Older dog trying to pick up new pup by the scruff of their neck?

Question

Have a 9 yo Shepherd x Malamute and have just bought an 8wk old pup, same cross, both are F. After having both dogs for just over a week, they are just starting to play together (both on leads so we can control them). The 9yo is getting more interested in playing however have noticed that she in becoming rougher in play and tries to lay on top of the pup. She has also started to try to bite or pick up the pup by the scruff of the neck. We are guessing that laying on the pup is to try to stop the pup from attacking/biting her however we have no idea about the scruff biting.

9 yo was desexed about 6 mths ago due to medical reasons and she has only socialised with 2 other dogs since we got her at about 9 mths old, both other dogs M. One dog was a cross (around medium poodle size) who we visited regularly, the other was a blue heeler who she lived with for about 4 yrs.

Is the scruff biting some sort of mother instinct, a controlling reaction or is she asserting her dominance?

re Eggie
Main reason it was only 2 dogs is because we don't know many people that own dogs and there are no dog parks etc where we live. She has socialised with other dogs but not the same dogs on a regular basis.
The older dog has been let off the lead on the verandah to socialise more (pup on lead for control) however she is the one that is initiating the play and can easily move out of the pups reach if it becomes too much for her. Up until a few days ago the older dog avoided a lot of contact with the pup however last 2 days she is wanting to play more and more eg tonight after playing for about 20 mins she constantly tried to chase after the pup and had to drag her away so pup could rest

Re Susan L:
9yo has never had pups, so do you think she would still have the motherly reaction even though she hasn't been a mother before?

Answer 1

The scruff biting is a control thing also. You have a very dominate breed and she is just serting her dominance over the pup now to avoid fights in the future.

They will do a lot of this kind of play until the pup respects the 9 y/o. If the pup is not an alpha then there shouldn't be any serious problems. Let them work it out between them and spend as much time together as they can at this stage and they will bond to each other.

But the most important rule here is that YOU should always be Alpha and in charge.

Good Luck and enjoy your new addition

Answer 2

Why did you only socialize her with two dogs?? Dogs are social animals - they must have proper social skills, just like a child needs it to grow up healthy and in good mental condition. I would highly suggest properly socializing both of them at dog parks on a regular basis and at least put the puppy in obedience classes. They will be much much happier dogs if you do so. Socializing your puppy will also get rid of some excess energy and stop bothering your older dog so much.

Puppies can be picked up by the scruff of the neck when they're very little. However, once they get heavier it will be very uncomfortable for them and that's not the best way to carry them. I would suggest not letting your older dog do that and correcting her by telling her 'no' and gently but firmly seperating them. She's most likely asserting her dominance because the pup is being too rowdy for her. Just let her know that you have everything under control and you're the leader, and she doesn't have to worry about it. At the same time, watch the puppy so that it doesn't get too carried away with annoying her too much so she really doesn't have to take matters into her own hands! Good luck.

Answer 3

OK let's talk dog-psyche 101.

If you had a child pestering you all the time you'd first tell it to stop. Then you'd tell it a little more firmly to Stop! Finally you would take child by the hand and sit him down for a time out.

Well, dogs can't speak words. And they don't have hands. So they can't tell puppy to behave other than by growling, lying on or even picking it up by the scruff (how they're carried by Mummy in the first place) and tossing it away.

You didn't say that puppy came back to get more of the same but I suspect that's also the case.

That's normal behavior.

Now then, watch the two of them carefully. Reassure ElderDog that she shouldn't be worried about her place in the pack. But if the play gets too rough and Puppy is indeed in danger of getting hurt, then intervene by taking Puppy away from ElderDog, and thereby giving both of them a much needed break.

Answer 4

even if a dog was spayed or neutered, they have instinct and that doesn't go away; first a Mom dog would pick up her pups by the scruff of the neck, lay ontop of them to comfort and keep them warm; in the animal world they work it out to show dominance; it does sound like your older dog is trying to parent; mom and pups play bite each other and siblings play bite with each other; your last question is yes, yes and yes and that is what Mom's do ; she is taking that role and I am sure that 8 week old isn't finding it too different from her real Mom; it all works out; people can't define things by our standards, the animal instinct is strong and misinterpreted; everything is just how Mom would be with pups; she will teach her; if later on down the road , it gets rough or loud play just a firm No and they will tone it down; otherwise , this is normal

Answer 5

Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you https://biturl.im/aUNtQ

A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

Answer 6

I'd say she is just playing, if you watch two dogs play they often mouth around the neck and legs.
Sounds like she has accepted her new play mate with open arms.
Always let your older dog be more dominant for example feed her first and let her through door & pat her first. Hopefully then you won't have a fight in about 8 months time trying to see who is going to be top dog.

Answer 7

I had a 1 yr old male cat and brought home a new male kitten. The older cat never had any other cats in the house, so as soon as we brought the kitten in and put him on the floor, the older one hissed at him and picked him up by the scruff of the neck and carried him to the door. A week later they were best friends.

Answer 8

It sounds like a puppy mill to me. i contemplate whether the well-being dept. or a humane society has investigated him.sometimes a close-by television station will do a human interest tale and verify out to get the animals some help.it may be extra advantageous if some sort government might preserve this extremely of human beings giving him enterprise to save the puppy. That merely supplies him room to get extra to mistreat and sell.