Behavioural Intervention Needed?

[Azzachazza]

Hi everyone,

Is it acceptable playful behaviour, that my 12 week old puppy, is excitedly biting my 11 month old dog? She bites her on her legs, neck and face. The older dog doesnt seem to be hurt, although it does seem to be bothering her. Should i be stepping in and doing something, or will the puppy outgrow this play biting of the older dog. Could there be a chance that down the track, issues with aggression could arise?

[Guest Ams]

Sounds like normal puppy play. If the other dog is not showing fear or discomfort then I wouldn't worry. Separate them if it turns into fighting.

[Nekhbet]

you have a dutch shepherd and they can be quite rough players. You have to teach her how to play and behave as it's not something they can just 'outgrow'. You have to mould your pups future behavior and make sure you socialise heavily with other dogs. You also have two bitches I would be desexing both as soon as possible

Have you contacted that breeder I recommended?

[poodlefan]

Is she drawing blood? Is the other dog being hurt?

If the answer to those questions is no then it sounds like she is practising bite inhibition - that's a good thing.

Some of my pups have been very active players with teeth and jaws.

[Azzachazza]

you have a dutch shepherd and they can be quite rough players. You have to teach her how to play and behave as it's not something they can just 'outgrow'. You have to mould your pups future behavior and make sure you socialise heavily with other dogs. You also have two bitches I would be desexing both as soon as possible

Have you contacted that breeder I recommended?

I have been trying to discipline the little one in regards to playing, though it is quite a challenge at this stage. What method would you recommend i use to teach her how to play?

Oh yeah yeah and Ive dropped them a line and written an email, asking for recommendations for training centres in NSW :D

Is she drawing blood? Is the other dog being hurt?

If the answer to those questions is no then it sounds like she is practising bite inhibition - that's a good thing.

Some of my pups have been very active players with teeth and jaws.

Nope no blood. But Nala, the older dog, doesnt yelp, she just runs away with the rope in her mouth. So not sure if Minnie, the puppy, is learning any inhibitory cues

[Nekhbet]

that's good

supervised interaction is always best. You be the one who tells the pup off or just separate them and let her calm down a little before playing again. Even if its a lot of on lead time with the other dog and stepping in the moment things get too rough. Give them big toys so they can play tug with each other, encourage them to play with toys with each other (so get them both to tug at the same time while you hold it etc)

She will be a rough player if she's anything like my Mals personality Spend a lot of one on one time with her now while she's young. As for bite inhibition dont be afraid to really nip it in the bud with her especially if you are not going to do any dogsport like schutzhund with her. Exposure to some older dogs will be beneficial as your kelpie is only still a pup herself, some older confident dogs are the way to go

Edited December 26, 2009 by Nekhbet