Puppy beating up our 2 year old Bulldog. what can we do?

TangoDown · 12-11-2012, 08:17 PM

Our old english bulldogge has been extremely tolerant of the new addition to our family but Tango (11week Gsd) doesn't seem to be taking any of the hints subtle or overt that she doesn't appreciate the bites to the face. Toy redirection fails and he ignores his known negative marker sound "ah ah." Maggie, the bulldogge, has given him plenty of warning with growls and defers to me to handle the problem. I have allowed her to defend herself and she will hold him down until he stops fighting but as soon as she releases him he's back in her face. I don't want to have to separate them because he needs constant supervision and it's not fair to Maggie to isolate her. I'm out of ideas on how to deal with this.

**MaggieRoseLee** · 12-12-2012, 11:32 AM

Your bulldog is a saint and doing what they should, trying to manage WHILE waiting for help to come.

And that help should be you coming up with better ways to manage the PUPPY.

Crate the puppy for a timeout (not a punishment)

YOU need to step up as a playmate for your puppy so your poor bulldog isn't the only game in town. You brought the puppy into the house so its your job to teach it to play with the humans when it is bored.

Exercise outside the house/yard for the puppy. New places, car rides, people, dogs.

Have you been able to sign up for some good puppy classes yet?

Tons of great info Welcome to the GSD/FAQ's for the first time owner - German Shepherd Dog Forums

:-)

TangoDown · 12-12-2012, 02:21 PM

Thanks for the reply. He has not been in any puppy classes but he tags along to Maggie's group obedience lessons for the extra dog socialization opportunities with known dogs. I take them outside separately to play and engagement train him. that wears him out but when Maggie is sleeping or doesn't want to be bothered and I engage the puppy she suddenly wants to play (she will retrieve or tug until physical collapse). I will bring up the issues with our trainer on Saturday. For now I'll just take him out without Maggie when he starts biting and tire him out. Thanks again.

PatchonGSD · 12-12-2012, 02:27 PM

You could stuff them both in the same t shirt.

TangoDown · 12-12-2012, 02:42 PM

Haha, That shirt is great. Just got back in from taking Tango out and they are currently sleeping next to each other. I just gotta get him to stop grabbing her face and all will be well in the world.

FlyAway · 12-12-2012, 02:52 PM

Puppies will do this and you will need to separate them and give your Bulldog a break from the little guy. Crate, ex-pen, gate in the kitchen. They all work.

Kyleigh · 12-12-2012, 02:55 PM

LMAO I love that T-shirt!!!! I bet my mom wishes she had one of those when we were kids!

Welcome to the forum, and congrats on your new puppy!

MaggieRoseLee gave you some excellent advice!

Your bulldog is a saint ... but she shouldn't expect to be. And when your GSD grows up, it will be a whole new ballgame of "roughness."

There's certainly nothing wrong in having them play together, but the second it gets too amped - your pup is biting, the bulldog has had enough ... time to separate.

And, yes, the crate is a great place for the pup to calm down - 10 - 15 minutes, and during this time, you give the bulldog lots of love.

Then, out comes the puppy, and if you have to, put the bulldog in another room, or at least at a distance away from the puppy to do a great play session with him. Or bring him outside ... or something.

You're going to have your hands full ... I hope your in training classes soon LOL!!!

have fun!

Jag · 12-12-2012, 04:21 PM

That Tshirt is excellent! I may have to do that with my teens over the winter break, LOL!!

My puppy *thankfully* has my pug, who doesn't mind being mauled all the time in play. She gives as good as she gets. I can't imagine what you're going through! Grim has (for the most part) heeded the 'warnings' from the old gal. It's curious that your pup is ignoring that with your bulldog. I know my wife would take your bulldog in a heartbeat!

Gates to protect her or if she's allowed on the bed, putting her in the bedroom for some downtime may work. I'd also crate the pup a few times a day to allow play with the bulldog so she doesn't feel left out. I don't know how long of walks you're taking with your pup, but it sounds like more is needed. Good luck, and how about some pics of both of them?

12-11-2012, 08:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
TangoDown New Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 7	Puppy beating up our 2 year old Bulldog. what can we do? Our old english bulldogge has been extremely tolerant of the new addition to our family but Tango (11week Gsd) doesn't seem to be taking any of the hints subtle or overt that she doesn't appreciate the bites to the face. Toy redirection fails and he ignores his known negative marker sound "ah ah." Maggie, the bulldogge, has given him plenty of warning with growls and defers to me to handle the problem. I have allowed her to defend herself and she will hold him down until he stops fighting but as soon as she releases him he's back in her face. I don't want to have to separate them because he needs constant supervision and it's not fair to Maggie to isolate her. I'm out of ideas on how to deal with this. Last edited by MaggieRoseLee; 12-12-2012 at 11:25 AM.

12-12-2012, 11:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
MaggieRoseLee The Agility Rocks! Moderator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Bushkill, PA (The Poconos!) Posts: 24,256	Your bulldog is a saint and doing what they should, trying to manage WHILE waiting for help to come. And that help should be you coming up with better ways to manage the PUPPY. Crate the puppy for a timeout (not a punishment) YOU need to step up as a playmate for your puppy so your poor bulldog isn't the only game in town. You brought the puppy into the house so its your job to teach it to play with the humans when it is bored. Exercise outside the house/yard for the puppy. New places, car rides, people, dogs. Have you been able to sign up for some good puppy classes yet? Tons of great info Welcome to the GSD/FAQ's for the first time owner - German Shepherd Dog Forums :-) __________________ MACH3 Bretta Lee Wildhaus MXG MJG MXF MFB TQX HIT CGC TC Glory B Wildhaus AX, AXJ, XF "*It is absurd to divide people into good and bad. People are either charming or tedious."* - Oscar Wilde

12-12-2012, 02:27 PM	#4 (permalink)
PatchonGSD Elite Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,514	You could stuff them both in the same t shirt. __________________ Balen Patchon Adopted 8-28-12 http://www.dogster.com/dogs/1275860 Failure is success, if you learn from it.

12-12-2012, 02:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
FlyAway Master Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: The Cold Midwest Posts: 613	Puppies will do this and you will need to separate them and give your Bulldog a break from the little guy. Crate, ex-pen, gate in the kitchen. They all work. __________________ "And why do we fall, Bruce? So we can learn to pick ourselves up."

12-12-2012, 02:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
Kyleigh Elite Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Ontario Posts: 1,316	LMAO I love that T-shirt!!!! I bet my mom wishes she had one of those when we were kids! Welcome to the forum, and congrats on your new puppy! MaggieRoseLee gave you some excellent advice! Your bulldog is a saint ... but she shouldn't expect to be. And when your GSD grows up, it will be a whole new ballgame of "roughness." There's certainly nothing wrong in having them play together, but the second it gets too amped - your pup is biting, the bulldog has had enough ... time to separate. And, yes, the crate is a great place for the pup to calm down - 10 - 15 minutes, and during this time, you give the bulldog lots of love. Then, out comes the puppy, and if you have to, put the bulldog in another room, or at least at a distance away from the puppy to do a great play session with him. Or bring him outside ... or something. You're going to have your hands full ... I hope your in training classes soon LOL!!! have fun! __________________ Marion’s Zoo-Kyleigh, London-cat, Echo-TAG, Ellie-Quaker; www.marionsquilts.com

12-12-2012, 02:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
TangoDown New Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 7	Thanks for the reply. He has not been in any puppy classes but he tags along to Maggie's group obedience lessons for the extra dog socialization opportunities with known dogs. I take them outside separately to play and engagement train him. that wears him out but when Maggie is sleeping or doesn't want to be bothered and I engage the puppy she suddenly wants to play (she will retrieve or tug until physical collapse). I will bring up the issues with our trainer on Saturday. For now I'll just take him out without Maggie when he starts biting and tire him out. Thanks again.

12-12-2012, 02:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
TangoDown New Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 7	Haha, That shirt is great. Just got back in from taking Tango out and they are currently sleeping next to each other. I just gotta get him to stop grabbing her face and all will be well in the world.

12-12-2012, 04:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
Jag Knighted Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,683	That Tshirt is excellent! I may have to do that with my teens over the winter break, LOL!! My puppy thankfully has my pug, who doesn't mind being mauled all the time in play. She gives as good as she gets. I can't imagine what you're going through! Grim has (for the most part) heeded the 'warnings' from the old gal. It's curious that your pup is ignoring that with your bulldog. I know my wife would take your bulldog in a heartbeat! Gates to protect her or if she's allowed on the bed, putting her in the bedroom for some downtime may work. I'd also crate the pup a few times a day to allow play with the bulldog so she doesn't feel left out. I don't know how long of walks you're taking with your pup, but it sounds like more is needed. Good luck, and how about some pics of both of them?

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