cases, dogs may poke other dogs with their noses as a way to show aggression or to try to hunt them. This is usually seen in dogs that have a high prey drive.
If you are concerned about your friend's dog poking your dog with its nose, there are a few things you can do. First, try to determine the reason why the dog is doing this. If it is simply playing or greeting your dog, there is no need to worry. However, if the dog is displaying signs of aggression or predation, you should take steps to protect your dog.