Older boxer wants to take all the puppy's toys away

[neraknna]

I was wondering if anyone could offer some advice on my situation. I have a 1 year old male,Peja and a new 12 week old female puppy,Meadow, that I got 3 weeks ago. The problem is that Peja will take away all the toys that are on the floor and keep them away from Meadow. Because I also have 3 children, Meadow is kept on a leash by my side much of the time to keep her were I can see her, away from the kids toys and potty accidents. I will put a few toys down for her to play with and Peja will always come and take them away and move them out of her reach. Peja loves to play tug of war with Meadow, just doesn't want her to have any fun by herself.

 

[Scrapper's Mom]

Maybe those are his toys. Have you gotten new toys for the puppy, so she doesn't play with the other dog's toys? I have a 3 year old male and a 6 mos old female and Scrapper is very particular about certain of his toys. His frisbee(s) and his holey roller, those are his special ones. He doesn't want Holly to ever have them. But the other ones, he is more generous with. However, even though he takes them away from her, he does it very gently and never snarls or growls.

And whenever I give them a treat, I always give them both the same thing at the same time. You have to be careful to make sure the older one doesn't feel pushed out of the way by all the attention the puppy is getting.

 

[neraknna]

taking away toys

Yes, I bought all new toys for both dogs. Peja takes them all away, old and new.He is never mean about it, just doesn't want her to have them.

 

[JulieM]

Normally I would say, "Let him take them." They'll figure it out for themselves. However, you're changing things by having the puppy leashed to you - she can't go after him to take the toys back if she wants to. What happens when she's not leashed to you? You could keep the male out of the room when she's leashed, I suppose, so that she has a chance to play with her toys. I would not take the toys away from him to give back to her, though.

I do agree that all toys belong to you; I don't agree with picking them up when you aren't playing with them unless there are leadership issues. We have a big toybox in the corner that anyone can pull a toy out of whenever they want - provided they let me take the toy from them whenever I want. There are certain toys that are higher value, and if someone gets a little too possessive I take it away (growling and grumbling, a bit of air snapping doesn't count here; however when the dog with the toy chases after the dog walking through the room 10 feet away, that's too much guarding ). Otherwise, the dogs work it out on their own - and I will say that none of the fights/scuffles we've had have been over a toy. (Knock wood!)

 

[Evie&Adam]

I agree with Julie. They dogs will work it out on their own. My problem is just the opposite!! Evie will let Adam take any toy or bone away from her! Then she come crying to me to get it back LOL Lots of woowoos and chewbaca talk! If I ignore Evie's chatting, she will eventually take it back from Adam - eventually!!! When Adam was smaller than Evie, she would be gentle with him - now - forget it!! she pounds him! LOL anywho, they work things out on their own very well.

 

[kassa]

I've got a 5 year old and a 10 week old now -- he definitely will claim toys, but with the understanding that she will try to get them back, and they will have a grand time "fighting" over them. When he actually DOES want to be left alone with them, he can communicate that in no uncertain terms. Otherwise, they will both growl and posture and she will make a big show of pouncing back and forth and dashing forward to try to get the toy away from him.

Sounds like it's the leashing that's thwarting this natural style of play. Can you get some baby gates and create a pen or a room where they can play together loose? Perhaps put down some scatter rugs in the kitchen and let them loose there under your close supervision?

It's good exercise for both, and amusing for you

 

[lisabethshaw]

Wow! Us, too!

Our one year old, Shiva, takes toys away from our 10.5 week old, Kali. We did get new toys, but I don't think he cares about the toys - he loves the chase! If she won't chase him, he'll bring it over to her, let her reach out for it, then start running again. What a tease! Last night, though, they ended up on opposite ends of a rawhide stick, chewing together!

Someone mentioned in a post (and I've heard before) that females are dominant over males - is this always the case? I've read posts about when this change of power takes place... No time soon, for us, of course. She'll have to be pretty quick to win this keep-away game!

Lisa

 

[kassa]

Most males will defer to a bitch. Not always, but pretty close to it, especially if she feels strongly about something.

I don't think it's gallantry, exactly. More like they don't sweat the small stuff as much.

And the girls are generally smarter!

 

[lisabethshaw]

Kassa-

Thanks for the response. Our female (Kali) is already much snarlier than our male (Shiva). He took her rawhide stick (a big one meant for him!) away from her yesterday and she flipped out until he finally let her have it for a few minutes! I couldn't believe it. She's still only a 6th of his size!

I guess Shiva is really a big, hyper softy at heart!

Lisa

 

[dagney's mom]

we have a ten month male (dagney) and a 14 week old female (lilah)... dagney always takes her toys and runs around with them... i feel bad that lilah doesn't get as much toy time. however, if we put out two toys for them, they only want to play with the same one! if lilah takes the toy from dagney, he sits and cries! but if lilah wants the toys, she makes noises like the devil has possessed her!