Hi -

You may have read my previous posts about the pup I recently rescued - She was growling at my other bitch and then had a go - we don't seem to have had anymore of that sort of behaviour - however all she seems to want to do is playfight very aggresively with the bitch she was having a go at ..... she is not interested in me at all - she comes whan she is called, but every waking hour unless in her crate she spends play fighting and taking toys from my other dog......

I'm not really convinced that her play fights are all 'play' fights as such or more just wearing the other dog down - How do i overcome this.

I took her on my own into another room this morning to see if i could get her to play with me - she simply sat there and looked at me as if to say - yes, can i help you .

never had this problem - how do i overcome it ?

Keep seperating them and spend time with her and she will soon get the idea that you are fun as well ;)

Also it will give your bitch some time to herself as she must be getting naffed off as well ! :)

thats what i thought, but it almost seems like the pup has NO interest in me at all - she play fights with the other bitch and then when I seperate them - the pup either immediately  sleeps or just looks at me and ignorse my attempts to play .

My older bitch is so obsessed with me (quite the opposite) that when I seperate them to play with the pup the older one is sat whining ...:rolleyes:

Hi xenaqueen,

some dogs are much more species oriented than others and this may well be the case with your rescued pup.  It is something you can overcome but it will take much perseverance and effort on your part.  LJS's advice is bang on - no more, no less required :)

It is difficult with a doting older dog at home but the more work you put in with the pup now, the quicker it will pay off and a better all round relationsip achieved.

Giving more time to the pup needn't be at the expense of enjoying time with your long term k9 - just ensure that time spent with the older dog is true "quality" time to avoid any resentment :)

Take heart, it happens with the best planned litters and puppies.

I kept a beautiful Beardie bitch from my litter and she was one of the two most outgoing in the litter always playing, tail wagging etc.  When the rest of the litter went she became almost totally focused on my new TT and would only play with her.  When her litter mates came back for a visit, she did not want to know them either.  She had no interest at that time in playing with me or OH. 

I have two more puppies now who she adores - she actually throws toys for them to chase and plays mad games with them. 

I have to say that even though she is improving as regards play with us it is a very slow process and now at nearly 12 months she isn't terribly keen although she is good at obedience and is a star in the showring.  I am hoping she will get the idea that people are fun too but she really does make it obvious she would rather be with the puppies.

I think Teri is right in as much as some dogs are more species orientated.

Do you know the background of the pup? maybe she was never played with by the breeder and only ever had her litter mates to play with. She may see you only as someone who provides the food but not the fun?

It doesn't necessarily follow some dogs just prefer to play with their dog pals but with work you can get their interest it just takes time.

my dog was always more interested in other dogs than me so much so that it was a real problem, i had to really try hard to be fun and integrate with him it took until he was nearly two to turn it around.it was very hard work but well worth it.