I shouldn't rough play with my pup?

Question

I have just read some more info on my pup.

It states in a few diff. places that rough playing with them, teaches them it's ok to use their mouth's "sometimes", and doesnt train them correctly, because who's to say they wont use their mouth's when they're older and bigger (yike)?

So, should I have myself, and my husband stop this type of play, and is it too late since we have done this several times already?
Also, it says I things I have been reading, not to play tug-of-war type games because they win this game by using their mouths??

Ugh, now Im confused, I thought this type of play was fun for pups??

Answer 1

You can actually use tug of war to help train him! This tells how to play it right> http://www.clickerlessons.com/tug.html
and here> http://www.bestfriendspetcare.com/bf_training_34.cfm

this site is wonderful for 'play training' advice> http://www.k9events.com/behaviour_Self_Control.htm
If you scroll down mid page, you will see 9 articles about tug o war..and how to use it as a training tool.

Answer 2

You have to remember that EVERYONE has their own opinion and most everyone thinks their opinion is the ONLY way or the right way.

I don't think you have to quit that type of play with your puppy, but I do agree that you should limit it. Tug of war is absolutely fine to develop drive and using their mouths is a natural thing for all breeds. Be careful that you don't "train" the puppy that it's ok to bite others as you very well may have visitors and especially children who will want to play with your dog.

You might want to ask your vet what he/she thinks about it and basically just use common sense.

Answer 3

i rough house my 70 lbs dogs all the time but they know that when i say enough the games are done...and the word easy when pups are hard biting...its fun for me and them if u want to still play tug o war and stuff its fine but when things get to much YOU need to end it with a command..play a bit then say enough orwhatever have the pup sit and settle down reward play again the pup will get it and soon the word u use will mean "stop whatever i'm doing" works well for me.

by the way what kind of puppy?

Answer 4

I used to play rough and get my puppy riled up all the time she loved it. I still did it when she got bigger. It wasn't a problem. The only thing that she had was a jumping problem but that was because she was playful, so she would jump up on you. I think that in some dogs they may use their mouths when older, but I also thinks it depends on the dog. But if you have already played iwth it like that then, you may have already taught the dog to be a little rough.

Answer 5

Stop this immediatley! My dad does this to our dog but I mainly live with my mum so I can't teach my dog to stop it(and my dad won't stop being rough either and she is a jack russel. She now will not let you pick her up, is protective over her food, growls at every human and dog when on walks, barks like crazy when people come to the door, will bite strangers if they touch her and she will even bite her family. So never again play with her roughly, never play tug-o-war, never crouch down to your dog's height while playing, always go through doorways before the dog, pretend to eat some of the dogs food before you give it to them and stick your finger in the dog's food while they're eating it(This stops them becoming protective of their food).
Please do this otherwise your dog will turn out like mine and I can tell you it is not pleasant. You have the chance to stop this all happening but my dog didn't and we cannot turn back the clock...

Answer 6

Yes it is bad to play rough with your puppy. the puppy starts to get the idea that this is the preferred way you want him to play with him. And the tugg of war, well yes it can be bad too. if it gets used to grabbing things and pulling with his mouth, you migt some day have a visitor come over wearing a dress and it is dangeling in front of his face, well I guess you know the rest ,there goes the hem of an outfit. And that action just might be mistaken, and they yell visious dog. So you need to put a limite on the sort of play you have with it. Alot of times training is a good game to play also.

Answer 7

Rough housing with a puppy and allowing it to bite your hands or playing tug of war can make the dog act aggressive in play. Unfortunatly the pug that I took in was played with like that and I couldn't keep him because he thought my boys were his own personal chew toy. Whenever they would get on the floor to play with him he would grab a hold of their pants, head butt them and if they tried to pet him he thought it was playtime and would grab their hands with his mouth. They are 2 and 4 and that scared them. I feel it was because the previous owner played very rough with him and because they played chase with him a lot everytime i would try to get something away from him he would run with it like it was a game.

Answer 8

Don't teach them that it's ok to do something as a puppy that you don't want them to do as an adult. Tug of war is a bad idea because it teaches the dog to hang onto things you might want to take from it, and may show the dog that it is physically stronger than you.

Answer 9

A little goes a long way but it's not too late. I don't use my "hands" at all when I play with my dogs because I agree, that kind of play can be quite confusing for a puppy. Use one of the dog's toys or something, when it is older and understands you better then you can play using your hands. I think playing "tug of war" is not a problem for the dog.

Humans must be very confusing for puppies to figure out at first. Think of it, it is instinctive for dogs when they are angry to show their teeth and they see other dogs snarl at them as well.
We show our teeth when we are happy and smile at our dogs. You've got to hand it to them for figuring us out like they do.

Answer 10

Pups are pups.. many like to play rough.. Its Ok if you dont mind they are likely to play rough into adulthood... if you care about that, better cut it out...

One of my fav phrases to my full adult (and Old school) Pom... 30 lbs worth is "bite nice" he knows what it means.. He rarely draws blood anymore LOL Only once in a while, and hey its just play.. its my fault as much as his.. no hard feelings on either side

and I must admit.. I myself am a little rough around the edge's so I dont mind a bit.. hell I bite too ya know (but not to bad).. and its just me and the pom.. so no one else to worry about.. and its likely gonna always be that way.. so no worries here ..

And i live in the Boonies of NorCal.. we tend to encourage biting of stranges here because strangers dont belong here.. (if they got over the fence or the electronic gate they need thier *** bitten the way i see it.. saves me from having to shoot em eh?)