We have two males, one who is a 22 month old Weimaraner (Tilla) and we recently got an 8 month old Lurcher cross from a rescue centre (Vasu).  Our weim is really friendly and although big (37 kgs) is very gentle with Vasu.  We had a difficult first few weeks as Vasu was scared and nervous but he has his confidence now and it is settling down nicely.  The only problems remain is that Vasu continually wants to play with Tilla and becomes over zealous with his mouthing, nipping the ears and mouth of Tilla quite nastily.  He has been told off by Tilla a few times, but Vasu still persists.  We are teaching Vasu, the ouch!! for biting and he is gentler with us but not Tilla.  Vasu is a lovely natured dog, but a bit exciteable but is improving.  We crate him when he refuses to settle down with Tilla as he seems unable to relax when Tilla is around.  If Vasu is on his own, then he seems a lot quieter.  Is this normal? We would like Vasu to learn that it is OK to play but he must settle when they have both had enough, and we really dont want to keep crating him.

Any advice

You do not mention if both dogs are entire.  As a rule we never recommend that two male Weimis are kept together and rescue will not place a male with another but a female.  The age difference is also not large therefore you may have some problems particularly if the rescue is not castrated, when his hormones start kicking in in a couple of months. Unfortunately separating  them  is short term management and not likely to solve things.  I would advise you to be very observant.

HTH

They are both castrated, the initial problem was that the rescue was humping everything, especially our weim so we had him castrated, since then he his humping has calmed down, if not all but stopped.  The play is not aggressive, but Vasu becomes over zealous and I could see it getting that way.  The difference in size is obviously a problem, the rescue being only 12.5 kgs, but he does detach when Tilla tells him off, which is not too often.  The mouthing sometimes just looks so rough, we have always taught Tilla to be gentle with his mouth.  Other than this problem all the signs are really good.  They walk fine together, play with the toys and genuinely seem to look for each other and like each other.  Tilla (the weim) just gets a little tired of the continual play thing and ends up lying on the floor, near Vasu obviously wanting to sleep.  Is the continual mouthing at 8 months normal?  Before we got him Vasu had been left on his own for 3 months all day with no socialisation before being given to the rescue centre and we took Tilla to meet him before we brought him home. Being a novice, my theory is that Vasu is at last beginning to learn how to interact with other dogs as he is pulling madly at every dog and person in the park. Vasu has been off lead at the park with dogs we know and trust, so we are trying to socialise hime.  Although no expert, I think the signs are good, I suppose I would like to get the mouthing and play under control so that they can relax together.

Dogs at this age will be a pain but it is surprising how vigorous dogs do play together; personally I would not interfere unless blood is being drawn it is usually human interference that causes the problem!  However that is not to say that making sure the older dog does get a bit of peace and quiet on a regular basis should not be continued, using the crate if necessary.

regards

Thanks for your advice, it makes all the difference when you can air your concerns with people that have had the experience.

I am sure that we will have other problems, I am sure that I will post again soon.

Regards