Puppy play: too aggressive or normal?

[SWHouston]

That looks as normal as Apple Pie to me, and Zeus is being a real gentleman as well. However, I wouldn't separate them when that happens. Zeus must be made aware of Athena's limits/endurance during such events. She'll let him know when she's had enough.

Ya gotta trust "Puppy Power"

[R-Teddy]

Originally Posted by Lap Princess

That looks totally normal dog play to me. Just be careful of the size difference. I def don't see anything aggressive or out of the ordinary at all. If anything, your Shih Tzu seems fairly gentle. Little Athena is just being a terrier.

I have to admit I do think Zeus is very well behaved with her. I have been so proud of him. I completely expected I would have to keep them apart because he would be too ruff with her.

I laughed out loud at what you said about Athena. perhaps thats the problem. I have never had a terrier before. Not use to it.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Lap Princess

That looks totally normal dog play to me. Just be careful of the size difference. I def don't see anything aggressive or out of the ordinary at all. If anything, your Shih Tzu seems fairly gentle. Little Athena is just being a terrier.

Robin, completely normal and gentle! Zeus and Athena are darling together.

Now you can help me: why are my boys turning into cats this week? They sit and paw at each other's faces like kitties. Cabin fever is making them goofy.

[sandil1205]

oh, too cute! they are mouthing...looks the same as when Gus & Jake play...
Zeus is beautiful!

Originally Posted by R-Teddy

ok I apparently did something wrong because the video didnt just show up but came up as a link. but you can still get to it by clicking on it.

[R-Teddy]

Originally Posted by Maximo

Robin, completely normal and gentle! Zeus and Athena are darling together.

Now you can help me: why are my boys turning into cats this week? They sit and paw at each other's faces like kitties. Cabin fever is making them goofy.

I should have posted a video sooner. i honestly didnt even think about it until the other poster did so. It understandably makes a difference.

lol I can't help your on the babies turning into cats. I dont think my Zeus knows what he is half the time, sometimes he is a cat, sometimes a human, once in a while a dog. Athena talks back to us when were scolding her like shes a little human. Just now she kept whining cause she doesnt like being caged by baby gates. My daughter kept telling her "Athena, your fine, stop that noise" Athena looked up at her and does a little puppy growl that I swear was like a little kid showing frustration at something mom or an older sibling says. I almost expected her to stomp her foot while she was at it. Was hilarious.

[R-Teddy]

Originally Posted by sandil1205

oh, too cute! they are mouthing...looks the same as when Gus & Jake play...
Zeus is beautiful!

Thank you. I think he is a pretty handsome dude. now if I could just find more boy bows for him. I dont like putting frilly Lacey bows that are all girly on him. I do have one with a motorcycle on it and another with a skull and crossbones......lol. I mean all bows are girly to a point simply because they are bows, but there are a handful out their that are a little more manly. .

When the time came I was asked to take one of the yorkie pups , I specifically wanted a girl if possible, so I could dress her in pretty pink Lacey bows and dresses.

[Britster]

Yep, looks totally normal!!! They are adorable together.

[Teegy]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

Well one of the things there mother teaches them until they are 12 weeks is socialization with other dogs and bite inhibition. Sense she's 6 weeks your gonna have to teach her. I would say a firm no when she does it and then separate them for a little while. Like put her in a play pen or something.

You know my friend got his pups at 13 weeks and he took two sisters. They are so well socialized it's awesome. Do you know his vet actually said 13 weeks is a bit old to be getting pups. I told him what to tell his vet from me.

[Teegy]

Originally Posted by R-Teddy

Here is a video of the two playing. At the end is where I separated them because Athena walked away and was obviously done but zeus wasn't. so I told him no more, and put him in the other room with the baby gate.


Athena and Zeus play fight - YouTube

It looks like she's going for the jugular because that's all she can reach hahahaha, so adorable and completely normal

[R-Teddy]

Originally Posted by Teegy

It looks like she's going for the jugular because that's all she can reach hahahaha, so adorable and completely normal

Yeah I kind of realized that when they were doing it yesterday and I felt kind of stupid.......lol. but it was after I posted this thread so what to do.

[lisaly]

Both of your little ones are so adorable. Zeus is so gentle with Athena. If you are looking for boy boys, you can order from Susan at Bowbiz. She also has 7/8" bows.

Boy Dog Bows - Top Quality, Handmade Dog Bows - Yorkie, Maltese, Shih Tzu - by BowBiz

[R-Teddy]

Originally Posted by lisaly

Both of your little ones are so adorable. Zeus is so gentle with Athena. If you are looking for boy boys, you can order from Susan at Bowbiz. She also has 7/8" bows.

Boy Dog Bows - Top Quality, Handmade Dog Bows - Yorkie, Maltese, Shih Tzu - by BowBiz

thank you so much. ill go take a look.

[Lovetodream88]

Originally Posted by Teegy

You know my friend got his pups at 13 weeks and he took two sisters. They are so well socialized it's awesome. Do you know his vet actually said 13 weeks is a bit old to be getting pups. I told him what to tell his vet from me.

Yeah most vets really don't know each and every breed and know what is best for them. I was told by a vet the breeder normally knows more then them on that stuff.

[gracielove]

Well, she is exhibiting typical terrier behavior. I had a Shih Tzu for 15 years and I can tell you that they have a much calmer nature than a Yorkie. They have totally different backgrounds as far as what they were created to do and the type of temperaments that were needed in order to carry out their tasks. Most dogs that we call purebreds today were deliberately genetically manipulate in order to create a dog that could preform certain tasks.

Most of the smaller terriers, like the Yorkie, were bred to kill rodents in small spaces, like inside walls or down in holes. They were bred to have a very tenacious personality. Most love a good fight for breakfast and then would come back for more after lunch.

In your original post you were concerned about how excited she gets when they wrestle. Well, she is doing what a terrier loves best, fighting. It may be play fight right now but if I were you I would teach her to stop when you say so. Don't let her get too over excited. As she gets older she could nip a lot harder and your Shih Tzu is not going to be a match for her because he does not have that kind of nature. The Shih Tzu is a lover, not a fighter like a terrier. Right now you are teaching her that it is OK to fight. It is not your Shih Tzu that is really fighting here, it is your terrier.

They are dogs and dogs need boundaries. If you let this go it is possible that you could regret it later. You will see as she gets older that this type of activity could get more aggressive as she gets bigger.

I had my own issues with my own terrorist terrier puppy. It was a test of wills concerning who would win. I'm still not sure at this point just who was the victor.

[R-Teddy]

Originally Posted by gracielove

Well, she is exhibiting typical terrier behavior. I had a Shih Tzu for 15 years and I can tell you that they have a much calmer nature than a Yorkie. They have totally different backgrounds as far as what they were created to do and the type of temperaments that were needed in order to carry out their tasks. Most dogs that we call purebreds today were deliberately genetically manipulate in order to create a dog that could preform certain tasks.

Most of the smaller terriers, like the Yorkie, were bred to kill rodents in small spaces, like inside walls or down in holes. They were bred to have a very tenacious personality. Most love a good fight for breakfast and then would come back for more after lunch.

In your original post you were concerned about how excited she gets when they wrestle. Well, she is doing what a terrier loves best, fighting. It may be play fight right now but if I were you I would teach her to stop when you say so. Don't let her get too over excited. As she gets older she could nip a lot harder and your Shih Tzu is not going to be a match for her because he does not have that kind of nature. The Shih Tzu is a lover, not a fighter like a terrier. Right now you are teaching her that it is OK to fight. It is not your Shih Tzu that is really fighting here, it is your terrier.

They are dogs and dogs need boundaries. If you let this go it is possible that you could regret it later. You will see as she gets older that this type of activity could get more aggressive as she gets bigger.

I had my own issues with my own terrorist terrier puppy. It was a test of wills concerning who would win. I'm still not sure at this point just who was the victor.

Very good points and info. thank you.