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HALLSY68 · 30-12-2011, 09:59 PM

I wonder if anyone can give me any advice. I have a 10 year old Choc Lab called Cocoa who is a wonderful dog with our four children. We purchased a Choc Lab pup we called Paddy who is 10 weeks old and we have had him 3 weeks. We got Paddy as we decided that Cocoa is getting on a bit but she would also be able to help train him. Paddy wants to play alot which is understandable but he does this by biting Cocoa. We have been told to let her check him which we have been doing but Paddy does not seem to give up and barks at her as well. She does bark back and it does get quite heated between them but once he stops she will ignore him, he doesnt like this so will start to bark again and then bite her on the back of her leg to get a reaction from her. We are telling him "no" and then sending him for quite time but he doesnt seem to be getting it. Are we expecting too much too soon? Doing this sort of thing was so long ago when we did it with Cocoa. Rolleyes

View Microsuck's Profile · 31-12-2011, 01:55 AM

Whatever you do, do not hit your dog. Dogs have more bones and muscles than humans, which also means that they have more nerves. So any pain you would feel, is about 2.5x worse to them.

HALLSY68 · 31-12-2011, 02:42 PM

Wouldnt dream of it. I just don't want it to get out of hand and one of them gets hurt. Cocoa is a big dog and Paddy only a little pup.

View Andy's Profile · 01-01-2012, 12:27 AM

I'm sure cocoa is just trying to teach him like a mother would her pups,telling him that it is not acceptable, Lab puppies are very playful and will do anything to play, do they get on alright for the rest of the time are they quite happy together.
What is cocoas body language like when she is having a bark, is any of her fur stood up or is she stood really still, Is her tale down? Or is she wagging her tale? just need to try and work out if what she is doing is aggression, or not.
Also try not to give the pup more attention than you give her make sure you give then both equal amounts of attention.

HALLSY68 · 01-01-2012, 03:34 PM

Hi Andy

They are fine together the rest of the time. They have started to have the occasionally nap together. When she barks she her tail is not down it is usually wagging or still and up, she will get louder and run at him when she has had enough but most of the time he doesnt give up. She has swiped him with her front paw and put her paw in the middle of him back to hold him still. She never seems to be agressive and she doesnt frighten the children in anyway. We have started to walk him just for 10 mins to try and get him to claim down a bit. We are walking them together then bringing pup home and carrying on with Cocoa. Cocoa is a bit nervous around him and I think this is because we have never had another dog while we have had her so she has had to make a big adjustment as well.
We are fussing them both, although probably Cocoa is getting a bit more fuss to reasure her we do still love her. I have told the children not to interfere when they see this happening so Cocoa can finish.

Your comments would be appreciated.

View Andy's Profile · 02-01-2012, 11:53 AM

I'm not really sure what to suggest, as i have never been in this situation myself, as paddy is still a pup he is still learning, do you have a back garden that is enclosed, I think the pup just wants to play and doesn't understand that cocoa, is older and does not have the same energy as he does. I don't think it is aggression but rather just her saying shes not in the mood.
How does she get on with other dogs in general, say family or friends dogs, or dogs she meets on the street.
I think the best thing is to do as has been suggested and let cocoa put him in his place if he don't stop then intervene and tell him no and after he has not bothered her for a min or 2 praise him, I think alot of it is just her trying to say that she is above him in the pack and her saying she is the more dominant one.