Horseplay

colin · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 9:02 pm Post subject: Horseplay

Buddy seems to have, what we call, his crazy half hour.

He will be lying still one moment and then get up and run (and I mean run) like a dafty around the house - I think he's just burning off some energy.

The last few nights this has turned into a game of chase.

Anyway, he is getting a bit 'snappy' - nothing serious, well at the moment. As an adult I take it for what it is - a bit of horseplay, but should this be discouraged? He's never bit anyone hard but I'm big (at the moment) on showing whos the boss...

Colin

Jack · Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 9:23 pm Post subject:

Colin,

I have to say I LOVE the puppy stage and have been guilty of letting them get away with too much in the way of biting or slightly OTT play.

The realist in me says start discouraging this behaviour NOW. You HAVE to start as you mean to go on. Sure it's cute and funny now but it won't be in a few weeks when the biting gets even harder and the habit becomes ingrained making it extremely difficult to discourage. We've just had this very debate over on my forum and the outcome of that debate is exactly what I am advising you to do in this post. Play with him as much as you want but make sure YOU are in control and call the shots including when the play has to stop Wink

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Staffies are my life! Visit us at www.staffies.co.uk

Janis · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 6:39 am Post subject:

hi colin

i totally agree.....it is fun and cute when they are puppies but as they grow it's not and especially when there are kids about!

i would discourage it from the start!........a sharp no, a tap on the nose , or what i do is if a puppy starts to gnaw lightly on my hand i take a grip of the lower jaw and they don't like it! it seemed to work on mine..............i now have dogs that my 4 year old can do almost anything to them and they know not to retaliate.................that does not give my son carte blanche to bit my dogs tail Shocked

and yes he did once when he was 3!

also get buddy used to being poked and prodded.......not literally but touch his ears his paws his tail get your hands all over the little chap . treat him if necessary to let him know it's ok and enjoyable!...this way it makes it easier should there be a visit to the vet.
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Cockapoo's...a little of this, a little of that..........
the perfect combination!

colin · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 9:32 am Post subject:

Janis · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 9:39 am Post subject:

yeah colin i would.....what starts off to be a puppy nibble with little teeth can soon become a stronger hold and bigger teeth and they might not realise their strength in their jaws!

see what others post............i maybe alone on this one!
_________________

Cockapoo's...a little of this, a little of that..........
the perfect combination!

geri carroll · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 10:54 am Post subject:

orla is 18mnths and will still go to gnaw on my hand during play
i just whine loudly like a dog Laughing

as if in pain or hold her lower jaw like janice does and she immediately stops
i would discourage this habit as you dont want him to do it as an adult
love his avatar so cute

Jack · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 12:18 pm Post subject:

I agree with the ladies above. Gnawing is STILL biting. As his jaws get ever more powerful this will hurt more and more. The gripping of the lower jaw works a treat - no need whatsoever to smack - they'll stop biting immediately - even works with Staffies Shocked

so it's a great tip to have!
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Staffies are my life! Visit us at www.staffies.co.uk

Rhianne · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 6:13 pm Post subject:

Yes Orla (who is 18mnths) Ran round dog training hall 3 times Rolling Eyes

one thursday
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♥ Buddy and Orla ♥

Suzanne H · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 12:17 pm Post subject:

Any teeth on the skin, no matter how light or playful, was met with a scream from me and I got up and walked away. He soon learned it was better to keep the gob shut.

A bit of puppy haywire is to be expected, there is a difference between that and someone winding them up and sometimes they can get a bit too excited with play, so if it gets to that, I tend to stop the game. Fine line between playing and getting a bit TOO carried away.

Ashley · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 12:21 pm Post subject:

I must admit Embarassed

.... Holly still uses her mouth when playing. She does use her teeth, but more just places them on me than anything else... although if she does get too exited and it hurts, I yelp and stop playing! Albeit, Holly is tiny and its unlikely to do much harm, so I dont really mind! Murphy uses his mouth too, but never puts his teeth on you really, he mainly uses his paws!
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Ashley with Holly & Murphy.
I hope to one day be as great as my dog thinks I am right now!!



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