Hello,
In February we introduced our 8.5 year old Pitbull, Cloe (Biggie Doggie), to 8 week old Pitbull, Penny Pearl (Punny Puppy). Both are rescue dogs (and spayed) and met before the adoption. Cloe was confused at first, but was always gentle during play. Penny is very...puppy, for lack of a better explanation and has to have every toy and be everywhere. Cloe has been very lenient with minor corrections, but normally will relinquish her toys or rawhide. She even learned to play with toys she doesn't like to get Penny's attention on them to get the toy she wants.*
They lay by the fire or on pillows together. Cloe will even lay outside of Penny's crate or the door to her room. Penny is crated at night, when we leave, or when we cannot supervise. She has a room and we keep the door shut during quiet time.*
They've always played well, but the play has gotten more rough and tumble, especially when that extra puppy energy kicks in. There's been more mouthing, but they'll normally stop and relax then resume. When it gets too much Cloe will growl to show Penny it's too much...then play bow*and continue. We normally keep Penny leashed so we can catch her to bring her back in.
A week ago they were playing within 5 feet of us in the yard and it escalated, we think Cloe felt cornered, and she snapped and bit Penny. We got them apart and took Penny to the vet. No stitches or anything major. When we got back Cloe came to greet her and gently nosed her then waited outside her door that night.
They were kept separate most of the day and Cloe was gentle and showed concern. They laid down together and Penny showed her normal excitement to see her by wiggling her little butt. So we have no concern about Penny fearing her, but now we're worried it could happen again and how we can reduce or eliminate any issues.
They're never out of sight, but Penny likes to randomly bolt which makes Cloe want to play. Cloe grabbed a rope the other day, jumped off the deck, and bowed to Penny...wagging her tail with her, "let's play" look.
We're focusing even stronger on manners and calm behavior. Both dogs need to sit before anything happens. When we do leash work Cloe walks along side us in the yard. When there's any type of excitement I use a calm, firm voice to control both dogs.*
Our thought was that Penny hit adolescence, lost her puppy card, and Cloe got overly stressed. We've had poor weather which limited outside activity. Both dogs now have thundershirts, we've instituted walks (we have a large fenced yard) so we can stimulate them both while having control, and regular sessions where my wife and I have them next to each other while petting and administering treats. Each dog gets alone time in different rooms and yard time. During treat time Cloe will lay down calmly while Penny sits or lays against her, but we don't want to lull ourselves into complacency.*
We hope the consistency and work on Penny's manners as well as her growth (she's a health 38 lbs. To Cloe's 45) and being cognizant of Cloe's stressors will turn this around and help maintain a peaceful environment. When we see yawning or sense their excitement rise we descalate and give them alone time we their toys.
Aside from the measures stated above, we're restricting play with each other, only gentle contact. All toys have been removed from the common areas...only in their safe spaces, and we regularly swap giving them freedom in the house so they don't feel cooped up.
Cloe is a very cuddly and loving dog. Penny hates baths and Cloe will sit outside the tub to calm her or to stand by her if she gets the hiccups and Penny is a spunky, everything and everyone loving puppy and we want both to stay that way.
We are very determined and my wife claims I have a Saint's patience so I know we can do this, I just want to make sure we're doing it right.
Any advice, tips, or guidance is appreciated and I thank you for taking time to read and share with us.
In February we introduced our 8.5 year old Pitbull, Cloe (Biggie Doggie), to 8 week old Pitbull, Penny Pearl (Punny Puppy). Both are rescue dogs (and spayed) and met before the adoption. Cloe was confused at first, but was always gentle during play. Penny is very...puppy, for lack of a better explanation and has to have every toy and be everywhere. Cloe has been very lenient with minor corrections, but normally will relinquish her toys or rawhide. She even learned to play with toys she doesn't like to get Penny's attention on them to get the toy she wants.*
They lay by the fire or on pillows together. Cloe will even lay outside of Penny's crate or the door to her room. Penny is crated at night, when we leave, or when we cannot supervise. She has a room and we keep the door shut during quiet time.*
They've always played well, but the play has gotten more rough and tumble, especially when that extra puppy energy kicks in. There's been more mouthing, but they'll normally stop and relax then resume. When it gets too much Cloe will growl to show Penny it's too much...then play bow*and continue. We normally keep Penny leashed so we can catch her to bring her back in.
A week ago they were playing within 5 feet of us in the yard and it escalated, we think Cloe felt cornered, and she snapped and bit Penny. We got them apart and took Penny to the vet. No stitches or anything major. When we got back Cloe came to greet her and gently nosed her then waited outside her door that night.
They were kept separate most of the day and Cloe was gentle and showed concern. They laid down together and Penny showed her normal excitement to see her by wiggling her little butt. So we have no concern about Penny fearing her, but now we're worried it could happen again and how we can reduce or eliminate any issues.
They're never out of sight, but Penny likes to randomly bolt which makes Cloe want to play. Cloe grabbed a rope the other day, jumped off the deck, and bowed to Penny...wagging her tail with her, "let's play" look.
We're focusing even stronger on manners and calm behavior. Both dogs need to sit before anything happens. When we do leash work Cloe walks along side us in the yard. When there's any type of excitement I use a calm, firm voice to control both dogs.*
Our thought was that Penny hit adolescence, lost her puppy card, and Cloe got overly stressed. We've had poor weather which limited outside activity. Both dogs now have thundershirts, we've instituted walks (we have a large fenced yard) so we can stimulate them both while having control, and regular sessions where my wife and I have them next to each other while petting and administering treats. Each dog gets alone time in different rooms and yard time. During treat time Cloe will lay down calmly while Penny sits or lays against her, but we don't want to lull ourselves into complacency.*
We hope the consistency and work on Penny's manners as well as her growth (she's a health 38 lbs. To Cloe's 45) and being cognizant of Cloe's stressors will turn this around and help maintain a peaceful environment. When we see yawning or sense their excitement rise we descalate and give them alone time we their toys.
Aside from the measures stated above, we're restricting play with each other, only gentle contact. All toys have been removed from the common areas...only in their safe spaces, and we regularly swap giving them freedom in the house so they don't feel cooped up.
Cloe is a very cuddly and loving dog. Penny hates baths and Cloe will sit outside the tub to calm her or to stand by her if she gets the hiccups and Penny is a spunky, everything and everyone loving puppy and we want both to stay that way.
We are very determined and my wife claims I have a Saint's patience so I know we can do this, I just want to make sure we're doing it right.
Any advice, tips, or guidance is appreciated and I thank you for taking time to read and share with us.