Two Puppies, nonstop play help!

[BerneBrian]

I have a 7 month old bernedoodle who was so amazing that we wanted another. So we went out and bought a second. I now have two amazing puppies but I'm concerned about there older pup constantly playing. The young one cannot run without being knocked over. When they play on the floor and the little one decides it's time to self play with one of her toys, the older one instantly runs over and takes it from her. If hey both had identical toys, the older invariably wants he one he doesn't have. I know they are playing nice but it doesn't seem healthy (mentally) for the younger one to be constantly pestered. Any pointers on how to deal with this without punishing the dear older one?

[Adina P]

Give them some solo time.  It's good for them to bond to you most anyway.  It's not punishment to crate one for a bit and then swap.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

When we brought AnnaBelle home Lucy was 5 and we had a foster at the time.  AB and the foster got along great, but it was non-stop play.  Lucy hated AB so she didn't want to play and AB didn't understand.  I set up a playpen area for AB to give everyone a break.  

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

This is just about the same age difference between my two Doodles.  They are now ages 7 and 8, and the both still want whatever toy the other one has.  For the most part they do work it out.  Because my younger standard Dood can be a bit "pushy", with his mini Doodle "brother" if I see that he is keeping a toy to himself I will take it and give it to the other one.  If I see him go to take it back I will verbally correct and he backs off.  He knows that I'm the one who controls the toys, so he accepts that I can give toys and take them away.  I also agree that a little separate play time can be a good thing, especially for the puppy.

[DonMarie and Picco]

Cute doodles!   This is interesting because we will be getting another pup when my husband retires and need to soak up some good advise beforehand.  

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

My two are seven months apart. Although they share a dad and their mothers are essentially the same size, 20 month old Desi is much heavier and stockier than 13 month old Cori. He's 45 pounds; she's 25 pounds. When their play requires strength, he's usually the "winner" but if it involves speed, Desi doesn't stand a chance. They seem to know that and accept it.

With toys, we usually have the nightly ballet - Desi tries to bogart both balls, Cori swoops in and takes one, Desi waits until she's distracted to retrieve it, and so it goes. Rarely do we need to step in. They have it handled.

[Ginny Nightingale]

I had two pups at once that were a year apart but still could not control the level of activity for about two weeks--then the novelty was over and they could be calm together--but both were older when i got them.

I would say that you should definitely give the younger pup a play area without the older one and then allow them to play together with supervision now and then--and keep all the younger pup's toys in his play area and away from the other dog for now. He needs to feel more confident and less dominated as he grows up--my younger one is the toy hog and will ignore a toy for years until someone else picks it up--then it is very desirable--so this is normal stuff as long as it does not escalate into a fight (very rare). But the puppy could really have hip and joint issues if he is knocked around all the time by the older one. Not good.

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

Lots of good pointers here.  I'll just add that I also think too rough play can lead to joint, stifle (knee) issues.  I let Skadi romp crazily before she turned 2 and she ended up with a torn ligament because the stifle hadn't developed and strengthened.  Enjoy!