Older dog playing too rough?

[baxiesmom]

I have a 2 year old Boxer/Lab mix. He's mostly Boxer - his manner, looks, etc. Anyway...

I just got a Boston Terrier puppy on Friday. She is only 4 lbs. Baxter (my Boxer/Lab) is about 70.

He likes to play with his front paws all the time - but now he is kind of smacking the puppy around with his feet! I don't think he realizes how huge his feet are. The puppy pretty much just barks at him when he does it. I've been separating them when he won't listen to "gentle" or "no paws".

At first, she couldn't even walk around without him being on her to sniff/play.

I have her separated in one half of the family room. He seems to be better with her when they are both outside in the yard - less rough than in the house.

He did teach her how to come in the door. He also taught her how to climb the step up in my mudroom. He had to go back and show her a few times before she did it - It was cute LOL. He also goes back for her if he knows she isn't following him in.

Any suggestions on how to get him to play gently? I probably wouldn't be concerned if she was his size, but because she's tiny I worry a lot more.

thanks,

[Doreen]

I don't know... sounds like you are doing it right to me..... good luck and please post some photos!

[lauriej57]

I would continue doing what you are doing, doing time outs when Baxter gets too rough, and keeping a close eye on them.

I have a 7 week old Boxer, he's about 10 lbs now, he was the only survivor out of a litter of 3 from our female. We kept Missy and Bruno (the pup) in a crate in our living room for the first week, added a box the 2nd week, so our other two, Aunt Sophie, and Papa Rocky could get used to him, and have some interaction with him. Then me or hubby would hold Bruno in our lap and let them sniff him, and we worked up to letting him on the floor with him, one on one at first. Now, he is running around with them, with no problems, except that Rocky, (who is not quite a year old yet) can get really hyper when they are playing. He does the same thing, using his paws to bat Bruno around. He doesn't mean to be so rough, he's just playing. Even a 2 year old Boxer is just a pup at heart.

You should notice a big improvement once the newness of the pup wears off.

A word of caution though. And sorry, I can get a bit wordy when I'm trying to explain something. I was somewhat kicked off another forum for my thoughts on allowing puppies to be around the big dogs. I was asking questions because Missy had an only pup, and I was worried about socializing him. I was told by several people to not allow a pup with big dogs for several months, and sorry, but I didn't agree with that. We always superivse their time together though. There was one lady there though, who left her 4 month old pup outside with her other dogs, while she went inside for maybe 15 minutes, and the older dogs killed the pup. It was not a mean, intentional thing on the part of the other dogs, they basically played/mauled him to death.

I could see Rocky doing that to Bruno, just playing with him and not realizing that he's hurting him. I also have the advantage though, that I never let Bruno outside with Rocky and Sophie unless Mama Missy is with them. Missy only has to give the other 2 her "look" and they back down. We never let Bruno outside with the other dogs unless we are out there to keep an eye on things.

I don't mean to scare you, but caution you.

From what you've said, I think Baxter is going to be a really good teacher, and become the pups best buddy.

Keep us posted.