Hello All:

My apologies if this has been asked and answered already, but I'm new to the group and didn't see it...

My wife and I have just recently (a week ago) brought home our second GSD. Our first is just over a year old (14 months today), they're both males. I've got a couple of questions about their interaction, and I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction. (I've got the Leerburg puppy video 8 weeks to 8 months as well - great info!).

My concern is this: our older dog seems to really like the pup, who is only just 7 weeks, but I get concerned about how rough they "play". Lots of tail wagging, but the older dog does what seems like a dominance move, putting his whole mouth over the puppies neck from above and often putting his paw over the puppy. Never hurt him - other than standing on his toes by accident - but of course we watch them like a hawk and pull them apart if it looks or sounds too rough. I know there are no absolutes, but when do you think it should be reasonable to expect them to be able to be together unsupervised - e.g. how old will our young one be, roughly?

Also, how to tell the difference between play and a problem - I think we can read the attitude of our older one pretty well, but the little one is *rough*: growling, biting the jowls of the older dog, nipping his tail, just a bundle of energy!

Thanks in advance for any insights!

Regards,

Mike

Originally posted by Michael Nash:
when do you think it should be reasonable to expect them to be able to be together unsupervised - e.g. how old will our young one be, roughly? Never

Also, how to tell the difference between play and a problem - I think we can read the attitude of our older one pretty well, but the little one is *rough*: growling, biting the jowls of the older dog, nipping his tail, just a bundle of energy! play can escalate to a fight at the drop of a hat. it could happen when the first one hits puberty, but it will definitely happen when the second one hits puberty. if there is a bitch in heat anywhere near, forget it, they'll fight each other for which one gets her (even if neither one will or can get her).

Mike:

Thanks for the input - it sounds like others have had different experiences (e.g. having 2 males together successfully), but we'll proceed with great caution.

I also didn't mention that the pup is the half-brother (same father) as the year-old male. When we're with them they play politely, and we break it up when it looks like it gets at all rough (or what looks like "rough" to us!). They are always extremely happy to see each other after they've been apart.

Thanks again!

Mike

Michael

Mike is right and a little wrong. The way your going , Mike is right, But, I,ve got a good friend that has a rather large Kennel. She has three studs, all of which reside in the house with her.These are GSD,s. But from the time they were 7 weeks old no one has been allowed to rough house AT ALL. One bark or growl at the other and the wrath of momma comes down. VERY VERY HEAVY.
Ron

And there never left alone unsupervised
Ron

Just my input here. I will never have two K-9 that are adults or going through puberty in my house again together. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Both my male GSD and female Akita were the best of house dogs. Like others have posted, one growl, nip, threating body posture and it can escalate to an all out dog fight.

Read my post on Getting Nailed by my male GSD/ Breaking up a dog fight.

It can happen and will happen no mateter how close you watch them. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Ask Mike Russell, and so many others.

Once it's on, all #*%@ breaks lose, it's too late.

Thanks to all for the replies!

From what I understand so far, we'd be best off:

1. Allowing no "roughousing", e.g. stopping it cold if it even tries to start, from either the older or younger dog. For a young dog (8 wk old) I assume the "shake the scruff of the neck" move is most effective? The older guy understands the "no" word pretty well, and is easier to correct anyway.

2. Not allowing them unsupervised time together.

3. Being particularly careful about any sudden agression/increase in agression around "puberty", e.g. 18 months to 2 years.

I'd also assume that any signs of "dominance" by either dog should be stopped, and that *I* should step in as the "pack leader", so to speak.

Any other advice most appreciated, and if I've got it wrong, even more advice appreciated!

Mike