Nanook has started this funny thing were when he is playing he swings around and hits you with the side of his butt. It is the funniest thing I have ever seen. It seems to be replacing the bitting...which is fine by me lol...is there a reason behind this behavior, just curious.

It's a Hip Check.

Totally normal way to play. It provides them with protection from an incoming "bite" while still allowing them to push or off balance the person or dog they are paying with.

Think of it as a Polite way of playing for dogs .

~Chris~

My Nanook does the same thing... He also "shoulder checks". Mostly see this when he's playing with other dogs, but occasionally I can get him to do it with me when I really get him wound up and he's got the puppy zoomies...

Sophie does this a lot, I call it "Tail Whip."

Blaze hip checks all the time when playing with Kerian. Kerian doesn't or I have never seen her.

Link was hip checking a Min Pin the other day and totally missing high, right over her head! It was hilarious.

that's Sierra's classic move when messing with Jack or to a intact male at the dog park!

It is funny when they miss!
Nanook is like half ninja when he does it..he sometimes jumps and twist at the same time and when he misses he lands on his side, looks confused for a minute with the " WTF" look ...gets up and tried again.

Bode is a big hip checker. He also likes to go full body slam. Not many other digs appreciate it very much!