Puppy Play gone BAD...what to do now?

[Julie Mison]

Our 11 week Chewie has played with the Border Collie Pup across the street several times. The other pup is bigger and 2 weeks older. To begin with, the other dog was much more passive and CHewie would jump on him and go after him a bit. Then, they seemed to really mesh and take turns on top and bottom. They were really playing nice.

Yesterday, the pup came across to play and my mom said they were not playing nice so they ended the play. Last night, I took Chewie over there to see the other pup and the other pup was on his outdoor leash on the ground. Immediately, the other dog became very agressive with him and kept throwing Chewie over. I intervened as he was being VERY rough and got them a part. Chewie then tried to jump up to him and the other dog continued to throw him down. It got so bad, Chewie couldn't get away from him and I believe they started biting each other more than what seemed to be playful. I think Chewie cried. All the while, I tried to break it up and finally did and took Chewie home.

It all happened so fast...it was hard to know exactly what happened. I do think the other pup was the aggressor and Chewie was trying to get away. (This is a change as Chewie had been seemingly more the stronger willed one other play dates).

I now don't know what to do. Should they not play together again? I do not want Chewie to be afraid of other doggies. We did check Chewie over to make sure he was ok. He had a scratch of sorts on his belly and some wet fur near his back and neck.

Any input or advice is appreciated. Thanks!

[Adina P]

Hmmm...it's difficult to say for sure without having witnessed it. Had they ever played while one of them was ON leash before?

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

I don' t think the playing on leash is a good idea, at dog parks they never recommend keeping your dog on a leash unless your leaving. If you think they are playing to rough and it is not puppy play, carry a bottle of Vinegar Water and spray it at their mouths to break them up, or use a shaker can to deter them. This very well could be how that other dogs breed (Border Collie) plays, not that they are aggressive or mean. Border Collies also are herding dogs, and they tend to boss things around, or want the control. The Border Collie may think of playing as herding. I had a 6 month Mastiff puppy doing bascially the same thing, except it kept biting Honey on her back. If the owner of the Mastiff does nothing to stop this, than it's up to me to protect my own dog. If you feel the play was to rough than you need to do whatever to keep you and your pup happy, safe and healthy.

[April]

PLEASE don't punish them!!! Using a shaker can or vinegar can easily teach those puppies to not like other dogs. They are learning to communicate and need to continue to develop these skills not associate communicating with being punished. Separating them if things get too rough is a good idea but PLEASE don't use aversives such as these. I'm sure Hannah and Holly meant well but as a certified dog trainer I can tell you that these methods could easily back fire and create dogs who are fearful, intolerant or aggressive to other dogs.
Is either puppy in a kindergarten class yet? If not, I can't encourage you enough to get your baby signed up for one. You've got lots of good advice and I'm so glad things are going well with the playtime off leash.

[F, Calla & Luca]

My 2 can look very aggressive when they play but there is no growling. They toss each other over etc. Although the puppy is only 6 mos. she is almost as big as my older dog. They do get each other's fur wet from mock biting and occasionally there is a scratch. I only intervene with a verbal warning if there a real yelp. They don't cry etc. Generally I can tell it's all OK because they both come back for more and instigate the rough housing. This is all off leash, they never start up on leash.

[Sharon, Boo & Cricket]

Its hard to say without having seen them interact. But you may find these links helpful, they're about reading dogs' body language:

http://www.hssv.org/docs/behavior/dog_body_language.pdf
http://www.wagntrain.com/BodyLanguage.htm
http://www.diamondsintheruff.com/diagrams.html
http://www.dogwise.com/video/video.cfm?itemid=DTB1017

Hope that helps! :)

[Adrianne Matzkin]

If I understand they paly history, all was well until your neighbor's pup was on leash. On leash, some dogs become more 'agressive'. I wonder if it makes them feel that they have no control since they are on leash so they feel the need to show they are in control. Try again off leash and stand nearby and see how that goes.
Did Chewie see afraid once you separated them or did he want to go back for more? As difficult as it can be, don't show your feelings when they play together. Chewie can read your body language. Let us know how it goes.

Samantha gets scratches on her belly when playing with others also. Just wash it so it doesn't get infected.

[Julie Mison]

Just wanted to give you all an update....Chewie and the other pup have played again and very nicely.....off leash and not while the other dog is on a tether in his back yard. So....this mama has learned from her mistake! Thanks for ALL the input and suppport.

[Debbie and Thomas]

I am so glad. I was just going to add my two cents worth and then I read your update! Let them play again and again as these two puppies will grow up to be BEST FRIENDS. But never when one of them is on a leash. It just isn't fair-is it? You are so lucky to have a young puppy so close in age to yours just across the street. They will have a blast together!

[Elizabeth]

Sophie is 2 years old and I take her to the dog park a couple times a week. She has had a couple instances where she gets aggressive with another dog- at time sit's too hard to tell who was the aggressor. What I can tell you for sure, is that the more I bring her there, the better she behaves.
Also, there is a noticable difference in how she reacts to dogs on a leash- she is more excitable and aggresisve on leash- for many reasons I am sure- fear aggression being the likely reason. Going by what I have read, and what works for Sophie- The more they are exposed to each other- the better it should get as long as you work hard to praise the good behaviors and remove the dog when they are behaving in a way that is not appropriate.
Of course, Sometimes there are some dogs that just do not get along. There 6 british labs in our neighborhood all from the same parents, that are 2-4yrs old and all best friends- they all get along. Of course- sophie being the "odd duck" she gets along with most of them but not the alpha female of the group- they fight. I don't know that that is something I will be able to correct. Sophie wants to kick her butt and show her she is better and tougher and the leader...plain and simple. Sometimes you just have to pick your battles.