Puppy Play gone BAD....what to do now?

[Julie Mison]

Hi Everyone,
I posted this on the main board but thought I would post here as well.

Our 11 week Chewie has played with the Border Collie Pup across the street several times. The other pup is bigger and 2 weeks older. To begin with, the other dog was much more passive and CHewie would jump on him and go after him a bit. Then, they seemed to really mesh and take turns on top and bottom. They were really playing nice.

Yesterday, the pup came across to play and my mom said they were not playing nice so they ended the play. Last night, I took Chewie over there to see the other pup and the other pup was on his outdoor leash on the ground. Immediately, the other dog became very agressive with him and kept throwing Chewie over. I intervened as he was being VERY rough and got them a part. Chewie then tried to jump up to him and the other dog continued to throw him down. It got so bad, Chewie couldn't get away from him and I believe they started biting each other more than what seemed to be playful. I think Chewie cried. All the while, I tried to break it up and finally did and took Chewie home.

It all happened so fast...it was hard to know exactly what happened. I do think the other pup was the aggressor and Chewie was trying to get away. (This is a change as Chewie had been seemingly more the stronger willed one other play dates).

I now don't know what to do. Should they not play together again? I do not want Chewie to be afraid of other doggies. We did check Chewie over to make sure he was ok. He had a scratch of sorts on his belly and some wet fur near his back and neck.

Any input or advice is appreciated. Thanks!

[Lynne B]

I think the problem is that the other dog was on a leash. I never, ever let my dogs engage in play while on a leash - in fact they know when they are on leash they briefly greet another dog and must move on. A dog on a leash is not the same as a dog off leash...on leash a dog frequently feels trapped and vulnerable, unable to escape.

Also, it's dangerous for us to decide what is play and what is not play with dogs, puppies in particular can play VERY rough and as long as they aren't harming each other it's probably normal. My 6 month old puppy plays with my 9 year old Aussie and they get pretty wild, their favorite game seems to be biting each others face, but no blood is drawn and after a few minutes they usually just start wrestling around again

[Karol J.]

I would agree with Lynne, I think the difference was the puppy being on the leash. At our puppy class, we let the pups play but when it becomes vocal or really rough, the trainer puts the agressor in a "time out" for a minute and then lets them play again.

Also, you might want to consider not letting the dogs play together until they both have had a walk around the block to tire them out, then let them play together. Then the energy level will be different and more calm when they play.

[Erin and Dexter]

Our neighbor has a dog and he comes to play with our doodle at least every other day. They play VERY rough, always tackling each other and biting each other's faces. It is normal and they seem to love it. If one bites too hard, the other one will squeal and they will separate for a while and then go right at playing nice again. There was one time they were fighting over a bone and it got much more aggressive and then we separated them bc they were growling and you can tell right away when it turned. Sounds like they are just playing like puppies. Look around you though, they may have a puppy socialization class which is awesome to see how they all play.

[Tammy & Gracie]

I agree with the others. I think the leash played a big part in that pups agression. Keep visiting on equal turf (no leashes) and hurry to other socialization avenues like classes or play dates with other dogs. Gracie is a real rough player, we have had to be in the big side (Gracie is a mini grown at 30 lbs) of the dogpark since she was months old because she is definately not gentle. The wet or drooly areas are normal, don't be concerned with that and who knows where the scratch on his belly might have come from. Just keep playing with all kinds of other dogs including the Border Collie. He will probably seem just like normal off that leash!

[Cherri]

Julie, it looks like we are going through all the same obstacles with our puppies! I have a maltese and their play always starts out fun and in the end my maltese is furious, showing her teeth and growling at our Golden Doodle. I don't want him to learn that it is ok to be aggressive, but I do want them to bond so I don't know what is acceptable and not. I don't know if it is better to keep them seperated until he learns to play gently. He is only nine weeks old but the exact same size as my maltese. I just don't want him to think it is ok to snap and bite my kids because he learned that from her.