How do Boxer pups "play"?

[Bogey&me]

I took Bogey over to my moms house this weekend to play with some beagle pupppies my brother has. At first he was very timid and shy he was almost crawling on his belly and they were all doing alot of sniffing. Then the beagles were sniffing on him and got him on his back, for a few seconds this was ok with him then he took a disliking to it. He started growling and biting their back. He targeted one on the pups and started straddling her and growling.

He wouldn't leave them alone to the point they started running from him. He started his growling and biting on one of them and she had enough and really lit into him with a growl and a charge, he then ran away (tail tucked). Shortly after that he started up again. He would run up to them and "poke" them with his nose and bark and growl.

I'm just wondering, never having had a boxer puppy before, if this was normal puppy play? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[boxer]

Well boxer pups do play pretty vocally and a little roughly. How old are the beagles? Wouldn't want to overwhelm them if they're significantly younger than Bogey. I'd be a little concerned about vaccinations and spreading diseases too, allowing Bogey to interact with them if the beagles are just babies still with their mother.

It is good for puppies (after they've left their litter) to play with other puppies of their own age. But it is also good for them to interact with patient older dogs who can teach them a bit about social ettiquette and other niceties. It sounds to me as though Bogey is really being a typical puppy, but needs a bit more socialisation within his own age group and above.

 

[Bogey&me]

Thanks

Thanks for the reply it makes me feel a little better, I thought with all the straddling and growling that he was being a bit to dominant. Both the beagle pups and Bogey have had their shots, (they are all 9 weeks). I made sure to call the Vet before I let them play, they said it should be ok.

He is entolledI've him enrolled in puppy training next week so he'll get more socialization with puppies his age. There are a couple of dogs in the neighborhood, but one is a Jack Russel that has had a run-in with some labs and another dog in the area, so I think I'll steer clear of him for a while. The next door neighbor has a smaller shitz-zu (sp?) but he's timid around other dogs so I don't know how that'll go either.

I don't want a problem child, but I want him to have his fun at the same time.

 

[boxer]

Sounds good If they're all the same age, it should be fine to let them play. That, plus the puppy kindergarten classes should give him lots of good initial socialisation experiences. From the sound of things, I'd avoid your local dogs for a while too. Puppies gain a lot from interacting with older dogs, but they do need to be well-mannered and patient older dogs If there's doubt about that, you're best to avoid them and try to find alternatives at a later date.

 

[gustus]

Boxer play

We have our 2nd Boxer, Tucker, 4 months old and he plays much the same way that Bogey does. He's interacted with all ages and sizes of dogs and demonstrates the same behaviors as our first Boxer, Gus. They do tend to play rough and in unique ways, like putting their paws up on other dogs, tending to seem very aggressive to other dogs not used to it. If you just let them play though, the other dogs get used to it and tend to become great buds. Hang in there!

 

[BeckyNC]

It sounds like your pup is playing as any Boxer would. One thing I have learned is some dogs just do not care for Boxer-style play. The first time Tae met my neighbors dog, she tried to box him. He snarled. Since then (in a span of 12 mos), he's tried to attack her without provocation twice. I don't know if she "turned him off" during the first meeting or if she has a smell he doesn't care for.

 

[marks66772]

Boxer Pup (F) Playing with older Boxer (M)

We have just brought home Roxy, a 3 month-old Female brindle. We already have a Boxer boy, 27 months. You should see these two play. Tugs of war, keep away, poking, pawing. OK sometimes Roxy gets knocked down, but feisty little thing that she is, she gets up and goes for more. Fortunately, Jackson is very gentle with her. If as if he knows she's a baby, and he should be careful.

She goes at him with both paws, and it's a riot. So far, no growling, and no biting. They're having a blast. This should prepare her for doggie day care, and socializing with other dogs.