We just got a GSD puppy, and we already have a three year old neutered male GSD. I'd like to let them play together, but am still unsure how. Our adult dog is not agressive to the new puppy when one is in the kennel and the other is out, nor has be been aggressive the couple of times we've had them out together on leash. He is, however, the "big dog" in the house and wants the puppy to know it if the puppy gets out of line. My question is this - how much domination can we allow without squishing the puppy's drive or screwing with his temperment? If it is simple dog hierarchy interaction with no real aggression, will it have an effect?

Thanks
Kameron

All dogs have Pack drive so one dog will deffently show domination over the other, how much is the question but i don't think it should matter to much. I don't think letting them play together will hurt the smaller dog any (unless the older dog is aggressive) this shouldn't damage the dogs ability to do obedience or agility any, BUT i have no experience in this area, so i am sure many people can advise you better than i.

Kameron, congrats on the new puppy! - Is it a male or a female? This *can* have an effect on the type and intensity of behavior that your older dog displays to the new one, especially as the pup grows. My 2.5 y/o male tends to display normal pack dominance, nothing aggressive, with female pups, but he's been much harder on male puppies and we consequently don't let him interact with any, unless they are being welcomed into our family of friends, and only then under very strict supervision and for very short intervals. That doesn't really answer your question, but it is something I've noticed with our dog.

~Natalya

Our new puppy, Bart, is a male, so I know that testosterone will come into play eventually. However, Bodo (the older dog) is neutered (albeit at a later age) so I hope that also has an effect. So far we've allowed on-leash interactions have seen a bit of the following:

*Bart licking Bodo's jaws, which I know from watching wolf footage should be a submissive puppy-to-adult behavior

*Bart bowing and laying on side (although my husband doesn't like the submissive posturing, because he thinks it will bleed onto the sport field - we're starting mondioring with both dogs)

*Some indifference from Bodo - i.e. looking to us instead of the puppy all the time.

*Bodo stepping on Bart some - especially when Bart starts getting rambunctious or underfoot.

*Bodo mouthing Bart, mostly jaw to jaw, but no real biting

Does this shed any light on how they might interact? I know the size difference will be a major factor in how much they get to play off leash for now. Bart is nine weeks old and about 17 lbs. and Bodo is 3 yrs old and about 72 lbs. But I know Bart will grow fast, and would like to get the introductions going smoothly now so the future might run smoother.

Kameron

 Quote: kameron bean

*Bart licking Bodo's jaws, which I know from watching wolf footage should be a submissive puppy-to-adult behavior

Normal behavior for a pup

 Quote: kameron bean

*Bart bowing and laying on side (although my husband doesn't like the submissive posturing, because he thinks it will bleed onto the sport field - we're starting mondioring with both dogs)

Bowing is an elicited "play with me" behavior and lying to one side is letting Bodo know that he wants to play but also knows that Bodo is top dog (right now). He may or may not challenge it, but if you limit and monitor together time, it should not become and issue since you are pack leader.
*Some indifference from Bodo - i.e. looking to us instead of the puppy all the time.

 Quote: kameron bean

*Bodo stepping on Bart some - especially when Bart starts getting rambunctious or underfoot.

Without seeing this, I would say that Bodo is tellong the pup "enough", my Bloodhound does this as well.

 Quote: kameron bean

*Bodo mouthing Bart, mostly jaw to jaw, but no real biting

Have you watched Yuko's videos of her dog Taro and her pup Aja?
I would watch that.
Bodo is engaging in perfectly normal "dog" behavior and is interacting with your pup normally as they would do in the wild.

I would say that all of this is perfectly normal and as long as you maintain a stable pack structure and remain pack leader, then challenges will be minimal.

Hope this helps and I am sure others will post advice as well.

Where can I find Yuko's videos?

Kameron

http://www.leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=147047#Post147047

This is the latest I believe.

Just go to page 1

Yup i agree with Carol 100%

I do not have experience with this but from reading some books this all sounds normal, and nothing to worry about.

How much play fighting should be allowed? The puppy is pretty submissive so far to Bodo, but sometimes Bodo makes him yelp. I don't think he's really hurting Bart, but I'm not sure where the line is between playing and pushing around. I don't want either dog to get hurt - physically or psychologically. I would hate for something to happen to Bart now that makes him afraid of larger dogs in the future. Playtimes together right now are very short (15 minutes or less) and ALWAYS supervised. I have been able to put myself between Bodo and Bart occaisionally with an authoritative voice and Bodo sits and looks at me - so my pack leader status is still there. I'd like to continue in a positive direction, as I think it will be beneficial for both dogs to have someone to play with and get energy out with (I tire too easily!!!) plus I'm kind of hoping Bodo might be a role model for Bart in the housebreaking arena.

Kameron

I wouldnt let a pup bond with an adult dog too tightly. Maybe 2 or 3 minutes of playtime every few days just for relationship building till the pup is 10 months old, and after that you can increase the time together.