Rough Play question?

[rms78645]

Deuce is 15 weeks old. My parents have a 9 month old lab, about 90 lbs and my girlfriend has a rotty, about 120 lbs or so. Deuce loves them both but the play can get quite rough. He keeps going back for more though. The lab mouths him but he seems to be pretty soft with him. Deuce spends alot of time on his back! Showing submission I assume. But then he gets up and grabs jowls and gives kisses. The rotty tries to sit on him and we stopped it and now he lowers his shouders to get him off him but again, Deuce keeps going back for more. My husband thinks I shouldnt allow it. He thinks that hes going to get hurt. I am always there. Hes getting bigger, obviously, and hes eventually going to right there, size wise with them both. Is it ok to let him play? Theres no growling or hair up or anything. they are all just playing. Deuce is just light in the behind right now!. Any thoughts>?

[Judi W]

Well, others might not agree, but as long as I judge the other dogs as being fair handed and that they are not going to actually kill my pup dead, I let them go. It is an excellent way for the pup to learn when limits have been reached, when it is smart to give in, and that they can test their strength.

[babybluetx23]

I agree with Judi. Let them work it out as long as they arent hurting one another. When someone lets out a yelp, then you can break it up, check em out and if no one is hurt, dotn make a big deal out of it and let them continue. Harley has only yelped once during play, I walked over, didnt say a word, looked him over and told him to get over it, Go play. I never baby talked him and told him it was ok. Just looked him over and told him to get over it and go play. I think he got his Ego hurt rather then his physical self.

[Tag]

I am by no means an expert, but I have noticed that Tag seems to know when he is in over his head and will come to me at that point. We spend hours at the local dog park every week, so he interacts with many different dogs of all sizes. I just let them work it out themselves as long as no dog is obviously annoyed (showing teeth, raised hair ect...) But that is just me. Some people at the park remove their dog as soon as the play gets a little rough.

[rms78645]

He is SOOO excited to see them and he wants to play so badly that it would kill him to not let him play. My sister has a boxer thats not been sociallized alot and hes really high strung and he just paces away from Deuce. deuce just follows him around. Wont the other dog let him know when they have had enough of him? She doesnt think her dog will. I dont baby him at all. I want him to figure this stuff out. I think he yelps in anticipation sometimes. But he just keeps going at it. I figure he'd come to me when hes had enough. Its never happened. Hes a pretty confident little guy. Which I like. He doesnt shy away from much. He thinks hes pretty tough with the cows but if they come towards him he throws it in reverse a little! hehe My parents have 10 acres and he goes into the large stock area and follows the lab forever. He has a great time. They both fall into a heap the night of our visits so it works for everyone. Thanks

[babybluetx23]

Originally Posted by rms78645

Wont the other dog let him know when they have had enough of him? She doesnt think her dog will.

Sometimes they will and sometimes they wont. Your best bet is to stay around and watch for the typical signs of aggression. (Stiffening up, raised hackles, curling of lips, ect.) If none of that happens they should be ok around one another. Typically dogs do let one another know when they have had enough, but it is best to side on the err of caution, just stick around and supervise the playing. Other then that, Have fun watching them!

[rott'nrottie]

Daisy's primary playmate is a 3 year old female GSD that is very passive. At first, when Daisy mouthed and tried to get rowdy, the GSD doesn't do much about it other than try to get away. It didn't take her long to put Daisy in her place, though. All she does is snap back and maybe bark, and Daisy slows down and plays nice.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is pretty much echoeing everyone else. As long as their is control and they're not trying to hurt one another, a little rough housing isn't going to hurt.

[RottDogLvr]

When I got my female (Pandie), my male (Bear) was already 100lbs. He used to play rough with her and pin her down with his large paws. He never intentionally hurt her, a little wimper now & then but nothing serious. She would come by me when she had enough or Bear would jump on the bed or couch to get away from her. Now they are 7 & 8 respectively and Pandie is the boss. Soon as she was big enough to take control, she made sure her brother knew it. My niece also has a lab puppy and we just let him play with both of my two. Now when my two have enough they take turns pinning down the lab with their paws, until he settles down. It's actually cute and funny to watch. I just love my babies.