Hi I'm new to this forum, I have just bought a GSP nine weeks old, I also have a six month old lab cross viszla my lab is very full on easily hyped up, I need some advice, I'm having to keep the pup and lab separated because what starts of as play ends in the lab being to rough and clumsy and my new pup is being very aggressive snarling and biting my lab making her yelp, she won't tell her off because she is very well natured. The breeder suggested that I should just let them get on with it but I'm not so sure that is right, when I do keep them apart the new puppy jumps on the lab and it all starts again they will sleep together some times and chew on a toy together but when they start to mouth each other it all starts again. The pup is crate trained and sleeps in there at night and in the day, I have booked my new pup in for puppy socialisation classes but would appreciate some advice before this starts, thanks Deb.
Think you've got your work cut out Deborah,two puppies together will always play and end up not listening to you,making training hard.other than keeping them as separate as possible till their abit older I don't know what to suggest.at least you've got a crate for some time out .x
Hi thanks for your reply I suppose I'm just worried that the new puppy is aggressive or is she just defending herself? She is already quite bold and persistent, just need some advice as my dog trainer is on holiday. X
It's probably just play but they learn off other dogs ,wouldn't say she's aggressive more than likely sticking up for herself,which is good in one sense! I wouldn't just let them get on with it,as the breeder says,the lab x sounds like trying to be the top dog,but the pup could gets hurt.you'll more than likely be constantly supervising them till they get bit older and wiser.sorry can't be much help deb x
Having 6 dogs I get this all the time, what you have to do is stop the play fight as soon as it starts to get rough
Hi Deb, it is notoriously difficult to train two puppies at the same time so I would recommend some reading on training in general (The Culture Clash is a good book). With regards to the aggressiveness, it is quite possible that the younger puppy is scared which is resulting in this behaviour, either way, as the owner I would want to stop any behaviour (whether boisterousness from the older pup, to the aggressiveness of the younger now) by letting the dogs know it is not acceptable with a firm 'no'.
Yes I am keeping them separated in different rooms but with a stair gate so they can still meet and greet, letting them out at different times and letting them play together at different times but as soon as the rough play starts I separate them and say no to both of them, it is still the puppy that starts the rough play biting the lab on her genitals and belly as if she knows that's going to hurt more, I rang the dog trainer today and arranged for the puppy to start socialisation classes on Thursday , she wasn't very positive about the outcome of having to dogs under two of the same gender, I feel a bit deflated now , surely I'm not the only person to have two dogs under two, looking forward to seeing what the puppy is like with puppies the same age at socialisation classes , thanks for chatting with me. Deb.
dont lose hope. my mum has 2 westie boys from same litter. They used to fight alot. A firm telling off and being separated helped. Had to be carefull about picking when to get involved as sometimes its just harmfull puppy play but had to jump in before it turned in to a full blown fight. Im sure the trainer will help and if not then maybe a new trainer is in order as its a very old school way of thinking about same gender dogs not being in same house. You need to find ways to get them together happily, take advantage of times of the day when they are calmer and walk them together. Separation of the dogs cant be a long term solution so getting them together is key, keeping them separate all the time is only going to drag this out.
I got 6 dogs (mum dad & their 4 hooligans) I got 2 male & 2 female hooligans who are going to be 5 years old in 9 days time, as soon as play got rough they were put in separate rooms for 10 mins they soon learnt to play nicely. They still have the odd out burst but I quickly separate them x
Yes, I believe in the 'time out' principle too. Another tip is not to do any training (which involves your full attention and rewards), in front of the other puppy. I've found that nothing provokes jealousy faster. Also I agree with Katie about walking them together. There's nothing like exercise to release the tension, and make dogs realise that it can be fun having a friend!
Your dog trainer doesn't sound very helpful deb! I agree with walking the dogs together though,when I had my puppy I made sure they all walked together from the start to get a bond.then if she needed walking on her own later then so be it.im sure there are plenty people in or have been in your situation,don't feel deflated.its hard work but will be worth it
