Puppy question?

Question

I have two 7 week old female boxer puppies, they are always fighting, one is always the instigator, biting the other pup and biting the 10 month old male that I have, she will bite his lip and his neck and jerk her head while its in her teeth, when she plays with the other pup they get to sounding kinda serious, when does the harmless puppy play stop and something I should be concerned with start?

Answer 1

At 7 weeks they are getting into who is more dominant. As they are female one will end up being the Alfa, or top dog. You said you have another that is a male. You have a pack. A female will always be the top dog, but which one is what they are figuring out. You need to be that Alfa dog. If you put the one that is more aggressive on her back, your hand on her belly to hold her, you will have to growl, yes, I said growl, at her. She may squirm and fight it but she must know you mean it. You look her in the eye and wait till she looks away from you. That is a thing the pack leader does. They won't think in human terms so YOU have to think like them. Repeat this every time she is nasty to the others, or you. When she stops and relaxes rub her tummy and let her know that she's reacting nicely now, baby talk comes in handy at this time. Remember, you have to be the boss.

In time you will learn when they are playing and when it's not. For the most part, females are more aggressive.

Answer 2

That does sound like just play. Because the puppies are so young, they're just like children, testing their boundaries. The other dogs will teach them when it is time to stop. You will know when it gets serious. It's difficult to explain the distinction, but you just [i]know[/i] some how. As your girls mature, it should become less of a problem. If it persists, you may need to begin a little training to curb the aggressive behavior.

Answer 3

Well some dogs may seem a little much sometimes just make sure that they don't over crowd each others boundaries there's a difference between playing just keep an eye on them I grew up with dogs and puppies my parents breed shepherds golden retrievers & collies.

Answer 4

When they start doing this to another dog and they don't stop. This is normal play and nothing to really worry about. The female will fight to the death, the males will give up once they've realized that they lost. Unless the other dog keeps going.

Answer 5

It's never harmless with these dogs. It's rehearsal behavior for when they grow up.

if you selectively bread the aggressive dogs - eventually you get..the ones you have.

All dogs are pack animals and need an alpha. You can be the alpha and stop the behavior - but when your gone- they will do as they will. Their bread to have aggressive tendencies.

Good luck.

Answer 6

Sounds like normal puppy play to me.

If she starts to bring blood,, The Worry.

Answer 7

i have a puppy who is kind of the same way. It may not stop. Seperate the instigator from the group i guess

Answer 8

You shouldn't be too concerned...It sounds like they're playing, they're young...But if you think it's more serious than that, they may be fighting for dominance. If they get serious, separate them. If need be, punish them for fighting. They may grow out of it though. Good luck!

Answer 9

i have the same problem i think you should worry when the majority of the time there are growling and showing there teeth looking malicious and when they are really fighting its natural for them to play just make sure you spit them and shout at them firmly when it get outta hand

Answer 10

Separate her from the rest when she is too rough. Try to give her a little extra exercise too.