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Appropriate Puppy Play

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Puppy Playtime

Be Your Puppy’s Voice

Puppy Play
Appropriate play is happening. This is a snapshot of mouth wrestling. 🙂

It’s important for puppies to play with other puppies. However, it’s vital to make sure puppy play is safe while your puppy has fun in addition to your puppy learning proper doggie behavior. After learning appropriate puppy play tips, check out how to interrupt puppy play.

What Good Puppy Play Looks Like

Many pet parents ask, “What does bad puppy play behavior look like?” However, let’s first discuss what good behavior looks like. You can’t spot bad behavior until you understand and can spot good puppy play.

Puppies play in dyads, or pairs. When another puppy approaches, the third puppy is usually left out. If your puppy is the third puppy out, dog trainers who are supervising puppy play will usually rotate puppies out so everyone gets a turn.

VIDEO: Appropriate Puppy Play

Supervised Puppy Playtime

Please, if you follow just one thing from this article this would be it. Attend Puppy Playtime session with a professional dog trainer. Dog behavior is hard to interrupt and pro dog trainers are fluent in this language. Please refrain from bringing your puppy to dog parks, especially with unknown dogs, as this can be a recipe for disaster.

Taking Turns

When puppies play, they take turns chasing each other being the puppy on top of the pile and so forth. It’s like watching a dance, but each puppy takes a turn at leading the session.

If one puppy becomes too rough, the other puppy will stop playing and freeze. This is a signal saying, “Um, dude, this is not funny anymore and I’m uncomfortable.” The other puppy should stop playing, interrupt and understand freeze behavior and adjust his play style to keep the session going. Sometimes, you’ll notice the other puppy jumping, dancing, play bowing and even rolling over on his back to entice the unsure puppy back into the play session.

Growling Happens

Growling, during puppy play, can send pet parents into fits. Some puppies are more vocal than others. My sister is pretty quiet; I’m not! Growling won’t erupt until later during a play session. Some puppies learn that vocalizing is fun when playing with a different puppy. They begin growling and it concerns the new puppy so they stop growling.

RELATED: My Dog Growls at Me

Mouth Wrestling

This usually means his mouth is wide open, teeth are showing sprinkled in with a bit of growling. Mouth wrestling sessions are usually short, and both puppies are sitting or lying down next to each other.

You Should See Soft Curves

When puppies are playing, you should see soft curves and roundness, usually around their rumps and shoulder areas. Even when running and chasing, you’ll see curves. If you notice straight lines, stop puppy play. This means someone is not happy any longer.

Stop Bad Puppy Behavior Immediately

Unfortunately, I see a lot of bad puppy play at dog parks and it breaks my heart. Also, I’ve watched good puppy play turn badly quickly. What happens during puppyhood stays with a puppy forever.

RELATED: Puppy Training

Is Your Dog a Bully?

Bullying is a part of society. As much as we ban it, it still emerges. This behavior is learned. A puppy or person chooses this path to survive because it works. I add people as examples because I see this everyday. Someone posturing to get ahead or stop specific behaviors. Best thing to do with a bully is to walk away and ignore him. The same applies to puppies. Don’t allow a bully to practice his behavior. The more he practices, the better he gets.

Bullying behavior looks like:

  • Pinning other puppies (or dogs) and holding them on the ground.
  • Overwhelming, rough and persistent play. They’re harassing other dogs who are trying to ignore them.
  • Constantly nagging other dogs to play with them usually includes nips, muzzle punches or body slams.
  • Ignores body freezes from other dogs and continues to jump or bite. (Nip other puppies to continue playing.)

Pinning

Bully puppies will run at full blast right up to other puppies and pin them to the ground. They’ll hold them down and growl while their body language is stiff and straight. Even if the held down puppy screams, they continue to pin and growl in their face. If the frightened puppy gets away, the bully runs after him and pins again. This will go on until a person intervenes or the scared puppy displays defensive aggression. If you can’t get away, you fight.

RELATED: Defensive Dog Aggression

Scary Chasing

Bully puppies, and dogs, will seek one specific puppy and chase this poor thing until they can pin him down or attack. You can spot scary chasing, as the scared puppy looks like he is running for his life with his tail tucked, ears laid back and eyes wide. He is terrified. The bully’s body language is straight and stiff, and relentlessly picks on the scared puppy.

Be your puppy’s voice!

READ ALSO: Dog Time Out

Complete New Puppy Checklist

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Bringing Home a New Puppy

Bringing Home a New Puppy
I want all this stuff! Woof!

You’ve reached the ultimate puppy or older dog checklist! Here, you’ll find tons of information all rolled up on one page.

How to Use the Checklist

Before bringing your new puppy or older dog home, it’s important to shop for essential items and brush up on skills. Below is a complete new puppy checklist, which I recommend printing for reference. Click on the links within the list to explore brand names, pros and cons of products, dog trainer-approved products and product instructions.

Complete New Puppy Checklist

New Puppy Links

Once shopping is complete, it’s time to brush up on new puppy training skills. Don’t worry, we have you covered! Each link redirects you to tips and tricks on preventing, cleaning or using recommended products. Feel free to print these articles for further reference.

Enroll in a Dog Training Class

Yes, it was mentioned earlier, but it’s worth repeating you should enroll in a dog training class within 1 to 2 weeks. You’re beginning to build an extremely strong bond, which is invaluable. Plus, you have an expert available for any questions!

You may also like: Multiple Dog Household Tips

Surviving the First Night With Your Puppy

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Your Puppy’s First Night Home

First Night With Your Puppy
Ah, you can survive your puppy’s first night home!

Take a deep breath. I have super simple tips for you, which really work!

Many dog enthusiasts provide “hard and fast” rules, which create frustrated pet parents. Following too many rules, especially during your puppy’s first night home, is like filling a 5-lb sack with 10 lbs of sugar. It’s too much and it causes confusion for both puppies and pet parents.

Dive into these mistake-proof tips, which make the first night home with your puppy a seamless experience while still teaching good manners. I promise the dog training gods will not pull your toes during the night if you allow your puppy to sleep in your bed, especially during the first night. (Wink!)

Shake off all that stress. Your goal is to make your puppy’s first night at home happy!

Prepare Before Your Puppy Arrives

Take the extra time and prepare. This will make it much easier when bringing your new puppy home.

Set up a crate in your bedroom

Place the crate right next to your side of the bed. Instead of a shiny new bed, add old cozy towels and blankets in your puppy’s crate. Save the new bed for later like when your puppy is 6-months-old or so or you’ll be purchasing lots of new and shiny beds until the teething process halts. It’s probably a good time to review (and print if needed) potty training tips too.

RELATED: Crate Training

Invest in a sound machine

Or, better yet, download classical music. Music and sound will prevent your puppy from becoming frightened around strange sounds while soothing her to sleep. Plus, turning on music becomes a cue to sleep, which is a blessing.

Prepare for a few sleepless nights

Plan on it. You’ll probably get little sleep so pick up your puppy on a Friday so you have plenty of time to catch up on sleep during the weekend.

If your puppy whines during the night, bring her outside to potty. Bring her back inside and put her back in her crate with a food stuffed toy. This will give her something else to do instead of whine and she’ll likely drift off to sleep. I’m not too concerned about whining meaning going outside right now. This is a tough time for puppies and you so keep it simple. There’s plenty of potty training time to come!

Tired Puppies Sleep Woohoo!

Once your puppy is home, she’s probably pretty tired already. Just in case, spend 30 minutes playing with her, introducing her to new family members and showing the array of her new toys. Provide free access to water until an hour before bedtime. Plus, this is usually a good time to feed her too. Bring her potty immediately after eating and drinking and again before bedtime.

You can do this. Don’t stress. Have fun — you have a new puppy! There’s plenty of time for training. 🙂

READ ALSO: Complete New Puppy Checklist

Why Do Dogs Hump?

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Humping Dogs: It’s Not What You Think!

Why Do Dogs Hump
It’s just play behavior. Nothing more. 🙂

Oi! If you want to see puppy pet parents run, it’s when their puppy humps or is being humped during puppy playtime. Dogs humping is not what you think. It’s meaningless behavior, I promise!

It’s not a status thing and it has nothing to do with dominance, as most people assume. That stuff is outdated information. We do know both males and females participate in this behavior and spaying or neutering does not decrease a dog’s likelihood for humping.  

Puppies

Most puppies hump when playing. It just happens. They practice different play techniques. Each technique is designed to elicit play behavior, such as pawing at a puppy’s face, play bowing and then the dreaded humping. Humping usually begins during an intense play session when puppies are overly excited and tired. Geez, humping is usually contagious. Once a puppy starts humping, bingo! Everyone decides to try it out.

Dogs

Adolescent and adult dogs hump because, well, they never read the pet parent’s manual, in which folks find it disturbing. Plus, their playmates were totally fine with it. As long as fun play continues, who cares what you’re doing, right? If another dog finds humping irritating, he will surely inform the humper and the behavior stops.

Stress

For some dogs, humping may be due to stress just like excessive grooming or whining. I’ve noticed an increase in humping when new guests appear, such as a new baby or dog. It’s usually preempted by a disruption in a dog’s life. Note humping for what it is. In this case, it’s stress so redirect his stress with additional walks, mental stimulation and alone time with you.

RELATED: Multiple Dog Household Tips

Managing Your Humper

If humping annoys and embarrasses you, redirect your dog to do something else. When he starts humping an object, such as a pillow or toy, interrupt the behavior with a quick game of “touch.” If stress is causing the behavior, then redirecting his attention will help reduce anxiety.

You can use the “touch” game to redirect your dog away from another dog, cat or person. Use extra yummy treats and reward often. This keeps him engaged with you and he’ll soon forget about humping.

Want More Information?

Humping is meaningless behavior. Think of it as little girls braiding each other’s hair or boys arm wrestling– it’s just a game. However, if you seek additional information, check out H*umping by Julie Hecht. All your humping questions and concerns will be answered. 🙂

You may also like: Anxious Dog Tips

Puppy Teething

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Ease Your Puppy’s Gums During Teething

Puppy Teething
duben/Deposit Photos

Does your puppy resemble a cranky teething toddler? Poor puppy. It’s so painful losing teeth. Try these home puppy teething remedies to ease aching gums during the teething process.

Puppy Teeth

Deciduous teeth, commonly referred to as primary teeth, begin erupting around three weeks of age. Puppies begin losing these sharp little things around four months of age. Usually, the incisors (top and bottom front teeth) loosen and fall first. Then, between four to five months, premolars fall out followed by canines around six to seven months old.

The kicker, aside from primary teeth falling out, is erupting adult teeth. Ouch! Usually, puppies are in much pain during this time and display common puppy teething signs, especially when their large back molars (top and bottom) and canines begin to surface.

Oh, I can spot painful teething puppies from a mile away even during puppy class! Their normally happy selves are spitting out training treats, being cranky and fussy (fiddling around a lot), and are just not focused during class. I feel for these babies. I remember when my wisdom teeth erupted — yaooza!

RELATED: Small Dog Dental Care Tips

How to Survive Puppy Teething

Puppy Teething Symptoms

Teething, depending on your dog’s breed, usually starts and ends between four to seven months. You’ll likely notice:

  • Skipping, or eating a portion of meals, every once in a while.
  • Restlessness.
  • Decrease in chewing toys (some puppies begin chewing like termites, it depends).
  • Lack of focus.
  • Sudden increase in reactivity, such as barking or suddenly being scared of objects. Could it be a fear period, maybe?
  • Inflamed gums (hot to touch and red along primary tooth line).
  • Metallic aroma (blood present, which is totally normal).
  • Teeth are missing.
  • Your puppy swallowing his baby teeth, which is perfectly normal. And you may find a premolar or canine stuck in your carpet. 🙂

RELATED: Puppy Biting

Teething Remedies

When I see puppies hurting, I want to fix them. It breaks my heart! Try a few of these home remedies. They work well and will reduce inflammation. If your puppy misses more than one meal, becomes lethargic or seems off, contact your veterinarian immediately.

How to Ease Pain and Inflammation

  • Offer canned food, or soften food by soaking it in warm water for 30 minutes, for easier chewing.
  • Offer a frozen Chilly Bone toy several times a day. These canvas-based toys can be soaked in water or low sodium broth and put in the freezer. As we all know, ice packs relieve pain and reduce inflammation. When you notice restlessness, it’s probably a good time to offer a frozen Chilly Bone.

Give Your Puppy a Break

  • Understand your puppy is not feeling well and probably needs additional quiet time. You may notice he’s sleeping a bit more too.
  • Take breaks during dog training sessions. Puppies are often distracted due to pain.
  • If your puppy becomes reactive toward other dogs or strangers, click and treat when he looks at the scary thing. By pairing something yummy with a scary thing, things look less scary. Usually, once the teething process is complete, this reactivity will decrease.
  • Refrain from any mouth work, such as mouth handling, teeth brushing, dumbbell work or tug toys.

What Does Not Work

Let’s chat about what not to give or use too. Never give your puppy ice, as it can cause slab fractures of the teeth. I learned this the hard way! Also, it’s not safe to use teething products made for human babies. Many contain additives that are harmful to dogs.

You may notice a few retained baby teeth. This is not a big deal. Your vet can remove them during spay or neuter surgery. Retaining puppy teeth is pretty common with small breed dogs. They have the same amount of teeth as big dogs, but much less space.

Take a deep breath and support your puppy through the teething process. It only happens once; thank goodness!

You may also like: Complete New Puppy Checklist

Dog Training Nation is a dog training blog for pet owners and dog lovers. We cover a range of topics from puppy socialization tips to dog aggression to dog health. It is our hope you share our content to make the world a better place for dogs.

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