Please watch

[Mary-E]

Hello
This is a video of my 9 week old AD and y sister's three year old dog. I can't figure it out, is he puppy paying? Afraid? We've only let them interact for brief periods tonight. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Mary-E]

Trying to upload video again. Excuse the typos

[Mary-E]

Any hints on how I get video to work?

[Emily Lau]

Your puppy seems just fine :) Your puppy was both alert AND playful. 

Dogs are very smart. Puppies are like these newly formed kiddos who don't know the rules of being a dog quite yet. Other good dogs can help them. From the video, it looks like the older dog is very nice and well-behaved. Just let them play and they will figure it out. :) If you want them to be friends who "understand" each other, they will need more time. Most older dogs are very tolerant of the behaviors of puppies (because they smell like puppies), but will reprimand the puppy if he/she is too impolite. It is good for the puppy!! :)

Word of advice: try to stay relaxed and not concerned when your dogs are approaching/are approached by other good dogs. If you are nervous, your puppy will pick up your scent and body language and also tense up. Your dog is always looking up at you for hints.  

Have a good holiday season and congrats on a new puppy :)

E 

[Mary-E]

Thanks Emily. I'm so worried that Rocket will nip at Hero and Hero will "nip" back, but Hero is a big dog! Even playing I was worried he may accidentally hurt my puppy. I wasn't too sure if my pup was being aggressive or not. I'm glad you can see the video because I can't see it after I uploaded it for some reason!

[Emily Lau]

The way doggies play, even when super friendly and peaceful, might look really crazy to you, if you are not used to it. They use their teeth a lot, and face-bite often. That's just how doodles play... and really, don't worry! Real aggression looks different. Dogs are a lot sturdier than you think...... including puppies. 

:) My two year-old and 6 month-old doodles play for hours every day, and the game is simply "let me bite your mouth"/"let me step on you and wrestle for hours":) Note: It took them around 2 weeks to fully get used to each other when I first took the puppy home at 8 weeks.

I'd be more cautious with dogs you don't know. The best way is ALWAYS to ask the owners "is your dog friendly with other dogs"? People are usually candid. If they say "I don't know", I'd just stay away.

E

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

It looks to me like your puppy is just playing. He is trying to "egg on" the older dog into playing with him. The older dog will let the pup know if he is annoying him.

Your pup is very cute, by the way!  :-)

[Mary-E]

Thanks Lori!