Would you discourage??

[Lakl]

Another member recently posted about what they assumed to be protective behavior when out walking their dog and coming upon a stranger. Many dismissed it as fear and of course, the pup is still very young. However, my male pup (10 months) actually did display his first sign of protective behavior last night. The DH and I were play wrestling and he had my arms pinned behind me and I was somewhat squealing. Anyhow, the pup runs up to him while he's holding me and gives several high pitched barks before finally nipping him right on the butt! No damage done, but he did release me, and all returned to normal.

My female has never done this. She will usually just keep jumping up on the both of us while we're playing, but the pup just seemed to want him off of me. I have to admit that I was pleased to see him come to my aide, but is this something I should discourage? Honestly, whether it was play or not, if I am put into a situation like this that was serious, I would want my dog to react from natural instinct, but am I asking for trouble if I allow him to do it with the DH? Like I said, he was not harmed, and we both laughed about it, but my pup is still a baby. Thoughts??

[gsdraven]

Sorry, but it sounds like your pup was playing with you. I would discourage the nipping in the butt because, well, that hurts.

[LaRen616]

Originally Posted by gsdraven

Sorry, but it sounds like your pup was playing with you. I would discourage the nipping in the butt because, well, that hurts.

I agree with you, it sounds like play to me and your puppy was very excited.

[mysweetkaos]

Slippery slope...in my opinion. Do you want to discourage the biting...absolutely. Do you have kids or plan on ever having kids around your pup who may be wrestling with each other? Kaos has never went after my husband when he plays rough with me or the kids....it is truly play, not sure if K knows that or he trusts my husband or what is the difference...Another thing life isn't without disagreements so if you allow this what happens if you and your DH get into a verbal argument? Will your pup feel the need to defend you. I wouldn't encourage it at all...our puppy Sherman learned fast, my husband tackled me in the back yard, Sherman went after my husband, and Kaos swooped in and made a growl at the pup and he backed off....now Sherman is content to not get involved when he sees it. Do I doubt either of my dogs would protect me in a serious situation....nope, but I wouldn't allow them to play it out at home either. Sorry just my long winded opinion.

After re-reading your post...I missed the high pitched bark part.....in my house that means only one thing PLAY WITH ME NOW

[LaRen616]

This is protective behavior
Sinister Showed Aggression!

My male was very friendly, sweet and loved everyone before and after this incident occured, he was 16 months old at the time.

[Lakl]

Yes, it was definitely play, and I do have 4 children so there is A LOT of that going on in my house. 3 of my children are boys, so wrestling is a constant. But no, he has never done this with any of the kids or myself. I guess what made me question it is because he was only focused on the DH. Even after he released me and backed up, the pup continued to bark at him, but in the high pitch bark - no threat more play sounding, and then the DH started playing him. Like I said, with my female, it can go either way, and she will jump on either us during play. I saw it as protective play, but wondered if, as he grows older, it could turn more serious in these type situations... And the DH deserves a nip on the butt sometimes!

[gsdraven]

Originally Posted by Lakl

I guess what made me question it is because he was only focused on the DH. Even after he released me and backed up, the pup continued to bark at him, but in the high pitch bark - no threat more play sounding, and then the DH started playing him. Like I said, with my female, it can go either way, and she will jump on either us during play. I saw it as protective play, but wondered if, as he grows older, it could turn more serious in these type situations... And the DH deserves a nip on the butt sometimes!

Just a wild guess but does your DH play with him rough more than you do? Hubby is that playmate, that's why it was focused at him and not you. Nothing protective about it so I wouldn't worry about it turning more serious. I would however not play with him if he enticed me with teeth.

[mysweetkaos]

Originally Posted by Lakl

Yes, it was definitely play, and I do have 4 children so there is A LOT of that going on in my house. 3 of my children are boys, so wrestling is a constant. But no, he has never done this with any of the kids or myself. I guess what made me question it is because he was only focused on the DH. Even after he released me and backed up, the pup continued to bark at him, but in the high pitch bark - no threat more play sounding, and then the DH started playing him. Like I said, with my female, it can go either way, and she will jump on either us during play. I saw it as protective play, but wondered if, as he grows older, it could turn more serious in these type situations... And the DH deserves a nip on the butt sometimes!

I have 3 boys as well...so my house is always very loud and active in a play way. I wouldn't encourage it, just because he is only going to get bigger and I wouldn't want a 120 lb dog (K) jumping/nipping or any of those to get attention, that would get old real fast and could be dangerous. Like I said even discouraging it....a dog knows the difference as they age and would still protect you. Case in point....little back story. I had a St Bernard years ago....I also had a very abusive boyfriend. Whenever he would be in one of his moods I would always crate her or put her away so that he didn't take his anger out on her (he was a real winner) anyway one night his mood switched out of no-where, he had started yelling at me and my St just layed there watching, I went over to the sink to do dishes, he came up behind me and put a gun to my head, this dog who had never even growled at a human, came up out of nowhere jumped on him grabbing the hand with the gun in her mouth and pulling him to the ground. She knew the difference, never had to show any one before, but she knew when she had to. She continued to stand over him and growl......long story short...I called my parents that night, they drove 4 hours to pick me and my St up and bring us home to them. So thankfully that part of my life is long over to never be repeated.....but I did learn that a good dog that is bonded with you will know when they need to step in.

[Lakl]

Originally Posted by LaRen616

This is protective behavior
Sinister Showed Aggression!

My male was very friendly, sweet and loved everyone before and after this incident occured, he was 16 months old at the time.

Ooh, wow, yea, I would say that was a pretty clear sign! My boy is equally sweet and loves everybody and amazing with the kids, and though I'd hope to never be in a situation that warranted it, it would be reassuring to know this would come naturally to him at a mature age. In a case of fight or flight, my female is ALWAYS in flight mode, but she is also highly fear reactive.

[LaRen616]

Originally Posted by Lakl

Ooh, wow, yea, I would say that was a pretty clear sign! My boy is equally sweet and loves everybody and amazing with the kids, and though I'd hope to never be in a situation that warranted it, it would be reassuring to know this would come naturally to him at a mature age. In a case of fight or flight, my female is ALWAYS in flight mode, but she is also highly fear reactive.

It shocked me when he did it. I would have never thought he would have acted that way because I kid you not he has never met someone he didn't like until he met those 2 guys.