Hi everyone. I've been reading the puppy vs older dog posts in this section. I notice they primarily involve dogs of about the same size/breed. My problem is the 5.5 mo old male pup is a GSD, abt 55 pounds, and the older female is 1.5 yrs, 15 pound pekingese foo foo thing. They play alright together, but he's so big and gets out of hand. I've been watching and trying to stop the play before he annoys her, but she's hard to read-that smushed face of hers always looks like it's snarling and she doesn't growl when she's had enough. She just suddenly goes from playing to wailing on him.

The peke is too small to effectively correct his overbearing puppy punkness and now he's starting to fight back. I don't want either to get hurt. Obviously the peke would end up worse. Should he be corrected more severely for fighting back? Should they just not play?

It happened this morning and it was a real pain pulling him away. They both got corrected and I then snapped on his leash and "marched him up and down the square" (OB for about ten minutes-that seems to be my SOP for misbehavior in my house). He has NO issues whatsoever with the 6 pound chihuahua.

Thanks all.

Well what I would have done is given a firm NO with a seperation time out for both of them. He is the puppy and only 5.5 months old and doesn't know better-he must be gently taught, he does not realize that he could hurt the pek. nor how big he is, he thinks he is as small as she is, and she thinks she is as big as he is . I learned that with my GSD and my daughters Mini- American Eskimo. You should expect him to fight back, bottom line is he is being attacked,I would fight back wouldn't you?

But also he has to learn his bounders with her(Pek foo foo dog) too, she has been there longer so this is a battle of DELTA going on, and if he is the typical puppers he is going to get enjoyment out of "pushing her buttons". I would let them play, when she saids she has had enough, go in and seperate them by removing her and give them a seperated time outs. I would try to let them battle things out themselves with you supervising of course, if he is purposely picking on her to "start fights" then I would discipline him and only him.
Also by yourself some Rogain and some heavy seditives because this going take a while, Peks are as bullheaded as GSD <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> but you'll get there <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I'd stop all rough housing they could play chase and tug of war, but any body contact play like play wrestling or dominate climbing upon each other I'd stop.

Any growling should be taught to stop by command the animal that continues after the command should be disciplined, weather by leash or throwing a sock at their rear end or your Ob drills.

If they can be stopped by command call the one that is least aggressive to you in a down and down the other where he/she stands or send it to the crate. You gotta nip it before he finds out how big he is then she a gonna, or she might break his spirit by defeating him at 5.5 months maybe not. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Uh! Most of the time I think Bruce(pup) deserves the pummelling he gets from Suse (peke). He is incorrigible! And she is the most pig headed domineering dog I've ever had. :rolleyes: Highly unlikely she'll break his spirit. I do worry he'll figure out he's bigger than she is and she's TOAST!

So, I do think the path is to stop the roughhousing as that does tend to escalate. Unfortunately they don't play chase and she won't play tug. She has a tendency to "stare" down the other player of tug and they're intimidated into giving over the tug. She's such a butt.

Are you guys sure he shouldn't be corrected? I was reading the article http://www.flyingdogpress.com/sayhishort.html which was posted yesterday (?) in response to someone else's park incident (article-he was just trying to say "hi"). I'm thinking pup boy is being rude and Suse's trying to tell him so, but again can't do so effectively.

That's why I felt he needed to be "marched up and down the square" and not her. They both got corrected - for fighting, but he got the OB for being rude. That was my thinking. Is it faulty?

Hi Roz, At 5.5 months old, I feel he is too young for any correction that will resolve the situation. He is a puppy and puppies play. Pack order will be established as he grows. Being a male German Shepherd Dog, he will end up dominate over a 15 lb. female Peke. From your post, it seems like the problem may come from her sudden burst of aggression. Perhaps this is the dog that needs correction. Of course, it is important first that she has an alternative to aggression. She needs to have a place to go to, that he can not. This way she can avoid him if she desires. I have been in this exact situation myself. A male GSD, guide dog for the blind, I cared for, and my wifes Min. Schnauzer female. She was the original dominant dog, then after months with no aggression on his part, he nearly killed her. I had never seen a dog brought that close to death yet live. I would never risk that situation again. Establish the order yourself, or it will be done for you. Good luck.

Thanks for the input. Food for thought.

She is a real b*tch and won't disengage. Meaning she won't go to a "safety" place. I've watched her. She can be a real bully for her size. I correct her when she goes out of her way to be a bully. For instance she'll walk up to one of the other dogs and just slam her shoulder into them for no reason. WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A DOG LIKE THAT!!!! I'm convinced she talks smack to them in doggy language all the time. Check out my post in the "prong collar" section that no one replied to. That will give you a better idea of what she's like.

So he'll end up dominant over her even tho he's neutered? I think little foo foo is going to have a hard time with that. Sounds like I have to force the change in pack order? GSD first, peke second? When do I do that? Is he a little young to be higher ranking at this time? Should I just rule with an iron hand and allow no shenanigans from now on? I do want to allow him to be the baby that he is.

I KNOW! I KNOW! I brought this upon myself with so many dogs! :rolleyes: But I want to do my best to make it work. Have no intentions of getting rid of anyone. If that means more management, so be it. Any further guidance anyone can suggest is greatly appreciated!

Thanks again!