should I give my puppy a time out?

[juliefurry]

Ok, I am very worried about how my 9 week old puppy plays. He is VERY rough and he growls and attacks the other dogs. He is a lot worse than Hannah. The other dogs are getting angry with him and are starting to "teach him a lesson" and I don't want them to hurt Maverick. Can I give Maverick time outs if he starts getting aggressive with the other dogs? I try saying no but he is either deaf or doesn't listen to me (I still haven't been to the vets with his hearing problem). Could his breed possibly be making him play rough like this (he is supposedly a husky/collie mix)? He was 8 weeks when I got him and he had been with his mother and siblings the whole time. Any suggestions on how to get him to settle down with the other dogs? It seems like he gets more aggressive when Mack is out and he is playing with him, could Mack be triggering him to be meaner?

[Saje]

How do the other dogs respond to him? I think some dogs are good with puppies and actually teach them for you (some things).

[juliefurry]

well Shelby is babying him but you can tell she's just like "ok, kid, you bite my ear one more time and you're gonna get it!" Hannah and him are pretty good, there's some rough housing but no real growling but it seems like with Mack he just goes OFF THE WALL and runs around hopping like a rabbit or something attacking Mack and always trying to get what Mack has (and then they will get barky and growley with each other). You can tell he just wants to play with Mack but Mack for some reason doesn't want to play with him. Mack will play with Hannah but he gets mean with Maverick.

[poeluvr]

my dogs like that...thats why hes in obedience now

[Saje]

Hmm. I really don't know. I guess I would separate them if it isn't just playing. But at the same time I think they may have to settle it amongst themselves. I don't know. lets see what others have to say.

[juliefurry]

Mack is in obedience classes. He is starting to become very dominant and we are trying to nip it in the butt...fast! He won't listen to anyone anymore and sometimes we fear for his safety if he won't listen to us and he gets loose what could happen?

[bridey_01]

ARgh, the D word. Dominance!
I wouldnt know without actually seeing how the dogs interact, but if none of them recieve any physical damage after a fight I would suggest leaving them to it. Older dogs are great teachers for puppies.

[YorkieLover]

We went through this when Cocoa was little and wanted to play with Myles. He wanted nothing to do with it and Cocoa was constantly pulling on his ears like a rag doll.. Eventually, Myles would play back a little and then run to us when he had enough. We would stop it at that point and give Myles a break. Now Myles will play with her alot and when he's had enough he pretty much lets her know... As far as letting the older/other dog put the pup in it's place, well Houdini did that with Cocoa and I truley believe that is why now that Cocoa is older she is trying to dominate him and bully him. We have contacted 2 behaviorists to stop this because she has actually drawn blood. I would definitely watch this so you don't end up in the same situation we are in right now.

[MyDogsLoveMe]

yes you can place a puppy in time out so to speak. Just seperate them and put the pup in it own little place where he/she cant get out and wait 5-10 min but no longer than 10 minutes. While you place the pup there just tell em no!!! and walk away. I know it sounds extreme but we had to do it with nalla our pit when she was to rough with our other animals. It will take some time but may work

[showpug]

I would defiantly let the older established dogs let him know where he stands! Dogs can be the best teachers for puppies. Sometime it looks and sounds worse than it is. If your pup is getting to feisty with them and they have warned him and he still proceeds then they NEED to teach him what is acceptable and what is not. It's a different story is they are hurting him, but chances are they are not because they know he is a puppy!!!