Chewing problem - with a difference

Well as some of you may know, we used to have a lot of problems with Milo chewing things, which he seems to have got out of the habt now.

Also as some of you are aware, we now have a new addition to the family, Rex (2yr old). This is where the problem lies, not with Rex chewing as you might expect but with the fact that Milo now considers Rex one big chew toy. I expected a bit of dominance stuff etc, whilst they worked out who is boss.

But Milo insists on chewing on various parts of Rex whenever he gets the chance. At first he would pull on his next or the side of his face. But now it has got to the point where Rex cant sit still for 2 mins without Milo having a leg or something in his mouth and having a Chew. Rex being the big softy that he is just sits there and lets him.
We have also had to have Rex to the vets yesterday, as what we thought was a bit of mucky matted fur on the side of his next has turned out to be an infected wound, where Milo tends to have a nibble. Now the vet says he could have scratched himself on something, or it could be that Milo has broken the skin and it has got infected. He has his anti-biotics now so hopefully will be healed shortly.

What I'm after really is a bit of help/suggestions on how we can stop Milo from chewing on him like this?

We have tried telling him No and moving him out of the way for a couple of min, which sometimes works and he sits in a sulk. But then other times he will just carry on.

One note though, as some may ask. These aren't like viscious lunges that he makes at Rex, he will just stand there and start licking him and then start to nibble and pull at his cheek etc.

What are the ages of your dogs? Normally the older one will sort things out for himself and let the pup know what is acceptable.

jstaff wrote:What are the ages of your dogs? Normally the older one will sort things out for himself and let the pup know what is acceptable.

Milo is coming up 6 months and Rex is roughly 2yrs old. Rex is that much of a softie and has never really had much socialising as my OH brother who he used to belong to never did any training or socialising what so ever with him. He is that soft that he just sits there and lets him chew away. He will even allow him to push him off his food if he gets the chance and he will go to the other dish etc.

Normally the older dog will teach the younger one what is acceptable. I wouldn't worry too much. Usually the older dogs will let the pups get away with bad behavior until a certain age and then step in and correct them.

At the beginning no dominance should if been allowed, your the boss it is not upto them to decided where they stand, it sound quite obessive if he is doing it all the time, but it also sounds like affection and wanting to play, my lot are always doing this to each other just not too much, perhaps have him on a lead, let him drag it around with him, and when ever he does it, give a little correction, Or a distraction throw a soft toy or any toy at his feet, when you see him about to do it call him over give him a treat, so he thinks theres better things than chewing his mate.
Have you had him checked by the vet to see whether his teeth and jaws are in order,
Its sounds like comfort chewing really just like a child with a pacifer or their thumb etc. So perhaps the distraction of a better chew thing would be the better option.
perhaps he's teething its going to be painful for him but when they bite down on something its instant relief.

I don't agree with above about the older dog letting the pup get away with it all until a certain age and will then correct it, thats a very dangerous situation waiting to happen, it is upto you to put the pup in his place and to make sure all dogs are happy and are not being pushed around by the others dogs.

Rex has only been with us for just over a week, but never let any of them try to dominate the other to be honest. I was just meaning that I was expecting them to try that sort of thing. I know i've gotta show them who's boss, and they both seem to know that.

Milo has just been going through teething, he seems to have all of his adult teeth through, but they could still be bothering hiim i guess. They are fine together if they both have their chews and are kept busy. So it could be that.

Just hope its a passing phase, and that he soon quits.

I'd step in to stop it getting too bad for poor Rex. A little chewing in play is normal, but it sounds like your pup is taking it a bit too far. Even if Rex never puts the pup in his place, it isn't fair on him to let the pup plague him like that.

It may take a while to get through to him, but eventually he'll realise that when you tell him to stop, he must!

Mooch12003 wrote:Milo now considers Rex one big chew toy.

Same with Maxi but I'm the chew toy -.-

Caryll wrote:I'd step in to stop it getting too bad for poor Rex. A little chewing in play is normal, but it sounds like your pup is taking it a bit too far. Even if Rex never puts the pup in his place, it isn't fair on him to let the pup plague him like that.

It may take a while to get through to him, but eventually he'll realise that when you tell him to stop, he must!

I do tell him to stop when he starts to chew and he does stop, but he is a stubborn little lad, ha. I know he will get it eventually. The other thing i have noticed him doing, is licking at Rex's face and then pulling at the edge of his wounds. I have stopped him from doing this, but this is something that rex doesnt seem to mind. I dont know if he is attempting to clean them for him or what he is doing.