If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
How can you tell if it's play?
hi, we just brought home an eight-month old rescue, a small Toller,
about twenty five pounds. We're hoping she will be a companion to another dog we rescued, a loving, easy-going, corgie-aussie mix, about fifty pounds. The toller loves to nip at louis's ears and growls when she is doing it. She also pushes against him and mounts him. Louis tends to run away and then stop and turn when she does it. His tail is up not in an unfriendly manner, but nor is it wagging like the Toller's. I can't tell if he's enjoying it or if he just wants to get away for real. Twice, he's barked harshly at the Toller, when she tried to take his morning milk bone and when she explored the inside of his crate, so he is capable of saying no. He's also extremely attached to me. People say we look like a tap dance team, that's how much he follows me everywhere. I guess I'm worried that he's so easy going, he'll be manhandled by the little girl and I've made him miserable. This is a dog that waits by our window for the neighbor to walk her dogs so he can play with them. He loves other dogs (which is why we adopted another), but maybe only when they go home. I'd love to hear some thoughts on this. jeff |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
How can you tell if it's play?
On 27 Feb 2006 17:47:40 -0800, "jeffisme" ,
clicked their heels and said: I'd love to hear some thoughts on this. The transition can be a little rough sometimes, especially bringing in a young, active breed. Where did you do the initial intro? To ease the adjustment, I believe dogs need to figure out communication for themselves for the most part, unless there is aggression involved. They each need to figure out how to communicate limits to each other, but ultimately - YOU make the decisions. I would be doing things with both of them that lessened the direct interaction between them. Walks are a good example - they're together but not in direct play. This is a great help in getting dogs used to each other in a non-threatening way. You can also tether or leash the new puppy a bit. If she isn't ready to settle down in the evening, and he is, leashing her to you can help teach her to settle down and leave him alone. I've had a few instances where a puppy has needed this, and it doesn't take very long. I currently have a 7.5 month old that has been here for a bit over 2 months. He can be a pest and a playmate to my 5 and 9 year old dogs, and I leashed him to settle him when one of the dogs had surgery and was not up to his antics. Only one evening, but it was more desirable to leash the pup than crate him, while letting my other dog be able to choose his comfy spot to recover from his surgical day. -- Janet B www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/bestfr...bedience/album |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
How can you tell if it's play?
Thanks for the great advice. I'll give it a try. I just hope louis is
tempermentally capable of saying no when he doesn't want to be bothered - and he is briefly on a couple of occasions - and also that he isn't ultimately unhappy with this new member of the family. He is such a gentle, loving dog, the thought that he's miserable makes me even more so. It's amazing how quickly the pup has bonded to him though. jeff |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
New Play Behavior | Leah | Dog behavior | 0 | October 8th 04 08:34 PM |
New Play Behavior | Leah | Dog behavior | 0 | October 8th 04 08:34 PM |
New Play Behavior | Leah | Dog behavior | 0 | October 8th 04 08:34 PM |
New Play Behavior | Leah | Dog behavior | 0 | October 8th 04 08:34 PM |
Funny play behavior | Chloe's Mom | Dog behavior | 0 | October 15th 03 05:21 PM |