Good morning :wavey:,
We are having escalating issues with Amber (4 1/2 mo. GR) and Piper (2 yr. old Papillon). Amber and Piper are having major issues with possession of toys, couches, balls, etc. Occasionally, they will play for a minute, then the issues of snarkiness, teeth showing and yiping occur. The scenario goes like this: Piper is playing with a toy (big basket of toys available to both dogs), Amber runs over to take Piper's toy away, Piper yips and runs under table. Or Amber lays down on floor in the "let's play" stance. Piper comes over and wags tail to play, they play for a few seconds, then Amber bulldozes Piper, Piper yips, tail down runs away. Another, Piper and I are laying on the couch, Amber walks over to see what it going on, Piper is very possessive, starts yipping, escalates with Amber and Piper both showing teeth.
So, we have numerous avenues to help them play together, including separate playtime, redirecting, putting most toys away, and having a consultation with a respected dog trainer in our home so that she could observe. She understands the situation and that Amber's behavior is normal for a puppy her age. The dog trainer said that we need to catch Piper's dominant posture before anything happens and redirect, tell her to quit and redirect Amber at the same time. Needless to say, we have been following her directions to a 'T' and are exhausted. Piper is visibly upset at having her body nudged and her toys taken and chewed up. We are exhausted with trying to assist both.
Any suggestions with transitioning an established small dog with a 'puppy-stupid" wonderful GR pup would be much appreciated! Photo of Piper attached.
We are having escalating issues with Amber (4 1/2 mo. GR) and Piper (2 yr. old Papillon). Amber and Piper are having major issues with possession of toys, couches, balls, etc. Occasionally, they will play for a minute, then the issues of snarkiness, teeth showing and yiping occur. The scenario goes like this: Piper is playing with a toy (big basket of toys available to both dogs), Amber runs over to take Piper's toy away, Piper yips and runs under table. Or Amber lays down on floor in the "let's play" stance. Piper comes over and wags tail to play, they play for a few seconds, then Amber bulldozes Piper, Piper yips, tail down runs away. Another, Piper and I are laying on the couch, Amber walks over to see what it going on, Piper is very possessive, starts yipping, escalates with Amber and Piper both showing teeth.
So, we have numerous avenues to help them play together, including separate playtime, redirecting, putting most toys away, and having a consultation with a respected dog trainer in our home so that she could observe. She understands the situation and that Amber's behavior is normal for a puppy her age. The dog trainer said that we need to catch Piper's dominant posture before anything happens and redirect, tell her to quit and redirect Amber at the same time. Needless to say, we have been following her directions to a 'T' and are exhausted. Piper is visibly upset at having her body nudged and her toys taken and chewed up. We are exhausted with trying to assist both.
Any suggestions with transitioning an established small dog with a 'puppy-stupid" wonderful GR pup would be much appreciated! Photo of Piper attached.