A different approach is to get a spray bottle with water in it. This can be common with puppies trying to engage in play with an older dog that just wants to take a nap. Learn to identify play fighting, characterized by wagging tails, alert expressions and “bowing,” and distinguish it from aggression-based fighting, characterized by fixed stares, stiff tails and tense posture. In the field of animal behavior, researchers often refer to social play as “play fighting” because it includes many of the behaviors seen during real fights. Although normal play can become intense, it's important to be able to distinguish normal from abnormal behavior. Puppies assert dominance with play fighting. Is it ok? We examine rough play between dogs. Puppies can play rough. As a general rule I let dogs work things out, but how an older dog might respond to a younger can really vary and sometimes we do need to intervene. Signs of dog aggression include raised hackles, stiffness, snapping, or lunging. WhatWouldSidDo PetForums Member. This works best when there is only the puppy involved but you really don’t want to punish the older dog so try to shake the can in the puppy’s ear. For instance, tug-of-war is a popular game among dogs and puppies can learn this game by simply watching. Puppy, play fighting with older dog. When your older dog wants to play, let him set the tone of the play. Many pet owners mistake normal play behavior as aggression or laugh off behavior that is a warning sign for truly aggressive behavior. Unfortunately, second dogs have a habit of 'going wrong', leading owners to wonder just why this has happened when they used similar methods to raise both. Raising A Puppy With An Older Dog. Discussion in 'Dog Training and Behaviour' started by WhatWouldSidDo, Jan 12, 2013. In general, as long as both dogs appear to be having a good time -- as evidenced by an open, relaxed "smile" or pant, a posture that leans into the action, occasional bows to the opposing dog and a frolicking or bouncy gate, there is little need to break up a play fight or worry too much about biting. Barney the Lab and Daisy, My 4 year old Westie are play fighting the whole time they are together and it can get quite rough. Puppy play consists of chasing, pouncing, barking, growling and biting. Crossing the Line. A little fighting is a natural part of the growing up process for dogs. Shake the can when your puppy is aggressive to your older dog and say “No!” loudly. Other than that, an older dog can also come helpful in teaching your puppy the ways to play. Later in life conflicts may be resolved without a knock down, drag out brawl as the dog’s have their past play to refer to giving them a pretty good idea how things would play out. 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