Naughty dog!

[gizmoluvsme]

I need help! I have an 11 month old female white boxer, Maggie. And a 10 month old fawn male boxer, Jakey. They are the best of friends and love to play together. My problem is that when we let the puppies outside, if we just let them run and not leash Jakey, he will bite at Maggie's ear and head. She comes inside and has blood all over her from Jakey doing this. If we leash Jakey then it isnt as bad. This behavior does not happen in the house. We have a large yard where they are able to run and play but we have had to leash Jake to protect Maggie. I dont think he is doing it to be mean or because he doesnt like her. Im thinking its more that he doesnt realize that he is hurting her. Anyone have any advice???

Maggie and I thank you in advance!!

 

[srennie]

Well, this is a tricky one. Our boston used to do this to our previous boxer. He'd jump up and grab his jowls and Sanford always had scabs on the sides of his face. I could never understand why Sanford allowed Hurley to do that to him. So, I realized that I needed to step in and teach Hurley how to play nicely. To do this I had to be close enough to call Hurley off when he got too carried away. Like you said, he wasn't being mean, he was just playing and getting overly excited. I came up with a word that didn't sound like any other command they knew...'break' as in 'break it up' or 'take a break'. I'd use it if they got too rough in the house or if I was just play tired of listening to them 'wrestle'. I was able to then transfer the word to outside if Hurley started the jumping up and grabbing his jowls. Funny thing is he's never done this to our new boxer. He must know she won't tolerate it. Maybe he did try it once and she told him to knock it off. I just don't think there is a way to train the tolerant one to put a stop to it so you'll have to do it. Maybe get a really long lead and use it to reel him in when he gets too crazy. Our yard is small enough that I could just step between them and say, "break".

 

[LILYLARUE]

I agree, you have to be the one to teach him appropriate play. That will take lots of footwork on your part. Keep him on a leash but not necessarily hold on to it as long as you can keep up with their play. When you see him getting "bitey" call his name, lightly take his collar, wait til he looks in your eye and then release again to play. This should take 3-5 secs. where you have his complete attention. (I would hold my overplayful dog until I would see his pupils decrease in size, always an indicator for him that he is too excited and too obsessive with play). You can also start using the cue "gentle". You will find yourself taking his collar quite often. I wouldn't use treats as they can keep the dog riled up, plus you don't want to reinforce his rough play. As the days go on, you will be taking his collar less and less.

The goal is to stop his biting, get his attention, distract his thought, lower his energy, then release to play again. The way this will work is to do it EVERY TIME they play together. To skip a session will only set progress back. In reality, you are teaching him what is acceptable and what is not. By catching him each and every time, will make his brain eventually stop the biting where blood is drawn. He needs to learn some bite inhibition during excitable play.

 

[gizmoluvsme]

Thanks for the great, great advice! I will try the distracting with Jakey and see if it helps. We all know how boys are....even doggy boys!