Our 8 week old puppy labrador has started to play fight with our 10 month old border collie. All this is fine and we rarely get involved as they seem quite safe.

Could someone just clarify a couple of things for me?

1. The puppy keeps mouthing the older puppy. Should we get involved or let teh older dog stop it himself?

2. Am i right in thinking that if they dont yelp or cry then they are not hurting each other and just keep out?

Any other advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks

I have a 7month old BMD and his mum who is 3 years old.
My pup does alot of play fighting with his mum, and now he is bigger then her!!
Play fighting is great fun for both dogs, and if one does yelp out then it is just a way the dog tells the other 'that hurt!' your too rough, then if all is ok they will play again
Play fighting is a good way for your younger puppy to learn about doggie language and helps his socialiseation skills.
I would not get involved with their play fighting unless matters turned nasty and aggression took over, but a very much doubt that would happen as all dogs play fight.
I have never had to get involved with my two when they are playing.

This is quite natrual behaviour for pups, just make sure that the little one doesn't get bowled about too much by the older pup as both will still be growing and bone damage at this age can  easily occur.
The play fighting can become quite vocal at times with growls, barks etc and you will find that if one is being too rough the other will let out a cry or whimper, thus letting it be known to the other that 'ouch that hurt'.
I would only intervene if one is constantly hurting the other or one is tired and the other keeps pestering to play.

my dogs best friend is the neighbours spaniel and they chase and and the spaniel jumps on mine (GSD 4 times his weight), they have their mouths open pretending to bite the whole time and mine makes big scary noises but they never hurt each other and they cant wait to meet.it looks quite  horrific but its been going on for 6 months now so i think they know what they are doing.! it is such fun to watch.

hi i think sometimes it can get too much as i gathered when i used to look after my friends dogs which is our dogs brother. all they wanted to do was play fight and as they were getting bigger i found it got to much. so since getting our bitch we never really let them play fight in the house.

I only intervene if it gets out of hand or too loud to concentrate :rolleyes:
They do a lot of 'mouthing' each other which can get quite noisy at times but usually I let them get on with it while they are lying down.  However, if they start charging round the house/garden then I will stop them because they could do each other harm being large dogs! barging is one thing that, although it might be in play, it can also damage their hips/spine.

I've never in 20 years intervened in the dogs play, other than to put them out in the garden if they are getting too wild for the house. It's a normal part of doggy growing up, they do sound awful sometimes with lots of growling and a few yelps but it always ends well :)

Don't mind them playfighting outside, but I do draw a line in the house. Certainly when the boys were young, as I didnt want them bowled over. Also, i don't allow the kids to destroy the house, knock things off the side, I try to teach them that although some play is ok, the rough and tumble stuff is for outside. I expect dogs to abide by this too, otherwise things get broken, knocked over...we also have open fires and a rayburn so don't want any burns, or something knocked into the fire. Apart from that, they can play to their hearts content.

I have a 5.5 months old Scottie and a 10 Week old Dorset Olde Tyme Bulldogge, both of them are about the same size.

The play is absoloutely manic and some of the noises that come out of their mouths sounds like they're killing each other:) but they're having a wail of a time.  It has got nasty(ish) on a couple of occassions and that is the only time I have had to stop them and give thema time out.  But the minute I let them back together they're back at it!!  It's a joy to watch (most of the time)!

The only problem that's arisen is that the DOTB has developed a few scabs on he's face due to all the play biting.  So I'm having to keep it to minimum till they clear up.  I've got stuff from the vets which I apply everyday now.

My EBT is just over 2 & play fights with a GSD x Basset Hound. Scooby is 6 mths older than Molly & much bigger. He always chews Mollys throat & elbows & she jumps on his back. Scoobys teeth are always showing in play, but causes no harm. They have great fun together.

I woudl just say with two pups playing you amy need to stwp in more as it isn't the same as an adult teaching a puppy manners and playing.