Bossy Dog And Young Pup

[chookchook]

Just after a bit of advice from those who may have experienced this before.

I have an dult dog (2 years) and a new pup (10 weeks) who have been together for about a week. Over that period of time, the adult dog has been getting progressivly rougher in her play with the pup, to the point where the pup is frightened of her. The pup doesn't seem to be able to stand up for itself (too young at this point?). No injuries or blood or anything like that.

There is no food agression, or protection of areas etc either. It seems that the adult dog is trying to be boss and it's going too far.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to stop this behaviour now before it goes too far? Adult dog seems to be quite dominant.

Thanks

[Miranda]

You need to separate them, supervised play only. It can be dangerous to leave a baby puppy alone with an adult dog, there is too much potential for injury, especially if there is a big difference in size and weight. From what you say the older dog is bullying the puppy and at 10 weeks it is far too young to stand up for itself, it is your job to step in and protect the pup when necessary.

[huski]

I agree, I never run pups with adult dogs unless under strict supervision. I would definitely separate them.

[canine fun sports]

You need to separate them, supervised play only. It can be dangerous to leave a baby puppy alone with an adult dog, there is too much potential for injury, especially if there is a big difference in size and weight. From what you say the older dog is bullying the puppy and at 10 weeks it is far too young to stand up for itself, it is your job to step in and protect the pup when necessary.

It may just be that your older dog does not know her strength. Sort of like me as a kid when I used to play with my big brothers. I often came off second best! I am sure they did not mean to inflict pain but it sometimes ended in tears.

I am not sure if you need to totally spearate them, but use the basic principal when you get behaviours that you do not want (in this case playing too rough) then interupt (gently, it does not need to be a reprimand) substitute behaviour you do want (in this case being calmer, or perhaps sharing a tug toy with the pup) and then rewarding the behviour you do want. So it might just be a case of when the behaviour esculates too far you walk between them, take the older dog by the collar and stroke her until he/she calm down. You should always be there to intervene if there is the possibility of the play becoming too rough.

I have, to a degree, the opposite problem with two of my dogs. One of the mothers tolerated too much from her puppy, who is now larger than her. I think she now wishes she laid down the law when the pup was smaller! Or perhpas I should have intervened! Mum is still sometimes on the receiving end of play that is a little too rough.

Cheers,

Edited March 4, 2012 by canine fun sports

[bedazzledx2]

My older BC was very rough on the puppy who was in his face and took a loooong time to read the signs! I had to step in and even then Zac copped a few snaps which drew blood. Combination of a grumpy old man and a young pushy pup

Supervision at all times is the key until the pup grows up a bit I think.

[Zug Zug]

I would not suggest playing tug with the pup in front of the older dog, given the behaviour you are describing. It could trigger a less-than-desirable response from your older dog.

I would stick with calm interaction under supervision, and separate the rest of the time when you can't be supervising closely.

[canine fun sports]

I would not suggest playing tug with the pup in front of the older dog, given the behaviour you are describing. It could trigger a less-than-desirable response from your older dog.

I would stick with calm interaction under supervision, and separate the rest of the time when you can't be supervising closely.

I would expect any such play to be supervised. I was in fact suggesting that the two dogs would play tug between them. This would depend, of course, on how the older dog played tug. My older dogs "lead the youngsters around" with a tug toy, and I would prefer this type of interaction between my dogs, rather than an older dog that kept on bowling over and rumbling a youngster. Whatever form of play is encoursage does not matter, I am suggesting that any more appropriate form of "play" be encouraged between them.

Perhaps I misunderstand the tone of "chook chook"'s inquiry, but I did not read any unpleasant intentions in the older dog's play, or any deliberate intentions to hurt the youngster, or put the youngster in his place, or being possessive about anything - just a dog that was trying to play in a friendly manner but does not understand how to be gentle. I agree that if the older dog cannot learn to be gentle with a tug, I would not use one. I apologise for not using the perfect example.

[Zug Zug]

That's cool I didn't mean to be abrupt.

I guess I was reading it in the context of my own older dog, who has been known to get jealous and protective. A tug would be the kind of thing that would make her anxious, and likely to react.

I sought some advice recently from a behaviourist after this ended badly for her with a rescue dog we tried to bring home a few months ago - she needed 2 surgeries to recovery from injuries she sustained from him. He had to go back to the shelter, and we have very carefully introduced her to a puppy since then (they get along well thank goodness).

We have learnt a lot about the triggers to avoid - luckily she is past the touchy stage with him now.

If in this case it's just fun play time that's a bit too boisterous, then that's a different thing and yes in that situation a tug might be an ok game to play.

Depends on the 2 dogs really. The OP will need to judge what is safe and what is not. If either of the dogs has a tendency to get grumpy then I would suggest no tugging with either of them in front of the other.

[chookchook]

Thanks for all the responses! :)

I'll keep it to supervised play for now. Just to delve a little further, what do you all suggest when they are interacting (under supervision) and the play gets too rough. Opinions seem to be conflicting here and I am open to all ideas.

For a little more detail, the older dog always instigates the play and it is always just play and quite gentle. But it will often escalate to a point where the adult dog jumps on the pup, grabs it around the neck and pulls it around etc. I stress the fact that there have been no injuries to date and it still seems to me like overly rough play. I'm sure if it were more than that the older dog would have done some serious damage by now.

What are the suggestions for intervening here at the point when it goes too far?

Thanks again

[huski]

Personally I would be pre-empting play before it gets to the point where it is too rough.

[canine fun sports]

Personally I would be pre-empting play before it gets to the point where it is too rough.

As things start to escalate there are a number of things to do, partly depending bon the size of the dog. Physically taking them by the collar and just holding them until they calm down would work. Then release them and if it escalates quickly, then a few minutes in a neutral area away from each other. They will soon figure out that when things get too rough then the fun totally stops.

Walking between them might be another way to calm them.

The important thing is that the dog perceives it an interuption, not a reprimand.

Cheers,