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Rough play

2K views 11 replies 6 participants last post by  Sambrad90 
#1 ·
Hi

Im looking for any sugestions that may help, we have a 10 week old rottweiler, hes doing the usual anoying puppy stuff, but does show good willingness in basic training, learning diff commands etc.

We also have a bichon frise..1.5yr old. We are struggeling to calm him or stop him attacking her, although this may just be puppy play..hes already double her size and she cannot cope with his strenght etc she previously did try to defend herself but now hes too big..she tends to try and run away. Hes climbing on her biting her every time they cross paths. We are trying the "leave" command but he doesnt seem to grasp what were asking.

Has anyone had similar experience? Or other ideas?

Maybe this is something that will die down..im unsure, but at the minute were having to keep her out of his way phisically, moving her, getting her on sofa etc. Which seems counter productive because we want them to bond not be kept apart.

Many thanks
 
#2 ·
Welcome to the forum!! You have a very normal Rottweiler puppy....that wants to play. The size difference between the pup and the Bichon makes it dangerous. You are going to have
to keep them separated most of the time to keep the Bichon safe. Keep your pup on a leash in the house, that is attached to you...so he does not get a chance to rough up the Bichon. Keep
the pup crated when you cannot watch him. Put up some baby gates, so the Bichon has some peace from the pup. You need to keep the Bichon safe. Take them out for a walk together...and allow a few minutes of play in the backyard. When the pup starts getting rough...separate them. Give the pup a chance to play with other pups, or an good tempered adult dog bigger than him.

Till the pup is mature, and learned to be gentle you will have to keep them separated. With the size difference of the Bichon and an adult male Rottweiler, you may have to be careful for the rest of their lives. They will bond...but may never be able to be loose in the house together. Keep pup leashed, and use the crate.
 
#3 ·
I thought as much. They are very interested in each other, and i can see theres no aggression in it.

Im just hoping as he gets bigger, he realises his size difference. At the minute we have a crate, so he does have time in and out all throughout the day. When hes out we are just trying to keep him accupied with toys and training. Ive seen people do have bigger and smaller dogs housed together so didnt think it would be much an issue but i think it may be more of an issue than first expected..hopefully the bichon will learn his size also and keep away a little in his most boisterous times.

Thanks for your reply
 
#4 ·
I think because the Bichon is young also...that she is not giving the pup hell when he is too rough with her. If the Bichon was older, or maybe had a more dominant temperament it would work out better?

Often smaller dogs will rule the roost with dogs triple their size. Your Bichon sounds like she is not wanting to keep him in line. They may be o.k by the time the pup is about a year old, and has some training under his belt. It probably would have been better to get the Rottweiler pup first, and then a couple of years later add a smaller breed to your home. An adult large dog, is easier to teach to be gentle.
 
#5 ·
Possibly..hopefully it will work out. She has put her foot down a few times, but hes relentless at the moment and just goes back at her after a few seconds of backing away. We are next week getting him socialising with a few other dogs, older bigger breed dogs. We will spend alot of time with him so fingers crossed!

Strange combo of dogs i know🙈
 
#6 ·
It would be good for your pup to get to play and learn from some older dogs, that are his size or bigger. Just make sure that the bigger dogs do not overwhelm or frighten him.
It's important for him to have fun, positive meetings with other dogs and to socialize. Damage can last a lifetime, if things go wrong.

It's a hard time to have a pup right now. Hard to socialize and meet other dogs and people, and no opportunity to be going to obedience classes for socializing, and learning.
 
#7 ·
I am having the same problem. We got my Rottweiler "Rose" last November. She was a puppy and a rescue/stray. She will be a year next month (as close as we can figure). She is wonderful, sweet, smart and eager to please. My mom has 3 small dogs, a mini Schnauzer (female), toy Schnauzer (female) and a Chiwawa (male). The girls do ok with her but the male tries to attack Rose at every turn. I do keep her on a leash because she outweighs them all by 50 lbs and she has the puppy exuberance. Any advice on how to get the Chiwawa, his name is Peanut, to accept her. I'm afraid he will take it to far someday and I wont be fast enough to stop her if ahe has had enough. She is my first Rottweiler I have ever owned and I just don't want anything bad to happen. Any advice out there?
 
#8 ·
It's not fair to have Peanut attacking Rose at every turn. Often small dogs are given a pass and allowed to behave in ways that would never be allowed in a bigger dog. How much training has Peanut got? What do you do to Peanut when he attacks Rose?? Do you live it at your Mom's , just visit with Rose? I would actually keep Peanut on a leash...and correct him for acting bad. If he still does not get it...crate him. You are correct to be worried. One day Rose will get fed up...and with one bite and shake...Peanut could be dead.

You are going to have to control Peanut.
 
#9 ·
Extinguish the "flames" of fighting. Using water - as much as possible - is very effective at getting the dog's attention. Splash water into the battlefield with a spray hose, bucket or even a glass of soda in your hand. This does not cause any harm, although it is only a little wet, but dogs do not like to be wet, so they will leave in most cases.
 
#10 ·
Caleb that is a great idea. I actually a spray bottle with water in it when training if she gets hyper or won't stay in the spot I put her at... ect. I will give that a try when when peanut gets agressive or when Rose gets excited and starts to play a little rough. Thank you
 
#11 ·
If both of them were the same size, then it would seem normal for everyone. That's why it would be better for you to keep both of them apart. Keep your puppy with you so that your rottweiler won't hurt your bichon. But you can allow them to play for some time. Don't keep them alone for a long time.
 
#12 ·
Hi,

How are the two dogs getting on now? We had a 3 year old king charles when we got our 2 month old rottie (now 3 and half months) and we had exactly the same problem, at first she was assertive and he would back off, but then she stopped and would just let him do whatever he wants. We separate them whenever he gets rough and sometimes we have to crate him. The only thing is the king charles actually likes a bit of rough housing and wrestling so sometimes we let them at it but just have to keep an eye on them. We had hoped our king charles would stay as the boss but she's just too submissive so hopefully as our rottie gets older and bigger he will realise he can't be too rough. Curious to hear how yours are now?
 
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