Replyka is being nasty with Caliber...is this normal?

T

TaraLynn

Forums Enthusiast
When I say nasty, I don't mean "I will kill you" nasty.

I've never had two young dogs at a time(Caliber is 10 months)...so I'm not sure if this is normal behavior. When Caliber and Replyka play, she sometimes starts to growl, nip and lunge, and kind of bare her teeth a bit. Of course she has those razor blade puppy teeth, so a couple times she's made him yelp. He doesn't get at all aggressive towards her...he just figures it's all in good play, like he normally is with any other dog. I just was wondering if this was in fact "normal" puppy play towards another young dog...and if it is ok to let it go, or break it up?

A few times I've had to scoop her up and place her in her crate just to calm her down. I know it's not always a good thing to do that(put them in their crate for "bad" behavior) but I never scold her for it. I don't say anything...I just pick her up, place her nicely in her crate, and walk away(if she's REALLY rowdy I cover her crate with a blanket). Is this alright for me to do? I don't want her to think it's ok to engage in play all the time like that...because altho Caliber is ok with it...other dogs aren't as fun-loving with that type of play.

Am I doing the right thing? Is there something I can do differently? Has anyone been in this situation?

I'm way too new at this two puppy thing! :lol:
 
It sounds like normal play between pack members. My two play 'attack puppies' - thats what I call it when they snarl, show teeth and tully growls and barks as well. Its hilarious because they are far from being attack dogs. My two have never been inclined to play this game with another dog. As a pup Replyka is probably going a bit too crazy so its okay to step in until they calm down. You could also throw in a squeaky toy to get Replyka to back off biting a bit - I did this with mine, of course now they squeak as well as growl and snarl.
 
I am no expert, but I have two young shelties too. Chinook is 4 months older than Maia. When I got Maia, she was 'aggressive' to Chinook and she still is. She is definitely the more 'alpha' of the two. From what I've read, the nipping and biting is normal puppy behaviour - they learn bite inhibition by playing like that. When the other dog yelps and stops engaging, the pup learns that that behaviour is inappropriate, and they learn to 'bite' softer, and softer.
I don't crate mine, but from what I've read, you never use the crate as a 'time out' for bad behaviour. The crate is supposed to be a 'safe' place for the dog, so you don't want the dog to associate any negative events with it.
I am sure some of the others here that have waaaayyyyy more experience with raising more than one dog will be able to give you great advice. Good luck and enjoy the two of them!
 
TaraLynn said:
A few times I've had to scoop her up and place her in her crate just to calm her down. I know it's not always a good thing to do that(put them in their crate for "bad" behavior) but I never scold her for it. I don't say anything...I just pick her up, place her nicely in her crate, and walk away(if she's REALLY rowdy I cover her crate with a blanket). Is this alright for me to do? I:
Click to expand...

I use my crates for time outs the way you've described. I'm neutral, or sometimes I'll even say "You win" nonchallantly and put them in their crate. It think puppies are like toddlers, sometimes they get over tired and over stimulated and need a nap to come down.

It also sounds like typical puppy play and as long as no one is getting hurt and until I got sick of it, I'd let it happen. When I get sick of it, I'd put the puppy down for a nap. JM2C
 
you should hear my 2 pups play!!! I have a 5 month old sheltie and a 9 month old lab, both intact males :eek2: sometimes it sounds like they are trying to kill each other! btw the sheltie is definitly the alpha :lol:
 
Sadie refused to sleep anywhere but in her crate. When she started playing too roughly, became overly excited or could hold her head up from exhaustion I'd put her down for naps in her crate. Didn't seem to do her any harm.

I read that puppies learn bite inhibition between 4-7 weeks and that the Mom also starts teaching them discipline, manners and who the pack leader is at this time.

After she bites Caliber, if she continues to be too rough with him perhaps you should give her a time out. I don't mean crating her, but remove her from the situation (take her a couple of feet away when she gets too rough, then let her go when she calms down. Make her sit or lie down if you can. (I know, easier said than done with a young puppy)

I did this with a pup who would bark uncontrollably when she was playing with Sadie, I took her a few feet away and made her sit whenever she barked. Worked like a charm, the barking all but stopped during play, mind you she was a bit older.
 
Layla loved to attack Bear the Big Red Dog. he'd do the soft mouth when playing back, and she learned from him.
 
I agree with most of the comments.

Sometimes when I watched my two boys "play" I wonder that none of them seems to really get hurt. Mostly, I let them sort it out for themselves. Indy is faster and more aggressive, but Bacca has the advantage of weight. Sometimes he justs sits on Indy to pin him on his back.

When I think it's getting out of control, I will just distract them with something (e.g. bring out toys, or insert myself into the Play). I wouldn't use the crate though.

That being said, its perfectly ok to send the pups to their crate, when its nap time. Or you need a break. As long as its handled the same way as you would always put them in their crate, e.g. at bedtime.
 
Lexi is almost 2 and my boyfriend's lab (Flint) is an intact 7 year old. He is by far an alpha male and "attempts" to be dominating. However, Lexi appears to also be an alpha female and lets him know when to back off. If he is trying to assert his dominance she will for sure growl, show teeth, and even lunge a bit. She never acts this way towards any other dog, but Flint thinks it's still a game. I think for now it's totally normal. If it became downright awful and nasty then I would try to turn their attention to something else!
 
Most people say not to use the crate for 'bad behavior' so it does not gain a negative connotation, but it sounds like you are doing it right.

When Ella used to get too out of hand, and get downright annoying like a 2 yr old who needed a nap, I just said 'naptime' and put her in her crate. She sometimes barked for 2 seconds, but would fall right asleep.

The puppy play sounds normal to me, but its just from what I've seen/heard from others. We can only have 1 in our apt, so its just one white sheltie for us for now!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top