Dog Community

Two Pups playing (Agression)????

Posted : 4/1/2006 11:14:12 AM

I have two pups. One is five months old and the other is nine weeks old. They love to play together and seem to play real well together. They don't bite each other hard, but they do bite "at" each other in a playful manner. So far I have not heard a yelp from either one.
When they are through playing, they will lie next to each other and sleep. The little one will even lay on top of the older one. Out in the yard or inside, they

lay "keep away" and "tug-a-war" with their toys. Yet, I haven't heard a vicious growl from either one.
I am glad that they get along so well, but I am concerned it could be a problem in the future. I have thought about limiting some of their play time together and keep them seperated with some different toys so they can play by themselves. When they are awake, all they want to do is play, play, and play together. I'm afraid it might make them "rowdy" when they grow up.
Anyway, I was wondering what your thought are on this.
Thanks!

denise_m

Posted : 4/2/2006 3:35:25 PM

Sounds absolutely normal and healthy to me!

agilebcs

Posted : 4/3/2006 2:54:43 PM

Sounds like 2 normal puppies playing together!

You are right to be thinking about limiting their time together. Not only do you want them to have time alone but you want them to have time one on one with you. The problem with 2 puppies together is that they quickly bond to each other and not to you.

If it were me, I'd have them crated separately, probably in different rooms, they have separate training session, separate play sessions with me and very limited time playing together if at all for several months.

What are your plans for these pups? If they are to just be pets then it's not as big a concern but if at some point you want them to want to work with you (be it obedience, agility, hunting, etc.) then you need to make some changes.

glenmar

Posted : 4/3/2006 3:01:02 PM

While littermates will often bond more closely with one another than with their humans, I don't think that is an issue with pups several months apart in age. Yes, I would spend quality time alone with each pup, but I certainly would not put their crates in separate rooms or restrict their time together.

My shepherds range from almost 9 months to almost 4 years in age. They love being together and they love being with us. All 6 of them do get some one on one time daily and I'm surrounded most of the time by all six of them. As I said, much as they love one another, I'm still the mommy......

Mic

Posted : 4/3/2006 3:07:59 PM

and very limited time playing together if at all for several months.

I have to completely disagree with this. I would encourage you to follow Agile's other directions but not this one. If you train them separately and together, and crate them separately you are not going to have the bonding issue. They should play together enough each day to wear each other out. I probably wouldn't limit there play time until I was ready for them to calm down.

There play sounds very normal...actually better than most.

agilebcs

Posted : 4/3/2006 3:13:42 PM

Yes, disregard that part. It's something I'd do but I ask my dogs to have a good working relationship with me, more so than if they were simply pets. I wouldn't limit a pups time with other adult dogs because they teach puppies so much but I would limit it with another pup in the house.

mudpuppy

Posted : 4/4/2006 8:51:12 AM

so you're saying you can't develop a good working relationship with a

uppy if it is allowed to have fun with other puppies????? nonsense. In fact, counter-productive. You want YOU to be the most interesting thing in your puppy's life. If your puppy is allowed to eat as much liver as he wants every day, liver becomes un-valuable. If your puppy is allowed to play with other puppies as much as he wants, every day, access to other

uppies and dogs becomes un-valuable. If on the other hand liver or puppy-play time is limited, they become valuable. Possibly more valuable than boring old mom. Just make sure you spend a lot of quality time with each pup one-on-one, and try to be as fun and fascinating as possible, and you'll be fine.

Kara

Posted : 4/4/2006 7:06:04 PM

et it happen. Saves you having to exercise them. et the love in!

teufelhund

Posted : 4/5/2006 11:29:30 AM

In a similiar situation. i have a 9 month aussie and a 3 month aussie.

Is there anythign i should watch out for in regards to toys? The older
aussie(deunan) loves to grab a toy and prance around like she is dancing
taunting the pup. The puppy growls a lot, but im assuming it is puppy
growling and not aggression growling.(deunan will growl when you play
tug with her, same kind of growl)

Sometimes Adyin will run around with a small tuft of deunans hair in
his mouth too.

Deunan can be so cruel.. last night right as we put Adyin in his crate,
deunan took the rope bone, plopped it in front of his gate, and dragged
it about 5 ft away. Kind of like 'ha ha!'. They do seem to have fun
together tho.

christina

Posted : 4/5/2006 12:45:50 PM

teufelhund - i have no advice for you, but i wanted to say that your two aussies sound like typical siblings! i feel bad for the baby, but your story made me laugh and remember what it was like teasing my little sisters growing up.... good luck!

spiritdogs

Posted : 4/7/2006 3:13:47 PM

It's something I'd do but I ask my dogs to have a good working relationship with me, more so than if they were simply pets.

I also ask my dogs to have a good working relationship with me, and they are more than pets. (I hate the term "simply" pets - to me, it infers "less than". In the same way that stay at home moms have an important job, so do family dogs!) At any rate, I allow as much interspecific playtime as the dogs want, for the most part. I do train them both separately and together, and I occasionally pick out a "dog of the day" who gets special training in a fun location, or just a pleasure outing all alone with me. I want my dogs to think I am the bearer of all resources, and the best thing since sliced bread - but in a way that reinforces my position as leader. So far, it seems to be working...