Goldendoodle puppy aggressive to smaller dog.

[Josie Russell]

We recently got a 2 month old goldendoodle puppy. He is a good dog and pretty smart too. We also have a small chihuahua mix. My goldendoodle likes to play with him but after a while things seem like they go too far. My goldendoodle will bite my chihuahua's neck and shake. Then they will both try to bite each others necks. They also show their teeth and growl at each other. At first it seemed like my goldendoodle was just playing a little too rough, but could it be aggression? I also had a friend tell me that maybe since my goldendoodle is new he is just trying to "establish dominence" or something? I'm confused and don't want to have my goldendoodle grow up and then when he is big, still "torment" my chihuahua. If you have any suggestions or anything that might help please tell me.

P.S. When he does bite my chihuahua I grab his snout and say, "No Bite." He usually gets the picture but still, I'm not right there every time he decides he wants to bite my other dog. Also if you know any other way to scold him that might work better, please tell me. 

[Adrianne Matzkin]

An 8 week old puppy is not aggressive. This is how he played with his littermates. 

My 2 doodle girls growl and bark at each other, wrestle while standing on back legs, grab necks, pull ears and nip each other legs - all in play, never aggressively tho someone who doesn't know how dogs play might think they are fighting.

I would not grab his face for any reason - you don't want him to become hand shy or get afraid of you or anyone else's hands. You can give a tap with a finger in his neck and tell him 'leave it'. That is a command you will use his entire life - leave the deer poop, leave your shoe alone, don't eat the grapes (very dangerous for dogs to eat) that I dropped on the floor, whatever.  

Your chihuahua needs to be safe but unless it truly is aggressive, I would watch them carefully and let them work it out to decide who will be 'top dog' in your home. 

An 8 week old puppy should never be left unattended - too many things to get into and some could be dangerous. 

I suggest you find a puppy kindergarten class to sign up for (can't start a class until they are 4 months old) and join the Puppy Madness and Training groups here in DK. 

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I agree - an 8 week old puppy is not aggressive, and im not sure that the whole dominance thing would begin so young either (I could be wrong). Dogs do play 'rough". Cooper plays "rough" with my kitten - biting his neck, showing teeth etc, but on closer inspection she isnt actually touching hima nd is being very gentle. the kitten loves it!

Never leave your puppy alone. Watch him all the time. if your other dog appears distraught or had had enough, then seperate them

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

It sounds to me like they're just playing....but if you see a behavior that has you concerned I would give them a firm verbal correction and separate them for a while.