Are my dogs playing or fighting? Video included?

Question

I have a 6 month old Alaskan Malamute and a two yr old Schipperke. They get along great all the time - but sometimes I think they get too riled up while playing. It really worries me! My mal has even picked up my schipperke by his tail and carried him around! His poor tail is like half as thick as it used to be!!! I have included a video where you can pretty much see them 'playing' and my mal seems to be really annoying me schipperke. In the end of the video, my little dog jumps in my lap to get away from the big one. I am afraid my mal ( who is only half grown) is going to end up hurting my baby (the little dog).
What should I do? He doesn't understand when i punish him for playing too rough! We were thinking about getting a medium sized dog - like a Golden Retriever or something ( any medium dog breeds that would fit that you could think of would be greatly appreciated)
Is this 'playing' too rough?
http://s200.photobucket.com/albums/aa25/Malamute_Mom/?action=view¤t=100_3867.flv

the video is about 30 secs long and it gets worse at it goes on. This is actually not near as mean as they get sometimes! My little dog scares me with how mean he sounds!!

Answer 1

THEY ARE PLAYING! I have a 150 pound *dog and a weenie dog and they play like that all the time. If they weren't, you'd hear yelping and growling! They are definitely having a blast! *My dog is a Malamute/wolf mix.

Answer 2

The Malamute just wants to play but the Shipperke doesn't really seem to be into it. Because of it's size, your Malamute can hurt the little Shipperke by accident. Kodiak really doesn't seem to be aggressive in the video and the Shipperke might growl at him because he's had enough. Try to supervize them and let Kodiak know when to stop. (Use the dog's whisperer's techniques, watch him on National Geographic).
It's really healthy for a dog to be able to play with his own kind so I would suggest bringing Kodiak to the dog park where he can have fun wih dogs his own size and the Shipperke can rest and have some time by himself.
Having 3 dogs will take a lot of time and money but if you can afford all that get another one. The best way to do it would be to go to a shelter or contact a rescue group and ask them about the dogs they have and if you can bring your dogs to see if they get along ( try www.petfinder.com ). If you see a dog that you like, make sure he's about Kodiak's size and age (not too small), that he's good with small dogs (Shipperke), and that he has the same energy and is as playful as Kodiak, the Malamute. I don't think you'll be able to see that if you get another dog from a petshop or some breeders, this is why I think shelter or rescue group would be better (plus you'll save a life;). But again, if you don't think you'll have enough time to spend with 3 dogs, please do not consider getting one. Another way you can keep your malamute from bothering the Shipperke is to find him a buddy and have playdates. Ask your neighbors and friends if they want to bring their dogs over...

Answer 3

They're probably just playing. The Schipperke is going to put up with more stuff from the puppy than it would with an adult, but he may snap at the Mal after a while - this is how the bigger dog will learn what is and isn't okay. It looks like playing to me, as long as they both know when to take breaks, it's fine.

Answer 4

That is 100% playing. Their body language is not aggressive at all. I work in rescue where I have to introduce new dogs to the old ones so I have seen FIGHTS and that is NOT it. That is absolutely just playing.
If it gets too rough for you then stop them, but dogs play rough and they love it and certainly don't need to be punished for it. If you want them to stop, just distract them or separate them but don't punish them just for playing. Playing creates good relationships in the pack and is actually beneficial. My dogs look like they are going to kill each other but they are having a blast.
A good way to tell is break out the treats in the middle and if they stop and come to get a treat, they are NOT fighting. Nothing stops a real fight, even treats.
Trust me, if your big dog is playing too rough for the small one, the small guy will let him know. When playing the intention is not to hurt so they will ease off if the other dog gets upset.

Answer 5

I was almost afraid to look at the video - I expected to see the malamute savaging the schipperke. That's calm compared to how my 2 play, the smaller female sounds like the dog from Hell when she plays and she's the sweetest little lap dog. That's playing, neither one of your dogs seem stressed or afraid and if it were my 2 playing like that I wouldn't worry. I've seen much bigger dogs play like your malamute with my 15 lb. female and it doesn't bother her at all. Dogs know instinctively when there's an imminently dangerous situation and you can usually tell from their body language if they don't like it - my dogs tails go between their legs or they sit or lie down to diffuse the situation. If you're worried that one might get hurt, distract them with a treat or toy.

Answer 6

Your Mal will one day kill the little one if you don't interveen and get a real hold on the mal. The mean sounds the little one makes is to make himself sound larger and more menicing in an attempt to scare the mal into leaving him alone. Never Never bring a female into the mix or the little one will die.
You can change the situation by making the Mal understand you are the alpha and he answeres to you. The next time he is being mean and you tell him no and he continues turn him onto his back holding his mouth so he can't bite you and put your teeth on his neck just hard enough to hurt a little and growl in his face till he whimper and goes limp under your hold on him. Then feed him food you have chewed up for him as another display of bonding and your alpha status. You may have to do this a couple times but he will stop when you tell him no or the aha aha sound. Never use a weapon on the dogs use only your hands and spank like a kid telling them no over and over again while punishing them and put out side for a period of time longer each time till they get it.

Answer 7

I have two Maltese brothers so they are the same size. They play a lot worse than your video. They are just playing. When I think one is getting the better of the other, I separate them and the one I thought was getting it the worse, goes right back for more.

I wouldn't say your two are fighting. They look like they are having a good time. I don't know why you would want to get another one. Then they are like little kids, you always have one left out. You have to have an even number, not odd.

Answer 8

ok from what i see their playing, but u say it gets worse then just playing. i'm guessing the Alaskan Malamute is playing but the Schipperke is really talking it to heart. image if ur the little dog and a big dog keeps bugging u. u'll get mad too. Dont worry about it dogs will be dogs. my Shi tzu and Sheltie play fight all the time and yea it gets to a point that they fight fight but all u have to is just yell at them to stop. and they wont do it anymore.

Answer 9

OK - first of all, what are you doing to "punish" your dog for playing roughly?
The video shows your dogs playing - there are good signals coming from the Mal that say, "Calm down" (in the beginning of the video, the turn of his face away and to the left), also the curved spine, and the bouncy, playful movements that 2 dogs playing use.
Of course, your small dog will leave when he feels overwhelmed. That's normal and your larger dog does NOT deserve to be punished for that.

Answer 10

I have two pit bull puppies and they play like that too. When dogs get mad the fur on their back stands up and their tail usually sticks up or straight out. Your dogs appear to be playing from what I see. My dogs growl and bark too but when they actually fight they snarl and you can hear the difference.