Hana plays very aggressively with other puppies

[Lisa Raskind]

We have worked hard to socialize Hana (10 weeks today) with people, but she hasn't played with a lot of other dogs.  The few times she has (both puppies), she seemed very dominant, chasing, biting and growl/yelping.  She is pushy about getting her way with me and my husband but not at all aggressive.  I can take away her food, toys, bones, etc.  She has a soft mouth with us if she does attempt to chew on us.  She seems docile and comfortable when meeting new people, and loves to be petted or held by them.  

Any suggestions/comments?  We want her to go to doggy daycare (our last dog's favorite place in the world), but her behavior worries us.

Thanks to all once again.  Lisa

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

My guess is that it is all normal puppy behavior. If she is playing too aggressively, most dogs will let her know by either snapping at her or running away. 

My Winnie was the same way when she was a puppy- she played rough. Actually, she still does, and she just turned 4! We started her at a doggy daycare right after she finished the recommended vaccinations, and she did great. Dogs in a daycare tend to gravitate towards though those that have similar personalities.  

[Kaitee and Orwell]

Orwell was a bit much for most other dogs when he was a puppy too. I found that socializing him with older, more mature dogs helped a lot because they would correct his behavior for me. 

Are you going to take her to puppy class? Having a trainer there while socialization occurs is also helpful.

[Lisa Raskind]

Thanks, you would think I would stop worrying so much about the kids at this point in my life, but alas, I guess it just comes with being a mom.  Since I posted, Hana played with an older, more aggressive dog, and she got served!  You both made me feel much better.  We are starting doggy daycare at 12 weeks, and then a puppy class the end of March.  Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

[Stacy]

When Katie was in puppy class there was a puppy who was more... exuberant than she was. I didn't swoop in to rescue her, because she didn't really seem distressed and they were pretty evenly matched, and I think it's important for dogs to figure out dog behavior when they're little and can't really hurt one another. I probably looked like  it was all I could do not to save her though. The trainer came up to me and said look at them, every time that other dog lets Katie up she goes back for more. And she did. She wasn't looking to be rescued. They were playing. It only looked like they were killing one another. 

Maggie and Katie play hard, and Maggie has a good 20 pounds on Katie. I worried a little, but they seem fine. Maggie's got Katie by a leg, Katie's got Maggie by the ear. They both come up smiling and go at it again. Katie instigates the play almost as often as Maggie does. I think sometimes we just don't recognize that sort of play because it looks violent. With puppies, as long as there's not a huge size discrepancy and no one seems distressed I would just let them figure it out. They're learning good communication skills.