harlosmummy Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 hello everyone i'm really worried, but not sure if im over-reacting i have a 10 week old bull terrierx boxer, who is very aggressive with our 8 year old red heeler although the heeler is 5 times the puppies size, she will always run to the heeler and start biting it and jumping all over it. the heeler will play back but not bite or anything recently the bull terrier has started to make really agressive noise towrds the heeler when their fighting and will not back down, all she wants to do is fight with it, she will never just sit and relax with her should i be worried i dont want her to be an aggressive dog, what should i do? thanks in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 (edited) If your Red Heeler is not correcting the puppy you need to step in now and every time and correct the puppy. In sayign that you shouldn't leave the correcting up to the mature dog either. The only time puppy should be near your mature dog is whilst it is on lead and the interaction is being controlled by you. Some pups are right brats and will harass the older dogs really badly. Are you going to puppy pre-school? I would suggest you ask for a behaviourist to come and visit you to teach you how to teach your puppy boundaries. Edited April 27, 2009 by sas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harlosmummy Posted April 27, 2009 Author Share Posted April 27, 2009 yes we are taking it to puppy pre-school next saturday i'm hoping that will work my boyfriend wont let a behaviourist come in as he thinks he knows best and the puppy is just playing which is true though its a bit aggressive for my liking and because of the breed it even more worrying.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 Is she fighting or playing? Is the older dog concerned? Has the pup drawn blood? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puggy_puggy Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 Some pups/dogs do make vicious sounds when they are actually just playing. Your older dog will either tell the pup off or remove itself from the pups reach if it doesn't like what the pup is doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harlosmummy Posted April 27, 2009 Author Share Posted April 27, 2009 thanks for all your feedback no the puppy hasnt drawn blood, they may be just playing it just gets out of hand and recently the puppy seems alot more agressive towards the older dog. i thought it was playing but then a couple people have said they've never seen a puppy be like that with a big dog! :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 I would call the trainer who will be taking your pre school class and ask if its possible to arrive early to the class and discuss with him/ her then. Its very hard to say without seeing whats happening- its not uncommon for people to misinterpret play but also not uncommon for pups to be too rough/ over the top with older dogs. I have an adult dog here that ended up with holes in his face from a playful puppy simply because he would not tell the puppy off or show any kind of discomfort when the pup was play mouthing with him- his pain threshold is through the roof in many ways. As soon as we realised what was happening we intervened but not ALL adult dogs will correct a puppy- even when they absolutely should. And this was puppy play that looked as normal and lovely as it gets! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodle proud Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 Hi, I have been through something very similiar since getting our pup 3 months ago. Our older boy does correct her at times but like you I was worried things were getting out of hand and that he was just way too tolerant of her being a real brat as Sas said. She even barks really loudly at him to play, jumps on his head etc. On advice from the dol'ers every time I see her getting to rough or just being plain rude I step in and gently but firmly push her away saying "OFF". She rarely tries to come back at him after that but still tries it on when she gets too hyped up. I have also put her in time out (in the boring bathroom with the door shut) the instant she barks at him or if when I go to move her away she snaps or growls etc. Every time. Then I only let her out when shes quiet and do not acknowledge her, I just open the door and walk away. Its ongoing. And like you I doubt that my OH would ever justify getting a dog behaviourist. Im sure they would be able to tell you exactly what to do. But if thats not an option just keep getting advice. DOL is fabulous and there are lots of other sites that have good tips too. allexperts.com have a huge dog question library and if you want a reply specific to your situation they get back to you within a couple of days. Its kind of like raising kids, often not one right way but lots of roads leading to Rome. Puppy school should be great for your baby. good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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