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I have 2 dogs. Tanner – American Bulldog mix, 4 months old tomorrow. Timber – German Shepherd (possibly mixed with Husky), 4.5 months old.
When we introduced them everything was fine. The only time Timber has growled was when he was eating and Tanner tried to eat out of Timber’s food bowl. This only happened once and now they always eat and drink out of each others food and water dishes with no problem.
Timber is very mellow and is content lying around with his toys or being by my side as he never likes to be alone (If you leave the room for a minute he is very vocal). Tanner is more hyper. He always pounces on Timber and bites him softly on the neck and barks at him. He only seems to be trying to play with him though and its pretty much always Tanner initiating the play. Eventually Timber starts in and they start to play with one another, so it seems. I think Timber is more of the alpha since he seems to always dominate Tanner. After awhile its Tanner that starts to get more forceful with Timber and the “playing” seems to get really rough. I’ve heard growling only a couple of times and it only seems to come from Tanner. Usually my husband or I will direct their attention elsewhere and keep them occupied or we just tell him to basically play nice and knock it off.
When they are outside they have to be by each others side, exploring everything. If me or my husband is playing with Timber or giving affection to him, Tanner tries to move Timber out of the way or bites his ears and neck. If we are playing with Tanner or he is laying next to us Timber comes to lay and play as well but doesn’t bite or pay much attention to Tanner.
Is it normal for them to play this rough? Should I let them do it or break it up?
When we introduced them everything was fine. The only time Timber has growled was when he was eating and Tanner tried to eat out of Timber’s food bowl. This only happened once and now they always eat and drink out of each others food and water dishes with no problem.
Timber is very mellow and is content lying around with his toys or being by my side as he never likes to be alone (If you leave the room for a minute he is very vocal). Tanner is more hyper. He always pounces on Timber and bites him softly on the neck and barks at him. He only seems to be trying to play with him though and its pretty much always Tanner initiating the play. Eventually Timber starts in and they start to play with one another, so it seems. I think Timber is more of the alpha since he seems to always dominate Tanner. After awhile its Tanner that starts to get more forceful with Timber and the “playing” seems to get really rough. I’ve heard growling only a couple of times and it only seems to come from Tanner. Usually my husband or I will direct their attention elsewhere and keep them occupied or we just tell him to basically play nice and knock it off.
When they are outside they have to be by each others side, exploring everything. If me or my husband is playing with Timber or giving affection to him, Tanner tries to move Timber out of the way or bites his ears and neck. If we are playing with Tanner or he is laying next to us Timber comes to lay and play as well but doesn’t bite or pay much attention to Tanner.
Is it normal for them to play this rough? Should I let them do it or break it up?
