Rough Housing or Aggression?

Went to visit the sister yesterday as she wasn't well. She has a 3 month old cockerpoo who hasn't seen another dog apart from her families. We introduced them both behind a baby gate to sniff each other and check there was no issues then let them meet in the same room.

My sis pooch being a pup was mouthing at Nita. Nita didn't seem to mind at first but after a while she got on top of him and pinned him down and placed her mouth round his neck. She didn't bite and there was no yelps from the pup but my sis thinks Nita was aggressive. Personally I don't, and think she was teaching the pup enough is enough.
I noticed play bows from both of them and bouncy movements from both and my sisters pup kept coming back for more.

Here is a video I captured when Nita did it.



Now my sis is scared of dogs (don't ask) so I was trying to explain to her that as long as either doesn't show any aggression then they need to sort their issues out together as dogs do, if they arise. Nita came away with some scratches as of course pups claws are like daggers but her pup was none the worse for ware.

Video is private..!!!
But I wouldnt say that sounds like aggression. It sounds more like a puppy being taught its place in the pack.. eg at the bottom!!

Sorry, just changed it

No. That's not aggression.
That is a very tolerant dog by the looks of it!!

Nita just wanted to play with the kong and the puppy wouldn't let her have and peace and quiet.

Puppies often annoy older dogs in my experience!! This was no exception.

Did they have time apart during the visit or always in the same room?

Exactly, thanks for that. That was my thought. At one point she slammed him into the side of the sofa as he was constantly annoying her. He got the message and left her alone for a while and Nita then went and laid down and fell asleep.


They had time apart, only when I went out to do some shopping for my sis although my sisters pup was whining for Nita They were like it right next to my sister and she panicked thinking Nita was aggressive towards Benton.
In fact they happily shared the same bowl of water despite two bowls out, no agro at all. They even fell asleep in the same bed at one point.

Looks like normal play to me. You would certainly know it if Nita really did become aggressive. She looks like a very placid girl to me.

One word of advice though, you were right to seperate them when you thought it was getting a little too rough but make sure they have a time out from each other to cool off before resuming play.

Good point Ian. I didn't think of that at the time. I had to split them at that point as Nita was getting a bit too boisterous with him. He is a gorgeous little pooch though and so daft. I took him for his first walk yesterday (he had been house bound on vets orders as he had had meningitis, all clear now) and he was fantastic. A soft cuddly puppy certainly helps with the ladies as I found out lol

It definitely doesn't look like aggression to me. She looks like she is being pretty soft for a staff, just make sure you separate them when it gets too much. As they spend more time together they should calm down and pup will learn

They are both very cute! Bane had a cockerpoo play mate at puppy class, she was gorgeous! But as Bane got bigger than her her just wanted to trample her!

Looks fine to me. Here is a link on body language that should help you recognize if it does turn into agression

http://staffy-bull-terrier.com/dog_body_language

I agree. We found that teaching them the word nicely, in everything from taking treats or toys to playing rough with me or another dog helps. I just keep repeating it as they play.
Tell your sister an aggressive dog wouldn't have shared those treats with anything!!
I love her white toes by the way!

Looks fine to me but just one thing I would say personally I wouldn't put treats down when there's two dogs around it does cause problems and squabbles. This time it didn't but I just wouldn't risk it. Also I would have stopped the pup bothering Nita for that long while she was trying to enjoy her Kong. But she looks like a little star and very tolerant bled her and the pup is mega cute!

Agree with Debs - she seems very tolerant and didn't show any real aggression towards the pup, just taught him well needed boundaries. She's lovely

shes being very tolerant with him and enjoying a good game
theyre both lovely dogs

kath

Food wise she is not aggressive at all, she happily shared food with him later on. I think the majority of it was him mouthing at her face too much that caused it.

Yeh if thats aggression we have a big problem at our local dog park