My Puppy Plays Too Rough with Small Dogs - How to Stop Aggression

Playing with small dogs can be a challenge, especially if your puppy is still learning how to interact with them gently.

Puppies under 6 months old are still developing their social skills and may not understand personal space boundaries.

Small dogs can be easily injured by rough play, so it's essential to teach your puppy to be gentle.

Puppies that are over-exuberant or not well-socialized may be more likely to play too rough with small dogs.

A good rule of thumb is to separate your puppy from small dogs if you see signs of aggression or fear, such as growling or hiding.

Intriguing read: Hush Puppy

Puppies play-fight with each other and with you, and it can continue for months or even up to a year. This is a normal part of their learning process and helps them build relationships and learn what's acceptable behavior in a safe atmosphere.

Well-socialized dogs are less likely to play-fight as they get older, but they may still respond to a younger dog who wants to play. This is because they understand that play-fighting is a natural part of a canine's learning curve.

Puppies may appear to be aggressive when they're just playing rough, but there are key signs to look out for. A high growl with lots of movement, tugging, and a backward stance with bum in the air are all signs of play, not aggression.

Here's a table to help you distinguish between play and aggression:

If you're concerned about your puppy's behavior, it's always a good idea to consult with a professional trainer or behaviorist for personalized advice.

As you watch your puppy play with another dog, you might worry that they're getting too rough. But play-fighting is a normal behavior for young dogs, and it's actually a way for them to learn how to behave with other animals and burn off energy.

Puppies will often "mouth" or nip at each other, but they won't break skin. They'll also swap roles, with one dog on top and then the other, without any real tussle for dominance.

If you speak or make a noise, the dogs will notice you, but they might not immediately stop playing. You'll see their ears perk up, though!

Playful sounds are a dead giveaway that the dogs are just playing. You won't hear deep snarling or anxious, high-pitched yelps.

Both dogs will be bouncy and joyful, and they might even display the "play bow" – with their front paws and head lowered to the ground.

Here are some signs that dogs are playing, not really fighting:

Puppies will play-fight with one another, with older dogs, and with you, and it can continue for months or even up to a year.

Well-socialized dogs are less likely to play-fight as they get older, but this doesn't mean an older dog won't respond to a younger dog who wants to play. They might indulge them, depending on their mood.

If your pup hurts you when they're playing, try removing the "reward" (the game). Stop playing and exclaim, and the pup will associate the sound with their bite, and this is how they can learn bite-inhibition.

For more insights, see: Movie Dog Playing

You can also play a part in this early training by redirecting your puppy to toys or chews when their play becomes too rough. They should learn there is a difference between biting people and toys!

Here's a rough guide to help you understand your puppy's play-biting levels:

By gradually teaching your puppy to bite softer, you can help them understand what's acceptable and what's not. For example, if your puppy gets a time-out for a level 5 bite this week, next week time out anything that's a 4 or above, and continue this process until your puppy consistently delivers only level 1 bites.

It's also essential to teach your puppy to be gentle with hands and that nipping results in unpleasant consequences. After a nip, yell "OUCH" as though you've been wounded, then ignore her until she's calm, and offer the chew bone and petting method again.

You might enjoy: Senior Dogs Eat Puppy Food

Training is an integral part of dog ownership, and all dogs need to learn good manners when around people and other dogs. It's helpful if your dog knows basic commands, such as 'leave', 'sit', and 'down', which can make it easier to intervene if dog play becomes too rough.

Socialization is the key to raising a confident and peaceful dog. If you want a dog who is calm and confident when they're out walking, and less likely to engage in play-fighting, socialization is the way to go.

Meeting people and dogs is a great way to socialize your puppy. Take your puppy to meet people and dogs, allowing them to learn about the environment and practice behaving around others.

Neutering or spaying your dog can help prevent aggression and reduce the likelihood of play-fighting. However, it's not a simple solution and doesn't always have the desired effect.

Play-fighting with an older, familiar, and trusted dog can be a way for a puppy to build a relationship and learn what's acceptable in a safe atmosphere. Even older dogs with stiff legs can still play-fight with younger dogs.

Removing the "reward" (the game) when your pup hurts you during play is a great way to teach them bite-inhibition. This can help them learn the difference between biting people and toys.

Allowing your puppy to play with other dogs is essential for their development. If you don't have another dog in the house, arrange to meet friends with dogs so that your puppy has some older pals.

You might like: When Dogs Try to Play Leapfrog 18+?

Puppies play rough, and it's normal for them to do so, especially with each other. It can be hard to tell the difference between play and aggression, but it's essential to understand the signs of aggression to ensure everyone's safety.

A low growl accompanied by a freeze is a sign of aggression, whereas a high growl with lots of movement is more likely play. Tugging is also a play behavior, whereas snapping and grabbing are signs of aggression.

To manage aggression, it's crucial to identify the triggers and develop a structured plan to desensitize your puppy to them. For example, if your puppy is guarding objects, teach them that it's okay for you to take things from them and that they'll get something better in return.

Here's a table to help you distinguish between play and aggression:

By understanding the signs of aggression and taking steps to manage it, you can ensure a safe and happy environment for both your puppy and the small dogs they play with.

Your puppy's aggression can be caused by a variety of factors, including resource guarding, fear, and over-excitement. It's essential to understand that your puppy isn't being aggressive on purpose, but rather they're having a hard time coping with their emotions.

Puppies will often play-fight with each other, and even with you, which can be a normal part of their development. However, it's crucial to distinguish between play-fighting and aggressive behavior. A high-pitched growl with lots of movement is often a sign of play, whereas a low growl accompanied by a freeze can be a sign of aggression.

Resource guarding is another common cause of aggression in puppies. This can be triggered by a variety of things, such as guarding food or toys. If your puppy is guarding something, it's essential to teach them that it's okay for you to take it away and replace it with something else.

In some cases, puppies may become aggressive due to fear or anxiety. If your puppy is fearful of people or situations, they may learn to associate certain behaviors with safety, such as growling or biting. To address this, you'll need to teach your puppy that nice things happen when strangers are around, and that they don't need to be aggressive to feel safe.

You might like: Teach Dog

Here are some common reasons why your puppy might be displaying aggressive puppy signs:

It's essential to identify the underlying cause of your puppy's aggression and address it accordingly. By understanding why your puppy is behaving in a certain way, you can develop a plan to help them overcome their aggression and become a well-behaved and loving companion.

Consider reading: Cavapoo Puppie

Neutering can be an option for excessively boisterous male dogs, which may help calm them down. However, it's essential to consider the potential risks, especially for aggressive bitches, as studies have shown that neutering can exacerbate aggression.

Neutering may not be the solution for all aggressive dogs, and it's crucial to explore other options. In fact, studies have shown that neutering can make aggression worse in some cases.

Dogs that are not neutered may still be perfectly fine and loving companions, and aggression can stem from various factors, not just hormones. It's also worth noting that neutering won't solve underlying behavioral issues, so addressing those is essential.

If you're considering neutering your dog, it's vital to consult with a veterinarian to discuss the potential benefits and risks. They can help you make an informed decision based on your dog's specific needs and circumstances.

Puppies play rough, and it's normal for them to exhibit behaviors that might look aggressive. This rough play can be especially intense when they're playing with each other.

A low growl accompanied by a freeze is a sign of aggression, but a high growl with lots of movement is often just play. It's essential to learn the difference.

Here's a table to help you distinguish between aggression and play:

Identifying the triggers for your puppy's aggressive behavior is crucial in preventing aggression. Is your puppy guarding something they don't want you to have or take away from them?