By Guest
Date 07.07.05 13:49 UTC
We have three pups in the family. They don't all live together, I have one, my two sisters also have one each. We have a 7 month old, and two 10 week old. One is a boxer, the other a dally, and the other a cocker spaniel.
Now the boxer gets on well with the dally and the spaniel. not a problem, but the dally does nip so much, we are just lucky that the boxer is so laid back. But when the dally nipps the spaniel, the spaniel really does bark and nipps back. Show his teeth the lot. Now the spaniel is ok until the dally nips him.
Now I don't know if its my spaniel (but he is ok with the boxer and all other dogs!) or the dally?? Or whether the spaniel just won't have it with the dally and gives as good as he gives?? I don't know. The spaniel and dally play lovely until the dally starts nipping, not once does the spaniel starts the fight.
Please please help me. We so much want them to get on!!!
Hi there,
It's hard to give you sound advice without actually seeing these dogs interact with each other.
However, I would find it almost impossible to consider a 10 week old puppy as aggressive. At that age, as with young children, it's all about learning their boundaries with their playmates. How hard can I nip? How rough and tumble can this play be? Sometimes this kind of play can seem to the owner to be aggressive with much "teeth-showing" and "snarling". However, their body language and behaviour is far different in this instance than when it is an acutal case of aggression.
As I say, it is always difficult to give behavioural advice when you are not seeing the dogs interact - but it sounds to me like typical puppy behaviour and I woulnd't be in the least concerned.
There are a lot of good books which will give details of the different types of stances and behaviours dogs will exhibit. Fear, play, aggression etc. It might be helpful to track down one of these. :)