Dogs mess fighting.

jack01986

We recently got a new puppy a wheaten terrrier (girl) and we have a newfoundland girl as well. They have been getting on grand since the puppy arrived. The newfie ignored the puppy for a few weeks, but now they have started some serious wwf style wrestling, there is no biting and just light growling from both dogs is it something to worry about. Obviously the size difference is important as the newfie could do some unintentional damage. Should we just supervise it making sure the puppy doesn't get hurt, she is well up for the messing.

star-pants

Yup as the puppy is still a new enough addition I'd supervise just to make sure it doesn't get out of hand. My two dogs play fight, and when one was still a pup you'd be slightly worried they'd get squashed or something but they're usually grand. We did have an incident (accidental) where the pup badly hurt her paw when playing but that's going to happen if you supervise or not.
Just keep an eye and make sure all's fair lol I still sometimes referee if they're playing now, only about 1% of the time is it ever more than play fighting.
they look cute though, gas the size difference!

mikemac

David vs Goliath right there, it's like David Haye against Nikolai Valuev!

They'll be fine, just messing.
Best to keep watch though, if the big lad gets a jab or right hook in the eye or something painful he might bite the terrier.

That's actually goes for children play fighting with dogs too. Most of the time it's fine but if you hurt the dog it may well snap

belongtojazz

The size difference between mine isn't quite as extreme, but I do have a 6kg JRT who pulls around my 27kg Springer by whatever toy he's holding onto!
She can't move him far but she gives it a good go

Those 2 spend a good amount of time playing together. I do keep an eye on them but it's more to protect the big guy

Honey-ec

Ah yes, Hungry Hungry Hippos, as I call it, cause it's generally just a load of open mouths.

Generally nothing to worry about, just keep an ear out for any change in the tone of the vocals that might indicate that one of them is starting to take it a bit seriously.

LucyBliss

Mine are nearly three years old and more often than not get into the messing about. With mine, it's the noise factor that makes you think someone is being absolutely mauled to pieces.

I use the same rules I used when they were pups: it's fine so long as they're being supervised and if the tone of the noise changes abruptly, I intervene to get them focused on me and then give them something else to mess with until they decide to pummel one another for another while.

It's good for them anyway. It's a bit of fun, helps them bond together and it's good socialisation for the younger one to learn a bit of boundaries when dealing with her elders.

jack presley

It's always the small one who starts it in my house yet he always ends up with his head in the other guys' mouths!

lrushe

My Chihuahua will wrestle my Rottweiler at least once a day, my Rottie will show great restraint when playing with her and has never hurt her however supervising is the key, if it seems like it's getting out of hand just give them a few minutes apart to cool off.

cjf

Always wondered if other peoples dogs played as rough as mine!! If you didnt know them it may look like they are really going at it and the noises they make sound like battle cries but they both instigate it and there is always bums in the air and pouncing!! It took a while to get used to it but as said here by everyone I just supervise and if the tone of the noises are changing I just step in and distract them with a toy. There is quite a size difference also but the little one seems to come out on top all the time (female. .haha!!)!! I always keep an eye that the big lad doesnt fling his weight around too much and hurt her by accident! Very much hungry hungry hippos both mouths are wide open growling away!! Boxing each other in the air, grabbing each others legs, heads, necks everything!! But once the games are over they then cuddle up for nap time!!

Beekay

Thought I'd post this, I only have one dog so she tries to start mess fighting with me!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZht--MW2D0

Skadi

OP I would just keep an eye on it and see how they play together. I have a three year old Malamute and a four month Newfoundland. They play well together and the Malamute is very gentle around the puppy making sure that she don't roll on top of her while they are wrestling.

It also depends on the temperament of your Newfoundland. Our Malamute growls a lot but it never agressive growling more a way of communicating and the puppy just ignores her. Our puppy has a habit of grabbing the Malamute tail everytime she is losing and tugging hard on it. The Malamute ignores it for a while and if the puppy won't give up she normally just gently bites her ear (no yelp from the puppy so it doesn't hurt). I have even seen when the puppy just wants to bite all the time the Malamute picks up tugs toys and starts shaking them in the puppy's face in order to distract her and bring her attention to the toy.

It is great that your dogs get on together. When our Mal was a puppy the other dog we had didn't take much interest in her, she more just tolerated her and often snarled and growled if the puppy bothered her. It was rare times that they actually played together and if she saw us looking she would immediately stop playing with the Mal. It is a much better household when the two dogs are good friends.

scudzilla

This is our dog and her friend play fighting earlier in Malahide, they're like this for ages!!

I wouldn't worry at all OP, just keep an eye on them and they'll be fine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRtTOhoIkm0

tk123

Do you ever break it up if you think it's going too far guys? There's one dog in particular in our park thats a few months younger than my guy (he's 20 months now) that doesn't seem to have any bite inhabition..he bites at my guys face and ears all the time - when my guy tries to shrug him off or even yelps he still hangs out of him.

Jimmy Bottlehead

Our cat and dog love wrestling each other... and it's usually the much smaller cat who starts it! It's always preceded by the cat swishing his tail about before jumping on the dogs neck and chewing her ear... the dog then chews the cat for a while.

IvySlayer

My pup has no idea how to play with other dogs. There was a beagle pup on the green, pup was bouncing around, play wrestling, Sam had no idea what to do!

He wrestles us fine though!

liah

Don't worry about it at all, OP. I had a massive 80+ lb German Shepherd who played second fiddle to a 5lb Maltese Terrier. Size makes no difference in dog relationships.

Even if they use teeth or growl a bit, it's all perfectly normal. Might even hear a whimper or two if one of them accidentally harms the other, but by the sounds of it it's all 100% normal and to be expected. I wouldn't worry unless one draws blood or continues after the other yelps.

jack01986

Cheers for the pointers guys, I'll try get a video of them next time, Its very similar to Beekay video earlier. I'll keep an eye on things.:)

ashblag

woudn't worry about it OP. mine do that a lot especially at bed time before they sleep!!! they roll the ground with one another then fall asleep, quite funny really,

I used to be worried as i thought they were being aggressive,it's just how dogs play

falabo

my 2 cocker spaniels wreslt like that every single day at least 3-4 times. I used to be worried too but they have NEVER harmed each other ...

they know exactly how much they can "bite". they grab each others ears to start a game, it really is very funny. and they are incredibly vocal

jack01986

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6gsXW_YK2w

Rew

Our 3 (husky, Husky cross and Samoyed) kill each other on a daily basis. The Sammy female is probably 1/2 of the weight and size of the 2 boys but she's the boss. We've had blood twice and a few limps but they were minor accidents and not genuine aggression.

ISDW

Rew wrote: »

Our 3 (husky, Husky cross and Samoyed) kill each other on a daily basis. The Sammy female is probably 1/2 of the weight and size of the 2 boys but she's the boss. We've had blood twice and a few limps but they were minor accidents and not genuine aggression.

Your 3 Rew?:D;)

Rew

ISDW wrote: »

Your 3 Rew?:D;)

Yeah looks the situation may become permanent, told you we were suckers! :-D

Also my cannicross defeat to a runner with 2 dogs versus my 1 makes me think I need 2 runners :-D

ISDW

Rew wrote: »

Yeah looks the situation may become permanent, told you we were suckers! :-D

Also my cannicross defeat to a runner with 2 dogs versus my 1 makes me think I need 2 runners :-D

You're gonna need a scooter and possibly a rig:D Fantastic.

Rew and his partner are fostering a lovely boy for me, from Dunboyne pound, doing a fantastic job with him. If he does stay with you he'll be a very, very lucky dog.

Rew

ISDW wrote: »

You're gonna need a scooter and possibly a rig:D Fantastic.

Rew and his partner are fostering a lovely boy for me, from Dunboyne pound, doing a fantastic job with him. If he does stay with you he'll be a very, very lucky dog.

How could I say no to a face like this (even if it has been in the coal bucket eating the coal!)

Kitiara

that looks too funny! Gorgeous dog!:D

DBCyc