When Do I Intervene?

[gilliwigs]

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Muffin & Jonah are spending a lot of their waking time play fighting each other. Muffin is very big & rough and although I don't think he would deliberately hurt Jonah I'm afraid he will end up doing him some damage. On the other hand Jonah keeps going back for more and antagonising Muffin so he can't be too worried by it! :- " But Jonah is very assertive and Muffin is not :unsure: and I'm a bit concerned that he is getting the upper hand over Muffin. He also sounds really fierce with his growling. :devil: I'm not used to all this fighting as when we got Muffin, Josh was older and not very well and he didn't have the stamina to play for too long. I'm assuming it's normal puppy behaviour but wondered if anyone had any tips to make Muffin feel a bit less threatened. :huggles:

These videos show you what they get up to only it usually gets worse than this - this is definitely play and at least both tails are wagging! All the growling and barking is coming from Jonah - he's very loud for such a small boy! :lol:

 

[~Sally~]

when ours were little they used 2 fight alot the adults r normally ok with puppies

 

[Trish]

looks like muffin is enjoying the little jonahs antics,he is waggling that tail lots.

mine use to play like that and if muffin didnt like it at any time he would tell jonah off with a growl or a sharp bark just to warn him that eenough is enough.

 

[hellybobs]

Inca and Dippy played like that from the first day we brought Dippy home.

There is always alot of noise and charging about, we just let them get on with it until they wear themselves out.

 

[jools]

Fern and Sky sound like they are killing each other - not very ladylike at all. But they are the best of friends and curl up together when they are exhausted!!

Don't worry :thumbsup:

 

[Rae]

I cant open the videos as my broadband is hopeless at the minute I want to see Jonah and Muffin playing 8)

I wouldnt worry about Jonah becomming boss over Muffin - he may prefer it that way. Star is below Lucas in our pack but they are both happy with that. Muffin is probably being gentle with Jonah as he's so small, but I bet he'll still tell him off when he's had enough. Muffin is obviously a very gentle and lovely natured whippie.

 

[oakmoorehill]

My lot have been letting the little hairball Zoe rule the roost but the other day she was outside with Bandit when suddenly Bandit was heard to be snarling and snapping at her

OH ran out to find Zoe cowering up the corner he panicked but when I looked there was not a mark on her he'd just warned her to behave and now she treats Bandit with some respect .Just wish the others would do the same to her and she might just settle a bit more :devil:

I wouldnt worry when he's a little bigger Muffin will more than likely put him in his place .My lot let Zoe get away with it when she was small but now she is nearly as big as them they're starting to boss her about

 

[Seraphina]

Looks like a perfectly normal Whippet game

 

[kaz]

Hiya Gilliwigs,

havent been on for a while so Ive just seen Jonah now and he is so adorable :wub:

I dont know if you remember me saying when we met at Chatsworth but this behaviour was exactly the same when we brought Finlay home, I was really worried as they didnt seem to get on and they fought a lot. Finlay is nearly 5 months old now and much much bigger than Hutchy was at his age.

However they are getting a lot more used to each other and Hutchy is more tolerant of Finlay now.

Its taken nearly 2 months to get this far and they still have digs at each other but they are friends now, I think

It will take time but they will get there

Have lots of fun with them :thumbsup:

 

[gilliwigs]

Hiya Gilliwigs,
havent been on for  a while so Ive just seen Jonah now and he is so adorable :wub:

I dont know if you remember me saying when we met at Chatsworth but this behaviour was exactly the same when we brought Finlay home, I was really worried as they didnt seem to get on and they fought a lot. Finlay is nearly 5 months old now and much much bigger than Hutchy was at his age.

However they are getting a lot more used to each other and Hutchy is more tolerant of Finlay now.

Its taken nearly 2 months to get this far and they still have digs at each other but they are friends now, I think 

It will take time but they will get there

Have lots of fun with them  :thumbsup:

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

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Hi Kaz

Yes, Now you've mentioned it I do remember you saying that. I don't think I'm too worried about the fighting. Muffin hasn't once sunk his teeth into Jonah - he just leans on him and looks as though he's about to squash him!! (w00t) But poor old Muffin is really depressed at the moment - he's completely lost his sparkle and now seems more like an old man than a nearly 2 year old whippet. It hasn't put him off his food though! :- " I think once Jonah is bigger he will see how much fun it is to have another whippet to run around with and then I'm sure things will improve. He just needs lots of loving at the moment. :huggles:

Yes, Jonah is very sweet - I love the way he bounces around like Tigger. He never seems to walk anywhere. He is also very cuddly and nestles into your neck. Really sweet. :wub:

 

[imperative]

Our lot are the same! The whippets Stirling and Kai are always play fighting and seem really wicked to each other! Wont even say where the bite each other :- " Then Scarlett joins in and boy does she like a ruck! Enjoy

 

[Whippets Rule]

fabulous videos.....thats just perfectly normal whippet play.

muffins tail is waggy which is good and it's also held high slightly over his back which is fine too because he's saying yep we're playing a lovely game but i'm still the boss.

Pup is showing lots of bravado but when he goes a bit far he rolls and shows his belly to muffin as if to say ok you're the boss,but i can still menace ya a bit.

really lovely to watch...pups are hilarious with all the posturing snapping and barkyness. (w00t) :lol: personally i don't think you have anything to worry about....Muffin will tell jonah off at some stage and pup will probably shriek like he's being killed...but this is normal and Muffin has to be able to put little one in his place.

So unless Muffin bullies and picks on Jonah,leave 'em to it because Muffin must be allowed to give discipline when he needs to. Later on when Jonah is a little older they will find their place within the family pack and possibly Jonah may end up being the boss.Provided you support the natural hierachy that they settle between themselves later on,you will have no problems.

Just as a footnote ...if you think that Muffin has had enough play...quietly pick up the pup and put him away in his crate or wherever so Muffin gets a little peace...but do it with as little fuss as possible so it isn't an issue for them.

 

[Rae]

Yey I've managed to watch the videos now

Agree with all Whippets Rule said. If I were you I'd be more worried about your lamp :lol: