Puppy Fights

[PEA]

Hello,

I hope someone can help me decide if this is a problem or just play. We brought our 9 week old female Rottie home last weekend. This is our second Rottie our first died last January, so its been almost 10 years since we've had a rottie pup. At the time we got the first pup we hade a male & female pug each about 6years old.

Today we have a eight month old Shiba Inu, whos about 20 pounds. The shiba and baby girl Rottie get along well together. Sometime the Shiba will steal a toy from our Rottie, Brandi, is playing with and Brandy will start chasing her around the chairs in the living room. Then the Shiba will give the toy back and brandy will start running around the chairs with the shiba chasing her.

The problem is sometimes they play fight and I'm concerned about that. They both grab a hold of the fur around the neck and pull on it or they open there mouths and flash teeth at each other. They usually end up with one on top of the other. Sometimes it's the Shiba on her back but more often it Brandi on her back.

Is it okay to let them play like this? I plan on taking Brandi to training (puppy Kindergarten) when she's 12 weeks old and I don't want her to be aggresive towards the other pups.

Thanks for any comments.
Paul

[Loki's Mom]

It sounds like playing to me...As long as they are not trying to kill each other. Loki(18 mo.) and Dozer (4 mo) do that constantly! Usually Loki on her back and Dozer on top biting at her neck. Loki will pick up a bone or toy and take it to Dozer, when he tries to grab it from her, she'll turn her head away. They really love each other. As long as one is not obviously hurting the other, I let them go at it....the only way I can stop them is to crate them and I don't like doing that. JMO:)

[Rick Walker]

I agree-it sounds like playing to me as well. My rotties rip and tear through the house and yard, wrestling, barking, and showing teeth all the time. Then, 2 minutes later, they are on the couch laying on top of each other fast asleep! It is quite comical!

Also, if the younger dog has a toy, my older one has to get it. They will grab each other's toys and run away or they will use the toy to bait one another into a match. They are just like 2 little kids!

I wouldnt worry about it. I have taken my dogs to class and they react fine with other dogs. As a matter of fact, my rotties are the only dogs that dont bark at class!

Rick Walker:D

[Carina43]

Oh gosh, sounds like normal puppy play to me! I wish I could show you the photos I have of 10 week old Cooper playing with the 3 month old Cocker a friend of mine has (back when they were sorta the same size, now Cooper outweighs her by about 90lbs!)
All open mouths & sharp puppy teeth, they look like they're trying to murder each other...too cute. :)

Just be aware that since they're both females one may try challenging for top dog when they get a bit older, watch for that. However lots of people have same-sex dogs living harmoniously together, both my girls are fine.

[yuki]

My 4 months old male puppy and 9 months old female rotts playing like that all the time together. They absolutely love it. It looks so scary sometimes but there was never any injury. However our trainer and breeder both said that we shouldn't let them play together a lot because puppy will get more attached to a dog than to us. Trainer even said to separate them completely until puppy is at least 6-7 months old. It's impossible living at the same house but we minimize their wrestling time as much as we can. Sometimes, especially after weekends, if puppy spent too much time playing with female he wouldn't come to us and really rather be with her. All those plays didn't change female, she still rather be with me and play with me than with him.

[PEA]

Thanks for all your help. It makes me feel better knowing that this is just puppy fighting.

Paul