Socializing And Rough Play

[GABBA]

Hi my DBD (French Mastiff) is now 9 and a half weeks old, and I understand it is very important to socialize him at tuis age, so that he does not become dog aggresive when he becomes an adult.

Anyway, tonight he met a friends (fully vacinated) 10 month of Staffy. He really enjoyed playing with her, however took a few spills while he was enjoying himself (we had the staffy on the lead most of the time).

My question is, how many heavy spills can the dogue take before it starts doing irreversable damage to his joints. I know socialisation is important, but part of the play will involve some falling down.

As a side note, he shows no pain or discomfort, and nothing has happened that would make me concerned, I am just wondering hw much. Have to watch out for.

Thanks.

[shellbyville]

I have labs, and try to be very careful how much they 'rough play' with other dogs. I usually let them play together in a smaller confined area where they do, more rolling, tumbling etc, but don't let them out in a big area where they can run and 'slam' into each other. It is a fine line between letting them socialise and not letting them play too rough. Also when they are young puppies I only let them play with another puppy of similar size.

As long as you supervise and are there to intervene when it gets too rough or silly I don't thing you would have a problem.

[Flealea]

Hi Gabba

It only takes ONE bad spill and the damage is done. Really bad impact injuries can damage the cartilage between the bones, split and crack the surface of bones, which can eventually lead to problems like OCD.

Going down stairs, jumping off furniture and rough play are the main culprits for injury.

Leanne

[GABBA]

Ahh! You've made me scared to let him meet another dog, as the ones he has met have always wanted to jump on him and muck around. There's only been two meetings (Shiba and Staffy) and both were running and jumping. Of course I tried to jump in and stop things when they got too rough. But I hope no damage has been done, little Caesar doesn't look any worse for wear.

[Kavik]

It is very possible to teach your dog how to socialise with other dogs without having rough play

What you want to find are adult dogs with good manners so your dog can learn to meet and greet in an appropriate manner. When your DDB is fully grown and what 40+kgs? you may not want to allow rough play anyway, could end up with a dog being unintentionally hurt or scared.

[W Sibs]

I don't like or let Charlie play rough... I don't think socialising dogs necessary means rough play. He is little, and can easily get squish or another dog send him flying.

I let Charlie greet other dogs (with their owners permission)... they sniff each other, do play bow and do their happy bouncy thing they do with each other, and sniff more. There is no tumbling or jumping at each other. They usually run around and sniffing things together, and sniff more and bouncy thingy more. If there is chewing/licking each other faces.. they are usually laying on the ground and do it

[Dogsfevr]

I think the biggest mistake people make with there pups is not teaching them that another dog doesnt mean playing.

Socializing is about teaching them that yes they can play on your terms or no they cant play.

We see it with alot of dogs that attend puppy pre school,they learn to play but they dont learn that behaving around dogs is just as important,

I agree with Kavik,find older dogs THAT have manners so your pup can learn to approach & behave calmly around other dogs.

My big guys rarely play with other dogs & i have never had an aggression issues.They do now how to play but they also now the rules as they too are around 40 kg.

My big guys must lie down for the little ones BUT i will not let mine play with stirrers or trouble makkers.

So remember learning to ignore other dogs is just as important as playing.

Dog aggression isnt just a product of no interaction,DA can also be a product of not playing with the right dogs & learning the boundries

[newfsie]

We always have had newfies and rough play is a big no no...........We teach our older dogs "gently", which we have always used when we meet other dogs. Our two older dogs will do the Zoomies and hoon around. but they understand "gently" and slow right down, with katy our 6 month old newf pup. It has got to the point that when one of our dogs plays with our pup and the other dog thinks it gets too rough they "block". It is all from repetitive training. We can let our three soft play in the garden when we are about. We also allow our a lot of water play to help those big bones and joints.

No Steps, jumping or long walks till about twelve to fourteen months.

So I would socialize with well trained/mannered older dogs if I only had a puppy. We meet and greet a lot of dogs at our kennel Club, on lead and have met some dogs at a different dog club, where we train, off lead, but all the dogs were well trained.