Aggression play

[Loviedovie]

Ok, I took Lovie to Puppy class today and I had to hold her off from playtime with the other puppies. I was quiet embarrassed.

She has aggression to 1 particular puppy however they have never had a run in or anything so the owner and I are not sure why all of a sudden? Class has been going on for 3 weeks now. Any suggestions?

I have noticed her aggressively playing with other dogs but nothing like this.
:confused:

[Brattina88]

What does your trainer say about this?

[stevinski]

its quite common in puppy classes for there to be some aggressive play, as long as now attacks are allowed and everyone learns what they need, its ok

[Loviedovie]

The trainer we had today was a sub so our normal instructor wasn't there. I'll find out next week I guess.

I know that "sully" the other dog has quiet often put Lovie on her back while playing, could this be it? She isn't like this with the cats at home or other "older" dogs.

Occasionally if she is in "rare" form around 7pm and is doing her "bat run" around the house, if I intercept she will growl at me. I have to just let her run it out. Is this normal?

Last thing I want is an aggressive SHIH TZU!!!!

[Gempress]

The trainer we had today was a sub so our normal instructor wasn't there. I'll find out next week I guess.

I know that "sully" the other dog has quiet often put Lovie on her back while playing, could this be it? She isn't like this with the cats at home or other "older" dogs.

Occasionally if she is in "rare" form around 7pm and is doing her "bat run" around the house, if I intercept she will growl at me. I have to just let her run it out. Is this normal?

Last thing I want is an aggressive SHIH TZU!!!!

Are you sure she's being aggressive? Growling doesn't necessarily mean aggression; it could just be play. My big boy Zeus is extremely vocal when he plays. He will growl and snarl like he's trying to rip you to pieces. He even growls when zooming around the yard...weirdo. :rolleyes:

[Buddy'sParents]

Are you sure she's being aggressive? Growling doesn't necessarily mean aggression; it could just be play. My big boy Zeus is extremely vocal when he plays. He will growl and snarl like he's trying to rip you to pieces. He even growls when zooming around the yard...weirdo. :rolleyes:


Buddy is the same way. Folks that don't know him and us at the dog park get worried because Buddy is so vocal when he plays.
Buddy also plays rough, mostly with dogs he already knows, but if a perky newcomer is ready for a challenge he's up for it too. Buddy has been on his back, other dogs have been on their backs, the key is to know when it is NOT play anymore. You must know your dog and be able to read signs that say "this isn't play anymore."

[Roxy's CD]

I don't let my dogs play with strange dogs, because it can change so quickly from "playing rough" to "aggressive/dominant".

In class should be different with a puppy though. As everyone else said, he could've just been playing. My guys are extremely vocal when they play.

You know your dog best. You should be able to hear and see a difference if their not playing. A dog that's being dominant/aggressive will *not* lie submissively on their back. That's something two doggy friends do.

[tinksmama]

ok, how do you tell when pup play is going from roughhousing to bad stuff? just interested, as Tink goes visiting,and her smaller poodle friend is mellow,and usually ends up underneath... is it the noise? what do I look for?

[Loviedovie]

The trainer and both of us parents all said at the same time "OK, they aren't playing anymore"... So it was defiantely not playing at that point.

The test will come. I'm taking care of my friends Weimaraner (2 years old) for the weekend. They get along though, or at least that I know of..

[Roxy's CD]

Hmm. Roxy will get dominant with Brutus, but has never drawn blood or hurt him at all. She'll snap right in his face, show her teeth, make horrible noises. NOw she's never hurt him, but it is dominant behaviour.

*thinking* How do I know when she's not playing...

With Roxy, (hades has *never* been dominant/aggressive)
-her tail doesn't wag, it hangs from about half way down
-she'll usually give a sharp bark, followed by snapping
-when she mounts brutus from the side, and presses her face against his
-she gets the "crazy look" in her eye, (LOL but it's true) her ears aren't laid back, but they go back somewhat...

I think every dog is different... Roxy will usually do all of those things, if they *were* playing and she thinks Brutus has stepped over the line.

I've just watched Roxy a lot, how she interacts, and what her "trigger" signals are: The main one I've found is right before she turns "aggressive" she stops moving totally, she stands still, tail hangs, mouth open, ears back and gives "the look", if Brutus/Hades doesn't comply with whatever she wants them to do, (they usually were playing and they continue because their so excited and worked up) than she either mounts them, chases them etc.

Wow, that's probably really confusing, sorry.. LOL :D

[pup-man]

Occasionally if she is in "rare" form around 7pm and is doing her "bat run" around the house, if I intercept she will growl at me.

That's a big NO NO! You never interfere with puppies doing the "zoomies" or "bat run"..... lol :D :D :D The growling is normal... it isn't always a sign of agression.

[bubbatd]

To me you have to know your breed and your own pups attitude. With my Goldens I never liked rough play unless it was puppy to puppy .... without ANY aggressiveness. Owners who rough house with pups , to me are waiting for problems in the future. There are plenty of other games to play .