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!!!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Kona was much too soft with Owen. We ended up having to interrrupt. Owen is super dominant though. It all sounds pretty normal to me. I would try to let Hattie manage this until in your opinion it gets too rough. Owen, who prefers to not listen to much, will immediately stop biting Kona when we say, "No biting!" It must have been one of his first learned behaviors, like "sit". 

What you are describing sounds very normal to me and wouldn't worry me unless Hattie was trying to avoid the pup. From the video she looks like she is having as much fun as Theo. Obviously that's only a moment of their lives. 

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Right now my two aren't playing and Riley seems to know that Boris is not well. But normally it's a play fest.  In our case it is Riley who starts the play and sometimes it does get a little too rough though they never hurt each other.  I do send them to time out if it gets crazy and when I hear them in the lounge If I go in they both lie down and look up at me as if butter wouldn't melt in their mouths which is so funny to see.  I too was surprised at how Boris 'played' from the start with Riley but they seem to know how not to hurt one another. Boris has never nipped any of us or even put his teeth on skin.  I put this down to lots of bite inhibition learning with his brother.  I am sure they will be just fine but you are the boss and can decide what's ok and what's not.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

My goodness, this was all that I worried about after Auggie came home. The first day home, Auggie peed when Monty play-barked at him. THe next day Auggie realized that the big barking monster is actually a softie. I was so scared somebody is going to get hurt. The big guy smashing the little guy, or the little guy injuring the big guy with his sharp baby teeth. I figured that nobody is yelping and they are both coming for more, then it has to be okay. I did find a few scabs on Monty's neck where Auggie used to grab him with his sharp teeth. On one occasion I heard Auggie yelp (did not see what happened), but the play stopped immediately. Now that Auggie is bigger, Monty actually runs for cover and tries to hide between my legs. When they are playing, Monty is always the one that volunteerly rolls on his back and lets Auggie snort in his face and jump around his kicking body. At other times Monty is running after Auggie in the backyard trying to corner him. Monty has always been good playing with other dogs, so I guess I just assume that he would let the little guy know if he crossed the line. I know it's scary to see a big dog play with a tiny puppy. I do jump in from time to time, usually to get Auggie off Monty. What is interesting to me, when we are in a dog park, Auggie does not clamp down on other dog's. It's just Monty that he tries to dominate. (and on occasions Monty tries to get back at him by humping)....aw, the adventures and mysteries of having two dogs. LOL 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

It is hard to watch these little sharp toothed crazy puppies attack our sweet older dogs. And Bella was no exception when she came. She nipped and tugged and jumped and pulled on poor Murphy until I thought there would be blood everyday. But never a drop, never a yelp, never even a retreat with a tail between the legs. So I just let them be, unless it annoyed me or I felt it was getting too rough.
You're still in charge and you can set the limits. But before you know it they will be more evenly matched and it won't seem so scary.
I love watching my two do the "doodle dance", teeth bared and all. They love it too. I just really trust that they know how to set their own limits. Welcome to the world of double doodles...

[F, Calla & Luca]

My too differ by 15-20 pounds but it works out OK.

[Adina P]

Mine are about 40 lbs apart, but neither is a SMALL dog so it works okay.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Will their weights be about the same? As best as you can guess? Murph and Bella are within 2-4 pds of each other and within about an inch difference in height. So it works out good. I actually work at keeping their weights about the same just for this reason. Our daughters doodle has almost 20 pounds on my two and you can hear the body slams from across the yard. Those scare me. Bella is usually the recipient of those but she's learned to roll with them pretty good now. Another good reason for pet insurance.

[Chloe, Finley & Mama Shelley]

My 2 play very rough with each other also. They are full brother and sister, but Chloe is 11 months older, same parents, different litter. Finley now at 7 1/2 months OUT Weighs her by about 8 lbs (She is now 18 months old) LOL.They are so fun to watch, and yes they get a little out of hand when its indoors, so I make them take a time out. I have noticed they play like this only with each other, and their other "brother, my 3 yr old Golden", but they dont play with other dogs at all at the Dog parks. They are only interested in each other, and the BALL at the park.

I say leave them to their fun..Even as a brand new pup, Finley was very rough and climbed all over her, but they love each other!

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

Here's just a subtle warning for you and all golden doodle owners.  My 2 1/2 year old pup was extremely active this way also.  Loved loved loved doggie daycare, running wild with the neighbors dogs, jogging with daddy...till this past summer she started lifting her right back paw when she peed.  Well, I didn't think much of that...then we boarded her in September when we went out west and they noticed her limping!  Story made short...she is now recuperating from anterior ligament repair surgery!  She will not be allowed to go back to her regular activities until July of this year!...Lesson learned...do not let them get too crazy!  I know it looks like they are having fun...and they probably are...But, this breed has the propensity for stifles to develop this problem.  Hope this information keeps your puppies from having to go thru what mine did.  With the breeding of these very cute puppies, they have developed this problem thru genetics ..nothing can be done until testing of the parents is refined...and that won't happen for years to come, but someday they will be able to test for this as well as other genetic problems.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Sorry to hear about your pup. I hope her recovery is smooth.