Expert: Alan J Turner, SATS LL1 - 10/30/2006

Question
Is it playing, love, attention or what? I have 2 lab puppies. Blk female age 10 months almost 11 months and a yellow male lab about 15 weeks. She bites him hard sometimes and has been teaching him bad habits. He isn't potty trained yet but working on it, thing is he has had accidents and she now poops in the house? Why?

Answer
Dear Candy,
Thanks for the question.
Of course dogs do play rough and they may be playing. Puppies under 12 weeks old have what
we call a "puppy license" in the dog world. That means that most normal older dogs tolerate the puppies' lack of experience in play and do not hurt them. The older dogs will correct them but not usually do any physical harm.
Even after 12 weeks, older pups will safely correct yonger pups. To determine if the dogs are playing nicely look for these signs-
1) they take turns at "being on top" one will be on top of the other and then they will switch up and
trade places. In other words they take turns. One will be submissive and one the aggressor, then
they switch roles. This is normal dog play.

2) Neither of them is hiding or desperately trying to get away from the other. If your new pup is constantly hiding behind you or getting his whole body real low to the ground whenever the older female heads his way, he might be truly scared. On the other hand if he keeps going back for more, he is probably having doggie fun!

3) look for play "bows". if either dog has his or her rear end up and his or her front feet and head
are down, that is an invitation for play. The dog that bows is saying, "Hey, let's play!".

Of course the female is still a puppy and may not quite know how to act. The main thing to do now is to
not let the older pup bully the yonger one. If he is truly trying to avoid her, then you should step in. Don't punish either dog, just move them apart and let them relax.

The older dog is using the house because the pup is using the house. Anytime a dog walks past an area that smells like a doggie bathroom, he or she will use it too.

Visit my web site and download the free housetraining guide. Web addy is http:///www.howsbentley.com

Happy Training!
AT