Let's Talk Romping-What's OK & What's Not

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Hattie and Theo really go at it folks! Hattie lies down and Theo jumps on her face and grabs a mouthful of hair and pulls and then they tumble with Theo trying to hold on to Hattie. Then Hattie breaks free and Theo makes a running leap and grabs on again and they do it all over again. Nobody is yelping as of yet but what if he punctures her lip grabbing onto her like that? How much is ok and how much is too much? Hattie never mouths him and will only roll over with him between her front paws or run in circles with him chasing and trying to get ahold of her. Hattie is very gentle I think although she does paw at him and then I say Gentle Hattie. Do I just stay out of it? Do I try to control Theo? He gets crazy! I gotta say for eight weeks old he is all boy!!!

[Jen and Annie]

I think its actually good that they are playing this way, because Hattie will help to teach Theo his bite inhibition. I read once that a dog 'knows what it's doing with it's mouth' and you can guage their play by 'how many times has the dog sent another dog to the vet for stitches....'.
I think Hattie will tell the pup when she's had enough, or if he's bitten her too hard. If she is engaging him in play, I don't think his nipping is an issue with her. BUT, he may be able to bite hattie a bit harder than he could bite you without it hurting. Pups have layers of fur (and a higher pain tolerance) so you may have to work with Theo on his bite inhibition as well. It's so important for the future. When a dog is hurt seriously, they bite out of fear and pain.... with a good bite inhibition, they will not break the skin if frightened or hurt, which will allow you to help them if needed. Annie has had a few rough tumbles with the furniture, where she walks away whimpering and limping - and when I 'assess' her to make sure she hasnt broken anything, she just gently holds my hand in her mouth. A dog with a poor bite inhibition may break the skin in this type of instance... I read an ebook called 'after you get your puppy' or something like that, and there is a great section on bite inhibition... I'll see if I can get the link for you.

When we first got Annie we were terrified that our older dog would hurt her, but these dogs have a way of dealing with each other that may look fierce to us, but is really just play.

[Jen and Annie]

http://www.dogstardaily.com/free-downloads

The "Bite Inhibition" section starts at page 79 of the "After you get your puppy" ebook. It's an interesting read...

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

When I got Maggie, she was already a year old, which is how old Bexter was then too, so they are the same age.  However, once they got used to each other (a week or two...), they began this rough play too.  I was a little concerned because I have never had 2 dogs at the same time and wasn't used to it.  I would probably mostly stay out of it (which is what I did with Bexter & Maggie) and they have always been completely fine.  They both come back for more, which tells me they are both enjoying themselves.  Very occasionally (like maybe twice ever), I have heard a yelp as if from pain, and then the play stops immediately.  It's like they know when to back off.  At least, that has been my experience.  Since Hattie is older and Theo is little, I would keep an eye on it.  If you are worried that he's getting too frenzied or crazed or whatever, then maybe separate them for a while to give her a break and calm him down.

[Adina P]

She is giving him 'puppy license'. He'll run out of it by about 16 weeks (if not sooner) and then she'll start laying down the law :)

[Adina P]

You are still in charge so intervene if it is bugging you. Doesn't have to be a free for all.

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

Sandy, I think you need to sit back and watch the show, lol! It sounds like to me that Theo is just being a typical puppy with his play and that Hattie is enjoying it! Unless you have friends with a puppy, she probably hasn't had this opportunity to play. Remember, there's still a lot of puppy in her as she's not even 2 yet. Let the play continue. Hattie will let Theo know when she's had enough!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

One of the best pieces of advice that we got in our first training class was "do not let them do this rough housing etc in the house.  We had two puppies at once and the trainer said it is really cute when they weigh 10 lbs, but when they both weight 60 or 70 they are going to knock over the sofa.  So, our girls are allowed to do this outside, or at least until Lucy ruptured her CCL they were.  I  have worried about this constantly.  I worried about it more before I got Pet insurance.  I pretty much agree with everyone else though that Hattie will set the rules and teach Theo to follow them.

[Sarina]

I know someone who lets their two dogs roughhouse inside. But it is terrible annoying to visitors.  I hate to go their.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Calla was 4 months when I got her and the fun began. Luca was bigger and heavier, those were the days, and I worried. I never intervene unless there is a yelp, which is very rare. I yell at them then but the yelp itself generally calms them down for a while. I don't allow that sort of play in the house and outside I hide by trees etc. so I don't get knocked down.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

From what I saw in that video, Hattie is more than capable of holding her own against Theo, lol. I would not intervene; as Adina said, Hattie is giving Theo "puppy license" and she'll revoke it when she feels it's appropriate. I also agree that you shouldn't let them get too crazy indoors. Send them outside or give everyone a time out in his or her own space.

Otherwise, relax, sit back and enjoy!

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Yes, every time my boys get too crazy inside, I just open the backyard door and usher them outside so that nobody get's hurt (they love to wrestle with me being in the middle) and so that the house does not fall down.

[Cyndi, The Boys & Callie]

When we first got Sully, he and Tank played so rough I was convinced we made a mistake in getting another dog and they hated each other.  Then a friend pointed out this is how puppies play with each other and to leave it alone unless someone was obviously getting beat up and clearly didn't like it.  I settled in with the help of a coke can with pennies in it when it started inside.  Just like kids have inside/outside voices, we have the same with inside/outside play.  All the boys have been fine. It sounds like they are killing each other but everyone is in their play stance and having a blast.