Adult dog and puppy

[Nancy]

I have a 12 week old ALD "grand dog" that visits frequently.  Oliver is 8 and tolerates the puppy play fine with no issues at all.  Ivy on the other hand was a bit stand offish (as she is with all new dogs), but now started what looks like playing but I'm not sure.  Archie (puppy) will approach her in a playful or mischievous manner and Ivy will react by putting her mouth around his neck.  She does not seem to hurt him, as he does not yelp or squeal  but I'm thinking she definitely could.  As soon as she starts the behavior, I intervene and she stops.  This continues on and off while they are together.  Is Ivy just saying that she is not interested in puppy antics or is she thinking of hurting him? I'm interested in thoughts as I don't want Archie to get hurt.  The puppy trainer at Petco told my daughter that she should not allow Archie to interact with Ivy because that is an aggressive behavior on Ivy's part.  Thoughts????

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Does she make warning sounds as he's approaching her?  If she is it probably means she is trying to get him to back off but he's not listening so she is disciplining him.  That's what it seems like to me. 

If Ivy is growling quietly at him then that is definitely a warning and you should keep a close eye on them.  I wouldn't separate them necessarily because I would think it would escalate her behavior by confirming her apprehension about him.  If you can't be directly watching them though I would definitely keep them separated (ie. crate the puppy) just in case.

You could also try some positive reinforcement training by rewarding Ivy anytime the puppy approaches her and she interacts calmly with him.  Reward puppy for approaching Ivy respectfully too!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The behavior is perfectly normal, and in fact, that's how most dogs play with each other. It can also be a way of showing dominance, but it is absolutely NOT "aggressive." Trainers at Petco are not known for their experience or expertise. Dogs don't "think of" hurting another dog; if they do hurt another dog, it's a reaction and it's not plotted out beforehand, lol. It's a mistake to intervene when she does this. That more than anything else will color her feelings towards this interloper and possibly actually create dislike. Definitely supervise, but don't intervene unless absolutely necessary.

If Ivy doesn't want the puppy bothering her, she will let him know in a much clearer manner than mouthing his neck, and if he is feeling threatened or hurt, he will let you know, and he will also stay away from her. Let them work it out. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

18 lb Jasper playing with his best friend 80 lb Murphy at the park recently; notice mouths on necks, lol. 

https://youtu.be/NzgfMAdSC4Y

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Those two are adorable together :)

Riley has found a wolfhound buddy to play with that one of our neighbors got recently... the pup is 4 months old and already as tall as Riley LOL.  Soon she is going to be the "small dog"!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Of course, my point here is that dogs "bite" each others' faces, necks, ears, etc in play and it's not "aggressive" behavior. Even when one of them is much bigger and stronger than the other. If Murphy wanted to hurt Jasper, he could easily do so. But even when Murphy is actually gently biting Jasper's ear, my little guy clearly doesn't mind it, lol. 

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Super unrelated but do you think Jasper will lose his black areas and become solid silver?  I like his "elbow patches" lol. :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's funny; so many people love his coloring, but I was really hoping he would be solid silver. Their heads, ears and tails often stay darker, so I was prepared for that, but I wish there was a little less contrast, lol. I don't know if he is going to clear any more, he's past 18 months old. 

We do love those elbow patches. His brother and sister have them too. And the little black stripes in his private area, lol. 

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Riley's belly hair is white and it runs all the way back in between her back legs, through her privates and to her tail lol.  I kinda wish her sanitary area were black... besides looking dirty all the time it looks kinda silly when you see her from the back :p

[Stacy]

Count me as another who loves his color. I was thinking about that while watching that video. I think he's so unique. But you know, despite everything I know, I can't help loving those multi colored dogs.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Multi-colored dogs are fine, except when they are breeds that are not supposed to be multi-colored, lol. It just bothers me.

I'd be just as opposed to a solid colored Bernese Mountain Dog. :) 

[Nancy]

That is just what I was thinking but it is different than how Oliver (before his surgery) played with Archie.  With Oliver, he plays with Archie the same way that he played with Ivy, lots of mouthing going back and forth, rolling on the floor, etc...When Ivy mouths Archie, it is almost like she "restraining him", again, not snarling or making any noises.  Archie then runs between our legs and hides for a bit and then goes back and nips at Ivy or pounces in play position.  I certainly don't want to think that Ivy wants to hurt him but she does not tolerate all dogs.  She does curl her lip and snarl at some dogs.  It is like she picks and chooses who she likes.  I'm really confused with her behavior but totally agree that if she wanted to hurt Archie, she could.  

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

If she is not growling, snarling, curling a lip, or giving any other warning signals with Archie, I would not worry. He would not be going back with play bows and nips if Ivy's behavior truly made him feel uncomfortable or threatened. I think it's a very good idea to keep a watchful eye on them, but I would not interfere.