So. Energetic dog play <sigh>

[SnakeyMcBadass]

The puppy is 8 months old now, and quite frankly a bit of a git. He has a habit of leaping on the spaniel when he's asleep and pulling his ears etc. The spaniel mainly takes this well, rolls onto his back and boxes him a bit. Sometimes the spaniel will be laying on the sofa, and ends up with his head dangling while the pup leaps at him. They do this weird, open mouthed head weaving thing while going 'nnnggggghhhhhhhhhaaaaa' like a couple of sea lions. They can do this for ages. Sometimes, though, the pup pushes his luck and the spaniel leaps to his feet, at which point the pup jumps in his box (an occasional table thing) and randomly darts out like a malignant gremlin, snarling, sneezing (wtaf?!) and growling as the spaniel barks excitedly. Eventually, the pup makes a break for it and this game turns into a chase and my rugs get kicked all over the sodding place as they tear around like loons. The spaniel is now so excited he repeatedly runs at the pup before darting off again to run across the ceiling. At this point, the pup decides he doesn't like the game and runs to me for back up despite having started the whole sodding thing. I am separating them when things seem to be getting out of hand, and I've never seen the spaniel actually lay teeth on the pup (can't say the same the other way around) but it's driving me crackers. Is this just normal dog behaviour? I've never had two before, so this is all new to me

Sounds very like my 8 month old pup. He's an only dog, but he loves nothing more than playfighting with other dogs.

We visit each of my parents fairly regularly and they both have dogs. My boy will taunt and tease the older dogs (particularly the males) - licking/nipping at ears/play-bowing until play starts. They do the open-mouthed playfighting, and the full on wrestling. Pup's a lot smaller than my mum's dog, and often ends up 'losing' the fight - getting pinned down by the bigger dog, but as soon as he gets away he goes tearing back around looking to start it all again.

As long as none of it's actually aggressive - i.e. goes no further than growling and mouthing - I let them wear each other out a bit, then call time when they get too loud/boisterous.

Sounds like normal dog behaviour. Look at this way: if the older dog was not occupying the puppy you would have to do all the running around! He's doing you a favour really!

yep sounds perfectly normal dog play to me.

my boxer used to do the sneezing with labby when they were playing.

Sounds just like my two puppies as well. Especially the open mouthed thing.

Then they'll take turns being the one who stands on the chair waving a toy while the other one tries to jump up and grab it. Accompanied by lots of excited barking.

My pair still do this for ages, 3 & 18 months. It's better when I'm not sitting on a chair directly above them.

All normal! But you are right to split them up when you feel it's getting out of hand. Also watch the puppy's behaviour with other dogs when he is out as his puppy licence will soon expire and he may get a more aggressive reaction if he tries this on with a dog he doesn't know.