Puppy vs adult behavior

[jenn D]

Hi guys. I'm here with one of my first questions regarding our new pack of 3. Pickles (at 10 weeks) is pretty assertive with both Jake and Brisby. He barks at them alot to get their attention. He walks up to them and takes their treats. Brisby and Jake both growl at him but they don't snap their things back. In fact the only thing brisby and Jake do not back down on is sitting with their humans.
So I'm wondering if Pickles is just going to be an aggressive boy or if this is just puppy exuberance and behavior. And how do I handle it? I do not want this 10 week pup ruling the roost.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The big dogs will take care of it. At some point, they will revoke Pickles' puppy license, lol. 

[jenn D]

Ok thanks Karen. I am starting to worry about that red head comment regarding behavior. :) he seemed like the best balanced dog in the litter. Not too assertive,not to timid. Just worried. :(

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It may very well be that some day, Pickles will be the leader of your dog pack, but that's up to the dogs, and there is nothing you can do to influence who ends up in 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.  (You can make sure that nobody rises above that, i.e. thinks they have a position higher than any of the humans or truly rules the roost, but you already knew that.) 

Even the most tolerant adult dog will eventually get tired of being pushed around by a rambunctious puppy and let him know that his license to act like a brat has expired. 

[Miss Ellie]

I Love the way you put this Karen...too funny:)

[Brittney & Cally]

Speaking of revoking the puppy liscense, Rosey just revoked Callys a few weeks ago when Cally tried to take Roseys antler. She no longer screws with her or she gets corrected. They will soon not baby him as much! No worries!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yep. 

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

I spent the evening last night with friends who have two black labs. One is six-years old (Bradley) and the other is seven-months young (Curtis). For the three hours that I was there, the puppy was barking at his older brother, biting on his ears, and generally exhibiting behavior that a person would find annoying. None of it seemed to bother the older dog, though. He was very tolerant -- UNTIL Bradley tried to take away his favorite ball. At that, Curtis "told" him to cut it out, in no uncertain (dog) terms.  

It sounds like your Pickles is acting like a typical puppy. If Brisby and Jake have had enough of his pesky puppy antics, they will surely let him know. 

P.S.:  I love the name, Pickles. Whenever I see it here on DK, I just have to smile :o)

[BG and Gavin]

Gavin is the most mild mannered and tolerant dog I have ever known.  But, I saw him once reach his limit with a puppy who kept it up and up and up and even tried to hump poor Gavin's head!  A short, open mouth snarl and the puppy moved away and laid down on the other side of the deck.  Message delivered, message received.  Pickles will learn :)

[Sally S Miles]

I have had similar questions - but last week got my answer.  Our girl is seventeen months, new pup almost five months now - - he launches himself at her - pounces, follows, and all in all it's been great. However - he managed to puch her buttons the other day by hanging onto her ear once too often - she grabbed him by the ear and hauled him across the room!!! Gently dropped him onto the bed and walked off!!! I laughed myself silly!  She has been so patient, so tolerant - gets too rowdy at times, but she has limits and set them.  I can hardly wait for the 'piranha' stage to be over!

In all seriousness though it is so interesting and yet sometimes concerning with a little one around big dogs - how much is too much or where to draw the line. We supervise ours to a faretheewell, but as Karen said - they will figure it out regardless of what we like. Lots of grimacing and teeth gritting at times though..

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

That's funny about the 'puppy license being revoked'.... In the 14 months we've had Oscar, Lucy (now 4 yrs old) has never once revoked Oscar's. Granted, he is far mellower than Lucy, and if anyone is doing the intimidating in the relationship, its usually Lucy (Oscar either ignores her or engages in play to her demands). I also find it curious that there doesn't appear to be a 'top dog' between the 2. Oscar may have a slight edge, only because if there is any toy, attention, treat or anything Lucy has, Oscar wants it and finds a way to get it away from her (never aggressively, but assertively!). Lucy willingly relinquishes it all to Oscar, or she makes a game of it and plays tug-o-war with him if its a toy he wants. She's always loved any and all attention she gets from Oscar.

[Pat and Traveler]

Puppy license--what a great term!  I've been fascinated by this also.  Trav has been the little brother to one daughter's big dog, and he's now very cautious around the big dog.  However, when big dog gets a toy, Trav will approach very slowly and carefully and gradually manage to take it away.  Big dog doesn't seem to mind, but Trav's 'language' is so funny and cautious!  He just can't stand to give up a toy!  With my other daughter's little dog, the pup will torment and torment and jump at his face and ears until finally Trav has had enough and growls.  Then little dog throws herself on her back and wiggles and generally says she's sorry--which lasts for a half hour or so.  The dog language is fascinating.