Hi all, I'm new to the discussion forum and hoping you could be of some help.

I recently moved into a home with my 5 month old male black lab "Jaxson". We moved into a home that has a 2 year old male yellow lab "Maximus".

They get along pretty well and it seems like Maximus has accepted Jaxson. The concern I have is Jaxson continues snipping and pestering Maximus until Maximus gives him attention. The problem is they start to play and it get's pretty rough sometimes, but my black lab keeps pestering which makes me think it's ok??? I guess my question is "Is it ok to let these two go "at it", or should I discourage them from playing rough?" I'm worried that it's training my puppy to be aggresive, or that they may get into a huge fight where my puupy would obviously lose.

Also what can I do to stop my puppy from whining all the time? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Josh

I'd let them play but later you will have to be able to notice the signs of real aggression if one of them back hackles up and they start showing teeth its time to stop play time. This probably won't happen until your puppy gets older, if at all. Labs have a reputation for being dogs that are mild and even tempered, but they are still powerful dogs. Maximus realizes that Jason is just a puppy and he showing him the ropes. So dog socializing skills are important as well as socializing with kids, adults of all sizes, cars, cats and other animals.

Try to get him use to being around a lot of different things, it helps the puppy gain confidence.

I will suggest this after Maximus and Jaxson plays for a while, don't let Jaxson pester as you say, the older dog all the time. You step in and walk/Ob/play with your dog or just stop the play, not because you think your dog is losing. But just like with kids enough is enoug sometimes. This will help in establishing you as the alpha leader. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Whining we probably will need a reason for him whining is because he wants something or is it because he a lone in his crate? We need more Info.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Now I'm not a pro, but these things have worked for me.

Thanks Don! I appreciate the advice, it's seems like just friendly play right now, but as you say when Jaxson get's bigger they might fight for pack leadership.

As for the whining, he seems to whine at night right before we go to bed and in the morning. We keep him in a crate and he does really well, until about 6:30am he whines and we let him out to pee but then he will whine until he gets attention. Attention might be the answer but we play with him hard everyday and he isn't short on attention. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Josh
The whinning to go pee is a good sign, that he is house trained well. I'd suggest limiting his food & water 2-3 hours before bed time.

The whinning for attention is something that spoiled puppies do, you obvious have given him too much attention (if there is such a thing with a puppy) he wants to be around and with you all the time. Thats a good & bad thing as it can result in whining, because he misses you.

Trying him out so that sleeps longer, good luck Labs have boundless energy so I'd find something trying for him to do like swiming and the self deployed fetch (the puppy/dog steps on a paddle that shoots a ball across the field).

More Ob then you can give the quite command, of course you got build up to this. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I think he is too old for the hot water bottle and clock trick, he wants you not his mother or siblings, which is good. You can see that sometimes you can do things too well. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
Teach the quite command. If you need help ask, how.

Thank you both. I'm sure these approaches will help. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />