Puppy play - when is it too rough?

[subutai]

We have a nine week old Golden Retriever puppy. Last Sunday one of her littermates, who happens to live nearby, came by for a playdate. Neither of our puppies had seen another dog since they separated two weeks ago.

It was really quite amazing to see them play. It was extremely energetic and looked, to a human, pretty rough. They would bowl each other over, bite at each other pretty hard, jump on each other, etc. They kept this up for quite a while.

This brings to mind a question: when is their play too rough and when should we step in? It seemed like they were taking turns being dominant, and neither of them ran away. But at the same time, I don't want to encourage a play style that wouldn't be appropriate with our young kids. (I should mention that our puppy has never been like this with our kids.)

I have no idea if this kind of play is normal with puppies. In case anyone is interested, I have a video of them playing together on my puppy blog at:

http://web.mac.com/subutai

Thanks,

Subutai

[zoe08]

They are soo cute!! It looks to me like they were just playing and having a good time, that didnt look like you had anything to worry about.

How do you make the video like that? adding the music and the little box things when going from one scene to another etc...

[Mr.M]

Windows Movie Maker can do that zoe. :)

They look like they are playing to me! btw nice pup.

[subutai]

Thanks, glad to hear it! Both sets of parents were a little worried.

I made the movie using Apple's iMovie, but on Windows I'm sure MovieMaker or some other editing package like Sonic can do it too.

--Subutai

[zoe08]

do you just have a little digital picture camera that records video or a real video camera? Right now I am into photography, and I would really like to get into making videos also.

[subutai]

I used a miniDV camcorder and a Firewire cable to connect it to my Mac. That is pretty cumbersome but is best if you want to take the highest quality footage and create good quality DVDs, etc.

Friends of mine use digital cameras to take short videos. That works pretty well for short clips for emailing or posting to the web, and is much easier. You just need to make sure when you buy the camera that it can take decent video.

All in the name of posting more cute puppy pictures and videos!!:)

Hope this helps!

--Subutai

[zoe08]

thanks for the info! I really would like to get a camcorder thing but unfortunately there are soo much other stuff the I think should come first.

Hope to see some more videos from you soon!!

[bubbatd]

I couldn't get the movie, but puppy rough housing is normal as long one isn't agressive. I'd leave it to the pups though... not with the kids. Goldens have to have quiet play with people..... no tug of wars etc until they are much older.

[Violet21]

oh man i love them!

Goldens are so sweet

[subutai]

I just posted the video from a second playdate we just had. See URL below. Hope you enjoy!

--Subutai