Older dog not correcting puppy when playing.

[itsmellslikepopcarn]

Hi all! We’ve just got a new cocker spaniel puppy, he’s 10 weeks and doing great so far! Nippy and scratchy as you’d expect but doing great with his toilet training and commands.

We got him as we really wanted a play mate for our older dog who is 4, and incredibly playful. He’s absolutely chuffed with the puppy and the two have been playing together after a few days.

as expected the puppy is incredibly bitey and we see him yank and pull on our older dogs skin with his tiny pincer teeth, but older dog doesn’t correct him they just carry on playing. It must be painful for him, and naturally I’ve been separating them when he’s becoming too much but older dog won’t correct him unless he’s trying to steal he’s toy. Should I keep on separating them or will older dog eventually learn to correct the puppy?

You need to separate them. You really don't want to rely on an older dog disciplining your pup. It's your job to bring up the puppy and prevent antagonism in the way

Older dog should not be correcting the pup unless you want a stressed and potentially very unhappy dog on your hands. It also quite often can escalate to a fight. It is not your dog's job to correct the puppy, it's your job to keep the puppy away unless they can be calm. They need to be separated for all their welfare unless you are sitting on the puppy to prevent the scenario you describe.

If the puppy gets used to being rough with your dog you invite a whole load of problems when the puppy licence runs out.

To be honest you should never get a dog as a playmate for an older dog. You should get one because you're happy to have the responsibility of a second dog. There's all sorts of reasons dogs don't get in and can never be left alone together. Different health conditions and temperaments mean they might not be able to be walked together.

You decided to get a second dog and it's completely your responsibility to make it a positive experience for both of them

Thanks everyone, I thought that would be the case! I’ll continue to keep separating them as I have been doing, I just thought it was strange he’s happy to tell him off if the puppy tries to steal his toy but not when he’s got his claws digging in his face!

I’m well aware of this, it was just one of the reasons that I wanted a second dog. They’re both very similar breeds with similar temperament, both are crated and I work from home so they aren’t left alone, but are getting along fantastically well, so thanks anyway.

Hmm. I’m not an expert on this but I would have thought the older dog is being very tolerant because the new puppy is very young. And that maybe as the puppy gets a bit older and oversteps the mark, the older dog will start to correct the puppy appropriately?

This you need to step in and correct your puppy, short play sessions are fine but if you think it's gone to far stop it.

As everyone has said, you can't rely on your older job to correct the puppy.

I also agree with PP who said he may become less tolerant as the puppy gets older and more confident and capable.

Lots of dogs will tolerate silly behaviour from tiny puppies but are much more strict about it when they're a bit older.

This. My dog let his son eat first and gave him every toy and let him jump all over him until …. He was about 12 weeks, then my older dog just gave a short bark and the puppy ran away crying and from then on knew his place. This has always happened when we have got a puppy - they get away with murder and then it’s like they reach a point where the older ones go - right you are getting too big for this!!

As everyone else has said you want to be the one interrupting if he’s too full on.

I will say though, dogs do play rough sometimes, you’d think I own wrestling bears sometimes not dogs, one in particular is very rough, I stop it when he starts to get too bad, but it is just his play style.

The little one probably still has his "puppy licence." Older dogs will be tolerant of very young puppies, though as they got older they lose the free pass to behave however they like.

We had this - our three yr old was superbly tolerant of our cocker - until he got to about 4 months - then one day our 'older' dog had a total go at the pup when he tried to steal her food .. I watched in amazement - I have no idea what older boy said but from that day he has checked with his big brother and won't cross him
They play beautifully now !

Thanks everyone, I will continue to keep my eye on them and separate when needed. They only ever play on the sofa so I’m always sat on the end watching. Older dog looks like pretty aggressive player when playing with friends dogs, but it’s just mouthing whereas puppy is definitely digging those teeth in!

Really interesting post. We have just introduced our two year old lab to my mum's new puppy. She was incredibly tolerant and gentle when the puppy was trying to nip at her ears. I wanted to let them get on with it, safely of course, but I think next time, I will separate them sooner for my own dog's sake.