Skew Dyck paths having no peaks at level 1

Abstract

Skew Dyck paths are a variation of Dyck paths, where additionally to steps $(1,1)$ and $(1,-1)$ a south-west step $(-1,-1)$ is also allowed, provided that the path does not intersect itself. Replacing the south-west step by a red south-east step, we end up with decorated Dyck paths. Sequence A128723 of the Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences considers such paths where peaks at level 1 are forbidden. We provide a thorough analysis of a more general scenario, namely partial decorated Dyck paths, ending on a prescribed level $j$, both from left-to-right and from right-to-left (decorated Dyck paths are not symmetric). The approach is completely based on generating functions.