What Would You Do In This Situation?

[J...]

I have 3.5 year old Darcy (desexed bitch) and 4 month old Zee (also bitch not yet desexed).

They get along well, but come to about this time of night Darcy seems to want a break and Zee still wants to play. Darcy will switch beds, and try and avoid Zee and give her a fairly loud correction that seems to say "p*ss off I've had enough".

Problem is I've seen and heard that warning already several times tonight, but 2 mins later they are back playing again.

Half of me feels sorry for Darcy having to tolerate the pup and I'm tempted to send Zee to the puppy pen to give Darcy a break. She is a persistant little pest and poor Darcy has the patience of a saint. The other half of me thinks that Darcy brings it on herself by giving her mixed signals and that I should leave them to sort it out.

So do I leave them to sort it out for themselves or do I put little miss pesky in the puppy pen for 1/2 an hour to poor Darcy a break?

Incidentally things do settle down eventually, this has all been played out again while typing this and now Darcy is on her bed and Zee is chewing (destroying?) a toy.

[ness]

I'd probably be putting her in her puppy pen to give Darcy a break.

[Vickie]

I would probably separate them for a while each night. The age gap is about the same as with my girls. I do remember giving Trim a rest when Shine was annoying the hell out of her. Trim didn't correct her much so I felt I had to help out. Sometimes I put Shine somewhere & sometimes I put Trim somewhere, so they took turns. Mine are all happy in crates, so Trim was happy to escape in hers or I would put her on my bed for a while with the door closed. I often used the time I put Trim away as a one on one play or training for me & Shine. I have never seen 2 better mates than what they are now, but they are still each more bonded to me than each other...and Shine still annoys the hell out of Trim sometimes .

Edited September 25, 2009 by Vickie

[corvus]

I can tell you what I would do, because I am in the exact same situation, except my older dog is only 18 months. Kivi doesn't often get tired of Erik, but he does and even though he doesn't ever "correct" Erik, I know he has had enough because he keeps getting up to move away from Erik. Problem is, if Erik just keeps at it Kivi will usually play with him again. On the one hand, I am keen to have them sort themselves out as soon as possible. I don't want to be intervening and splitting them up all the time. On the other hand, Kivi has every right to a break from crazy puppies that bite too hard and throw themselves onto his shoulders. So sometimes I put Erik in his pen with something to chew on for a while, and sometimes I get down on the floor with them and just interrupt them when they start playing again. It really does not take long to convince them to take a break and chill for a while. Erik is nearly 14 weeks and I am intervening so much less than I was a few weeks ago.

[J...]

Thanks guys - the issue is a bit exacerbated at the moment as they haven't had a decent run due to the sh*tty weather for the last two days. I did end up getting the pen out last night, you could almost see the look of relief on Darcy's face.

I have never seen 2 better mates than what they are now, but they are still each more bonded to me than each other...and Shine still annoys the hell out of Trim sometimes .

That's really good to know, particularly having two bitches.

It really does not take long to convince them to take a break and chill for a while.

Erik is not working bred is he?

[corvus]

Well, it took a long time when I first started trying to break up the crazy wrestling matches! It doesn't anymore, though. When I get down on the floor now they gather around me and start quieting down right away. I had to teach 'em that was the deal, though.

Erik is a low-key working breed, but sometimes I feel like I have a Border Collie. He gets going and it's 2 hours of just running around barking and tackling and ripping up anything that moves. Kivi has a lot of tolerance for him, but even he gets tired of these epic puppy play times.

[alpha bet]

Sounds like your older bitch has the situation in hand.....

One question? - After she has corrected the pup you say that a few minutes later she goes over and plays with the pup again. My questions is when the older girl corrects the pup does the pup move away and leave her alone?

If she does, then she has achieved what she wants - the pup has learnt to respect her place and shown the older dog she can lower her energy to a more acceptable level, hence the older dog is then prepared to play again.

You have a great age difference between them, sounds like your older girl has the maturity to discipline and maintain a calmness in the home. as the pup ages she may try to push the boundaries, it is good that the respect and bond is being developed now.

Well done.

[J...]

One question? - After she has corrected the pup you say that a few minutes later she goes over and plays with the pup again. My questions is when the older girl corrects the pup does the pup move away and leave her alone?

Not really, Darcy does a good job of avoiding really giving her what for and has been almost giving into the pup which is what my concern was. I've noticed the last two nights with me penning Zee that Darcy seems to be not giving in as much - it's almost like she's twigged that I don't require her to put up with the pup all the time and that she is able to correct her.

[brigie bear]

I am in a similar situation with my 4 year old and 6 month old... I just tell them sternly to "give it a rest!" and they usually do, but if they dont, I just let them sort it out for themselves. Lilie usually gives her a warning, gives in and plays for a while, but then REALLY warns her and they both fall asleep together (They have both done just that as I have been typing!)