Need Advice on Play Between Adult Doodle and Puppy

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

So, Oscar is home now, and Lucy couldn't be more thrilled. Lucy is 40lbs bigger than Oscar and we supervise their play carefully, but more often than not, Lucy gets a 'time out' for, what appears to be too much rough housing with the little guy. She's a very gentle doodle and she adores Oscar, but she does get carried away and eventually grabs his head in her mouth or pulls his ears or pushes him over. I realize they have to 'work things out', but when is enough enough? Oscar, btw, does have his 'safe' areas, under chairs and tables, and he uses them when he needs a break or feels overwhelmed (and often waits and makes his own strike at Lucy when she's least expecting it - adding to Lucy's play enthusiasm!). Are we being over protective, or is this something that should be left to them to figure out?

[Diane, Baker & Oskar]

This sounds like our house a few weeks ago.  Our Oskar was 5# when he came home & Baker is 90#.  Oskar soon learned that Baker would stop chasing him if he stopped running, the space under chairs & tables & shrubs offered protection, etc.  There were a few yelps from being stepped on or being bumped into, but no injuries.  We always monitor their play outside because now we have 20# Oskar & 90# Baker & Baker is so strong when he's excitedly playing.

They'll figure it out with your help...just be ready to correct Lucy but you can't avoid every tumble or bump Oscar will take.  I watched your video of them playing for the first time...adorable...Lucy is being very gentle & nice to the puppy :)

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Sounds just like our house.  Riley takes Boris's toys and they play constantly.  Boris hides under the tables and furniture and pops out grabbing Riley who puts his whole mouth over baby Boris's head.  I put Riley into time out if there is any shrieking from Boris, it looks rough but I think it is just play.  I notice Riley stepping over Boris carefully when they are doing their 'play thing'.  Boris is not scared of Riley but we just worry that the size difference is a disadvantage for Boris who weighs 11lbs to Riley's 55!  Boris got wee wee all over him as he stood under Riley the other day in the garden.. 

Lucy looks very much like Boris!

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Oh yes, I can see the resemblance! Very cute little guy, Boris. I love cream colored doodles (can you tell?).

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Too funny!

[Lynda Kamrath]

Sounds normal to me.  They will work it out and the puppy will find the safe spots to get away from her.  Of course, it also becomes part of the game.  My dogs (one 90# and the other 50#) play at this for hours.  The smaller, younger dog is actually the most aggressive and loves to get the larger, older dog to play chase and hide.  Of course if anyone is getting hurt, you need to step in, but most of the time it is just play exuberance.

[Cynthia, Elvis & Pink]

It's sounds like you and the dogs are doing fine.  The only other suggestion I have in addition to the others is to not let Lucy pin Oscar down so he can't get up.  At Pink's puppy class, they have a 3-second rule for pinning so the puppies don't feel trapped (can cause fear issues later).

Elvis doesn't normally pin Pink but sometimes he gets a little overexcited playing with PInk and I have to give him a timeout.

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Thanks everyone! Your suggestions and experience go a long way in helping us figure this out. We can't wait for Oscar to get bigger (which is happening a little bit every day) so we can stop worrying (and stop correcting poor Lucy, who is just doing what comes naturally to her). Oh, and Cynthia, Lucy has never pinned Oscar down. That's just not her style - and hopefully that won't change :-)

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Initially I had to encourage Charlie to show his boundaries to young Beau!  Charlie was just too sweet and gentle and would take Beau's silliness. Beau loves to stalk Charlie even when he is napping!  Now when Charlie has had enough of Beau chewing on his ears, muzzle, back heels and he has growled at Beau a time or two and Beau is just not getting it, Charlie will gently knock Beau over and lean his chest into him and hold him down on the ground until he quits the biting with those razor sharp teeth!  I am not correcting Charlie's behavior because Beau does not squeal when it is happening, but he will quickly lay very still and then Charlie will let him up. And the play begins again. I love to watch the interaction and it amazes me how much Beau is learning from Charlie, and vice-a-versa.  I think it is great for each of them for different reasons.  They are bonding beautifully.     

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Sounds like Charlie has a sweet, gentle soul. Its good to hear how he and Beau are working things out and learning in the process. 

I've always considered Lucy a sweet, gentle soul as well, but she also has an assertive/spirited side to her, and lives to play. She allows Oscar to do plenty to her, but she's the one who instigates it every time. She simply adores ANY attention she gets from Oscar. A couple examples: She'll walk by his crate holding (and squeaking) a squeaky toy to wake him while he's napping; she'll grab his toys and run with them, making sure Oscar sees her and follows and she'll stand by Oscar, slowly turning, as if offering up her tail to grab on to (one of Oscar's favorite things to do to Lucy) If anyone, its Oscar who's learning how to manage Lucy. He feigns disinterest (no eye or physical contact), he'll bring a toy to the middle of the play area to interact with in order to keep Lucy calm, and of course he always has his 'safe' areas under chairs and behind furniture to retreat to when the going gets rough. One day he's going to be much bigger and it will be interesting to see if/how Lucy's behavior changes when that day comes.