Is It Playtime or Time to Separate?
It’s normal for puppies and dogs to growl and romp over one another in a mock battle. Most dogs display behaviors that can seem a little aggressive to us, but as long as they are within the boundaries of good fun, it is usually okay (and can help them with socialization skills).
When your pet’s playtime is positive and fun, they will display a number of clues to let you know it. Likewise, if your puppy is afraid or is trying to get away, yipping, crying, or other indicators of fear, they need a reprieve. This is also true for senior pets, who aren’t willing and able to be trampled on by puppies. They, too, need a break from the rowdiness at times.
The occasional yelp or squeak during a play fight is standard, but pay attention to your puppies interactions if you start hearing a lot of “pain sounds” from the play area. Its easy for the biggest of the litter to accidentally hurt the runts, and a nip on the ear is enough to send any puppy crying to the corner. Your puppys behavior is problematic if he pursues his littermates and continues to bite or brawl after they vocalize their pain, flip over in surrender or flee from him. Dont let your pup consistently bully his brothers and sisters.
In general, you shouldnt discourage puppies from play fighting. Its a completely normal and desirable behavior in young dogs up to several months of age. Puppies brawl with their littermates, mother and friendly adult dogs to develop their skills, bodily coordination and strength control. When the puppy bites too hard, the other participant may yelp and stop playing momentarily. The lapse in play is undesirable to the biting puppy, who learns not to repeat this behavior if he wants to continue to have fun in the future. Not all puppies learn this concept quickly, though.
Play fighting is an essential part of early canine development. Mock brawls are an instinctual urge in puppies. It helps them learn to control the strength of their bite and how to socialize with other dogs. However, you may need to intervene if the playing gets too rough or aggressive.
Quentin Coleman has written for various publications, including All Pet News and Safe to Work Australia. He spent more tan 10 years nursing kittens, treating sick animals and domesticating semi-feral cats for a local animal shelter. He graduated from the University of Delaware with a bachelors degree in journalism.
When your puppy bites you or another puppy too hard, put him in a large box or shut him away in isolation for a minute or two. This associates excessively rough play with an undesirable outcome, which helps him develop better habits. Allow your pups to play fight until they are about 4 months old. If they are still treating each other roughly, try to redirect their aggression by offering them toys when they start to bite at each other. Never use your hands when playing with your dog. Instead, hold a rope toy by one end and allow him to tug on the other.
Why Do Puppies Fight?
Puppies learn normal social behavior, what is acceptable and okay and what is not, from interacting with other puppies. This starts even before puppies are weaned from their mother. Healthy play allows a pup to not only build a good foundation of socialization but it also helps them learn body language and other nonverbal behavioral cues. What they learn as puppies in regards to normal dog-on-dog behavior sets the ground work for skills they will utilize throughout their life.
Is my puppy playing or being aggressive? Healthy Play between Puppies explained
Puppies, especially litter mates, play fight a lot. Theres little more adorable than watching a group of puppies tussle with each other, but how can you know when the wrestling stops being playful and starts to become a true fight, though? What can you do if you have one puppy in particular that continues to take play time a little too far?