A well adjusted puppy is enthusiastic about playing.
They are young, rambunctious and sometimes over-eager to engage other dogs in play. While it is not wrong to ask another dog to play, trouble can arise when they don't notice that the other dog is not interested in playing.
Young, playful pups are often too young to have learned how to read the intention-signals of other dogs, they sometimes get corrected.
Corrections from an older dog can be a learning experience, but owners need to protect their pups from getting harsh corrections. To minimize the risk to your pup make sure that they have LOTS and lots of playtime with puppies their own age.
Puppy classes are a great place to have your pup play with other puppies.
A good puppy class will be filled with ONLY other puppies of a similar age. Puppy play-time will cushion your pup's bank of experiences. Puppy-to-puppy play will likely be appropriate and fun and pad your pup from associating play with bad things (older, un-playful dogs). Lots of puppy-play will help your puppy associate an eventual correction with their actions or the other dog's body language.
When playing with older dogs, a correction is likely.
The older dog should have EXCELLENT play-skills and give LOTS of warnings to the puppy. When the older dog has finally had it and corrects the pup it should be a fast and timely correction. The puppy will likely yelp and it will be over. The older dog should not pin the puppy or keep fighting. There should be NO harm and the pup should shake it off quickly and be back to his/her bouncy self.
A PUPPIES ERROR IN JUDGEMENT
Meet the dogs...
The FOCUSED, OLDER DOG is played by K-9 ANGUS, FEMA Certified Search & Rescue Dog, CA Task Force 3
see videos of Angus @ work -CLICK HERE
The PLAYFUL & OVERENTHUSIASTIC PUPPY is played by JUPITER, 4 month old, male beagle
Opening Act: A polite invitation to play.
Act -II: Stop ignoring me. Don't you want to play?
Act -III: You can't resist me; I'm right here!
Act -IV: Knock it off pup!
Act V: Pleeeese, play with me.
Final Act: Too-bad, puppy; I warned you.
Second Show: Hey, who are you?
E is for Enough!
There is nothing as fun for me or my dogs as a good rowdy play session, but sometimes... "Enough, is Enough!"
Even when dogs are playing well together, it can get loud and tumble-bumble. My clients with 2 or more dogs really enjoy it when we teach the dogs how to listen for and head the command, "ENOUGH!" This command means: You are getting too loud, or too rough; if you tone it down, you may continue playing. If the dogs continue with the same level of energy and enthusiasm the referee (me) will put one or both dogs in a penalty box (or appropriate time-out area).
Teaching a dog to respond to "Enough!"
Phase-1
1. Prepare some biscuits and keep them handy where your dogs play.
2. In the middle of play-time, clearly ANNOUNCE: "Alright... That's ENOUGH!"
3. Then, get the biscuits (a large tin that makes noise when you shake it works great).
4. Open the biscuit jar and give your dogs a mini-adrenaline-break. Have them do some nerdy obedience like sit, down, sit. Feed the dog that listens best or performs the fastest.
5. Then release your dogs to go play. They will likely reengage at a slower speed.
6. Repeat this often, for about 1-week during all play sessions.
7. If your dogs hear, "That's Enough" and immediately prepare for a nerdy obedience break, you are ready for Phase-2.
Phase-2
1. When your dogs are playing, say "That's Enough!"
2. Reward the dog that calms down first with a "Nice job, dog's name!" Follow it with a biscuit for that dog.
3. Release everyone to go play again.
4. If one or both dogs re-engages at the same intensity, say "Too-bad!"
5. Then separate the dogs. You can put each dog on a tie-down or time out dog out in a bathroom or laundry room. Just make sure they can't play.
6. After 5-10 minutes, allow the dogs to "Try-Again."
7. Allow them to play and when it gets rough, say "Enough!"
8. If they listen and calm down, praise, treat and release to play again. If they don't say "Too-bad and end play-time again by using the "Too-bad"/Time-out Routine.
