I have a 1 1/2 year old male English Mastiff and a 9 month old male Rott, both dogs have been fixed. They start playing really ruff, mastiff has a big gash under one eye. Then after playing with each other for a while they come after me and bite hard. When the dogs are seperated from each other they are fine, it's only when they are together. Walking them helps, but not nearly enough. I have tried crating one, but the other one will tease the one in the crate and then the non stop barking begins. Any suggustions on how to handle them, don't tell me to walk them, like I said walking them helps, but not enough.
I should also mention they don't fight, they just play way to rough.
2007-11-14 08:50:10 · 9 answers · asked by Mark H 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
With rough play you can use sound aversion. When they come after you make a very loud, high, sharp YIP. This is what dogs do as puppies and older when another dog is being too rough. When they are playing together and get to rough, you can make an unpleasant sound (pennies in a jar, yip, airhorn- but not near ears) to distract them and refocus their minds.
Also, don't ever get upset or anxious or stressed when they do this. Remain calm but act assertive and know what you want for them. If they sense you are not calm they will not listen and might get more hyper
2007-11-14 09:00:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
We have an 8 month old male German Shepherd and a 10 month old female Doberman. They are relatively the same size and both love to play rough. I don't allow that kind of play in the house anymore. When they start up, I simply state "STOP" in a very loud, firm voice and they walk away from each other.
Believe me, this took me quite a few tries to get it right (probably weeks). I had to physically separate them often and then send them outside. The Dobie kept going back for more (she's a bit of a psycho), and is a slow learner in comparison to the Shepherd. But now, no matter what behavior that they are doing that I don't like all I have to do is say "STOP" in that voice and they just stop. It is amazing!
2007-11-14 17:29:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ok walking is fine but they need a lot more exercise, trust me they have more energy than you do. You might think about taking them to obedience classes (not at the same time). Gives them one on one time with you. They are both from the working group so both of them needs jobs.
I had a rottie who when he got bored would eat thru walls. I learned really quickly to find interesting things for him to do.
Since you have young dogs neither of them have matured (they keep growing and maturing until they are are at least 3 yrs old). They are trying to establish who is in charge. And since you dont have an older dog to be the one in charge and teach them the order you will have to do this. Once again a trainer will be able to help you with this.
2007-11-14 16:59:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some dogs just really love to play rough. As long as nobody is getting injured there is nothing wrong with it.
You can try giving them mental stimulation (training and games) to help wear them out.
If they come to you and want to be rough with you after being rough with each other, ignore them. Don't even look at them until they calm down and then play with them gently. If you don't want them to be rough with you then NEVER play rough with them. They will get the point and learn that they can rough house with each other but they need to act like civilized beasts with you.
2007-11-14 16:56:41 · answer #4 · answered by fluffy_aliens 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Great suggestions on here!
I have a lab and mastiff (girls) and they play fight really well. Neither of them really 'bites down' on the other; they just nibble. If they are being too rough, separate them and calm them down. If it's harmless (besides gashes), I wouldn't worry about them.
2007-11-14 17:34:44 · answer #5 · answered by Flatpaw 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots of time outs and when they bite you too hard tell them soft, bite nice, etc. I have to give my 2 dogs lots of time outs because my boy plays way too rough and is leaving bumps/gashes all over my girl (who doesn't seem to care but is starting to yell back finally).
2007-11-14 16:57:31 · answer #6 · answered by mommyndd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you tried putting them in a room to play and then leaving? I've always noticed that the intensity of dogs' play is higher when they have an audience.
2007-11-14 17:04:14 · answer #7 · answered by wayfaroutthere 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to set limits for how tough they play. When they start getting nuts calm them down and have them sit next to each other for a minute then walk away. They're having dominance issues and you need to show you're the man not them :)
2007-11-14 16:57:41 · answer #8 · answered by Char 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
EVERY TIME THEY FIGHT TOO ROUGH CRATE BOTH OF THEM!!! LET THEM OUT A LITTLE WHILE LATER AND ID THYE DO IT AGAIN CRATE THEM AGAIN.....KEEP REPEATING
2007-11-14 17:00:42 · answer #9 · answered by princess_shakira_600 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋