Drago is about three months old now and Erika six years old. At first Erika just ignored him but now they're nuts for each other. I let them play together in the living room, very little furniture, and they play bite, paw and and roll around with great gusto. The up side to this is when I crate him afterwards he whines for about thirty seconds then a thump is heard and he is out for the night. They are never left unattended together and kenneled seperately. I intend to do SchutzHund with him or at the very least trained to the same level as Erika. Anybody see a downside to training in this? He knows his name, Hier, Foos, Sitz and is doing ok with retrieve.

My only worry with mine is one of them getting hurt or breaking something in the house. I don't worry too much about it affecting their training though.

I think its fine as long as they are a good match. I know my girl is fabulous and one hundred percent trustworthy with young puppies even though she is a brute with adult dogs. Some girls are like that.

Having him play with her helps with the bite inhibition, that's for sure. And there is nothing as nice as having a pup that age be really tired!

Plus, Erika trusts, respects and listens to you. Its obvious from your videos of her that she thinks you are the center of the universe. I definitely think a well trained older dog can help train a pup. If I had a dog trained to Erikas level, and a new pup who I had high hopes for, I would even let the pup watch me work her.

I want to see a video.

 Quote: Barbara Schuler

I want to see a video.

we tried, even with good lighting its a blur and I made the mistake of sticking my hand in once

 Quote: Dennis Jones

we tried, even with good lighting its a blur and I made the mistake of sticking my hand in once

Well for crying out loud don't wear gloves... trust me on this one.

Bwahahahahaaaaa... sometimes I crack myself up.

I let my pup (now 10 m/o) play with my older female. She is great with him and they both enjoy some wrestling and a good game of chase. My oldest female likes to stay out of it, so leaving her alone was another good lesson for my pup.

One point I would like to say (but you probably already know) is that if you want them to be able to spend time together without playing incessantly, you can incorporate some training into these play times. In the mornings, I spend a little time letting them play together and then we practice things like sits, downs, stays, focus, etc. as a group. I am often alone with my three GSDs and want them to listen just as well (if not better) when they are all together. So 5 minutes of play followed by 5 minutes of training and so on is great for distraction training

I’ve always loved the fact that a willing member of my pack can tire out a new pup quicker and with more precision than anything I’m capable of. Not to mention that it saves a lot of wear and tear on our limbs.

As long as you’re supervising the interactions and it’s happening “because of you”, not a random choice the pup is making to go play, I’ve never found it to be a problem with future obedience training. (sorry, don’t anything about the Schuzthund world).

Once they start to get a little older, other pack members are great for proofing and distraction training too. If you find he’s getting more interested in playing with the other dogs than listening to you though, I would start to strictly limit the interactions.

Some older dogs can also get quite authoritarian all over their little butts as they start to mature. I always make sure the fun is being had on both sides. If there’s equalizing to be done, it comes from me. I don’t put my dogs in that position. I always have a rag or tug handy in case the older dog's had enough and quick removal is necessary.

 Quote: dennis jones

he whines for about thirty seconds then a thump is heard and he is out for the night.

Hahahaha! I can soooo imagine that. As long as doesn't act like he's getting too "doggy", I wouldn't worry about letting them play.

 Quote: becky shilling

As long as doesn't act like he's getting too "doggy", I wouldn't worry about letting them play.

This would be my only concern as well. With Rain I restricted who she played with quite a bit more than the two before her (her Uncle and her Mother) and I am happier with the results and ease that she has ignoring other dogs when we're doing obedience or out in crowed public places.