Older Dog and New Puppy..Rough Play??

Hi there,

I have a 10 week old male Boerboel puppy who is really great. I also have a 2 year old female English Bulldog. I have concerns that when they play, it is too rough. My Bulldog has an rough-housing style of play, and I don't want her "teaching" him to be rough. Actually, it's not so much the rough part, as I think some dogs do play rougher than others...i.e. when I pull my bulldog off of the new puppy for a timeout...she sits when I say so and just waits for me to say something. He, on the other-hand, is wound up and is struggling and having a little fit as I hold him back. I then put him into a sit and make him hold it a bit, and then let them resume.

I really don't want him to get out of hand with playing and have set up puppy play dates of Fridays and Sundays. But on a daily basis, he is playing with her...is this to his detriment?? Should I not let them play until he is more mature?

Thank you!!

Awwweee.. You have a bulldog too. I have a 1.5 year old male english bully. Please post pics!!

from what I have seen, my bulldog is a rough player if a dog initiates it, but otherwise he is docile. THey have strong jaws and are bred not to let go, so you should be a little carefull when they play, as your bulldog probably won't know when she is being too rough.

Other people here might have more info though.

Here is my little guy:

I think you should monitor thier play very carefully. If it gets too rough for the little one he will eventually become aggressive out of fear. I have a big and little dog and I time out all the time telling them to settle. I encourage the big one to lay down for most of thier play and the little one usually follows suit.

I think that you should let them play, but keep a very close eye on their play times. Puppies need play in order to learn the proper dog behavior and to learn their manners. Older dogs are great in teaching puppies their manners.

Let them play under your supervision. If things get out of hand you should stop the play period immediately.

From my experience, either the puppy or the adult usually will tell the other one that they have had enough. But I also know that this is not always the case, and one of them can end up getting hurt.

Young puppies can get carried away. I would supervise their play and make sure that it is all good and noone is going to get hurt. Also, if you think things are getting too rough for either one, I would stop it immediately and give them a time out for a little while.