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Updated: Apr 8th, 2008 - 21:34:45 |
Question: I have a nine-week-old pit bull mix that tackles dogs her size. She is very rough and bites them hard? What do I do?
Answer: Dear Esmeralda,
What you're describing is absolutely normal puppy playing. Puppies spend an inordinate amount of time tackling and play-mauling their littermates, and then, once they've been weaned, they tend to play rough with anyone or anything that gets close enough. This is how puppies learn...through repeating behaviors and seeing how other animals respond to that behavior.
My best advice is to NOT discourage this kind of play fighting. This is all part of what puppies do to learn what appropriate play is. I know at times it might seem like it's getting rough and out of control, but unless the pup is actually being hurt, don't interfere. Chances are, no one will be seriously injured.
Of course, I do absolutely and strongly recommend that you make sure the environment the pups are playing in is safe because puppies can get so focused on playing that they tend to not pay attention to anything else going on around them. Also, I can't stress strongly enough how you need to find your pup a playmate that isn't aggressive and won't physically harm your dog. Also, ALWAYS stay close enough to the playing that you can step in and separate the dogs if things get out of hand. Just keep in mind that this is normal puppy behavior, and that eventually it will dwindle down. Good luck!
Your pal,
Lapdog
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