Mean Puppy......

[FlashyTitus]

I have a question about my new puppy Chloe. She is 9 weeks old and loves to play with Titus. During these play periods she gets very aggressive and bites into his neck and does her little shark shake. She will actually make him yelp at times. When I go to get her to make her stop she will growl and snap very aggressively. My question is should I give her a little shake by the skin on the back of her neck and tell her no like her mother would do or what? Titus is the best natured dog in the world. He is just laid back and relaxed as he can be with the exception of play time. Or should I just let him take care of the problem himself? Titus is 16 months and 68 lbs. Chloe is 9 weeks and 10 lbs. I know he doesnt want to harm her but this is getting old. This is the first time I have owned two boxers. Any experienced help would be appreciated.

 

[BRIDGIT]

Our older boxer Bailey was almost 6 years old when we got Jasmine. She was only 8 weeks old when we brought her home. In my situation Jasmine was constantly pestering Bailey. We rescued Bailey and don't know her exact history but know that she did have 2+ litters before we got her. I think because she was a mother before she *knew* how to correct Jasmine. They always have worked out their differences between themselves. We have never had any fights between the two though. Good luck!

 

[Boxer_21]

Your situation with Chloe and Titus sounds a lot like mine with Mason and Riley. Riley is also very laid back and patient with his baby bro, but sometimes it does look like Mason is getting really rough!! He likes to grab Riley's lips or checks and sometimes he'll grab his neck and shake it. Riley just sits there patiently waiting for Mason's release. Sometimes when I try to get Mason to let go, he also sounds aggressive.


To other people with multi boxers, is this normal puppy behavior?? Is it wise to let them settle things themselves or should they be broken up when it gets to loud (sounding aggressive)??

 

[bustermom]

Yes, this is normal. Puppies get granted a LOT of leeway from older dogs. Bites and welts around the neck and head of an older dog are very common - we've gone through our share of neosporin and peroxide.

And puppies play LOUD with other dogs, esp. once they're comfortable with them. They push their limits all the time. As they get get older/bigger, the older dog will start setting more obvious limits. I've recently noticed that our older dogs were setting limits early on, but it was usually too subtle to catch unless you knew what to look for. They'd pull away, or make stern eye contact, or physically restrain the pup with a paw over the shoulders... In time, that progressed to more obvious audible and physical cues.... A lifted lip to warn when play is getting too rough, a yelp to say "that hurt! enough already!".

Puppies are noisy, clumsy, rambunctious, and oftentimes obnoxious to their elders... but there are thresholds and limits will eventually be reached. Just as you can't expect to discipline a four month old child, while a two year old can learn that screaming at mom is inappropriate - puppies need to reach an age where discipline will make sense.

Sounds like both Titus and Riley are doing what would be expected - exhibiting patience with the young'uns. Over the next several months they'll lead by example, offer the minimum discipline necessary to modify a behavior, and teach the pup how to interact with other dogs.

It really is a joy to watch them grow and learn from their elders!

 

[Flint & GA]

We have experienced the exact same fighting with our female puppy Georgia who is now 16 weeks and our 2.5 year old male Flint. We have had her for 8 weeks now and the biting has cooled off somewhat. They still play pretty rough, but I've noticed that he is not coming away with as many battle scars on his face and neck. We try to put them in the yard when play time gets a little too rough in the house. He is able to avoid her a little better in the yard. Their playtime has now turned into mostly keep away with whatever one of them picks up first and chase. I've also recently noticed that he is not willing to take the amount of punishment he used to, he is now giving her back some of her own medicine with a quick knock down or shove. She still dive bombs him whenever she gets a chance, which is whenever he lies down. I'm sure this is all somekind of hunting and survival training for the young pups. It's funny to watch him pretend he isn't paying attention to her, while she is stalking him and coming up for the kill. I think my male actually enjoys training his little sister, the biting and scratches doesn't seem to deter him at all. I'm sure Chloe will learn to adjust her bite pressure on Titus and they will find many other ways to annoy each other soon enough.

 

[FlashyTitus]

Thanks alot for the replys. I really feel bad now for calling her mean. She's at the vet. She got very very sick last night. Started nomiting and had lots of diahrea along with a very high fever. I was worried that it might be parvo so my wife took her in to the vet this a.m. and he is keeping her until tomorrow. He had to give her a i.v. for dehydration. She has started eating and keeping it down and the diahrea has stopped. He is thinking that maybe its something she ate. She is a plant eater and we try to watch her really close. Does anyone know of a site that deals with poisonious plants? Anyway thanks alot.

 

[TracyLynn]

I did a quick search on the health issues forum and found this link. I remembered seeing it in the past. I hope it helps.



As for the playing, do not worry about it. The older dog will set the limits. My trainer called it a "puppy licence." Older dogs let a new puppy get away with all sorts or behavior that would be considered rude or annoying.

 

[TracyLynn]

It might help if the link was active!

http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20399&highlight=poisonous+plants+link

 

[FlashyTitus]

Well I got her back today. She seems to be doing fine. My wife found a site on the net http://www.dogpatch.org/doginfo/plants.html
and it lists lots of poisonous plants. I think we have everyone of them in our back yard. So from here on it's time to walk her out on a leash. I let her toss and tumble in the monkey grass and azaleas but they are off limits now. Thanks for the replys on the biting and growling. Its nice to know I don't have a Cujo on my hands. :p

 

[froggie]

Last summer when Spense was wee, he would play with the two boxer who lived next door and were 1year and 11/2 respectively. They granted him a lot of leeway when he was small, but began to put him into check as he grew. They were never violent, but the other dogs would grow a warning until Spense was calm, and then they would play some more. Spense learned what was acceptable playa and what wasen't and now can play nicely with any dog that will let him. So I am a firm believer that the older dog will set the limits.