Vocal fighting, scabby cheeks, and scared squirrels .. oh my

1367 Views 5 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Stormy, Nov 2, 2006

mr c

Discussion Starter · Oct 24, 2006

Okay, first stats: 3 month old American Bulldog, 3 year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

I only let my dogs play fight in two locations, the sun porch inside or on the grass outside. I've discouraged it enough to where I have (relative) peace in the house and can enjoy an evening by the fire without it turning things into a wild WWE free for all. No problem there. But I do have a few other concerns, but they may be no big deal, just thought I'd get some insight.

The first is the pup is very vocal when he fights. It sounds like he's growling/throaty while they play (if you weren't familiar with him you'd swear he was attacking her) whereas the Staffie is completely silent (very quiet dog in general). It doesn't bother me really but I'd imagine at puppy kindergarten it will make quite a scene, should I be discouraging it somehow? Is it a sign of aggression or just how some bulldogs are?

The second thing is that when the pup bites the staff he does it hard enough to make her cheeks get scabby. I've been trying to get after him (holding his muzzle, looking him in the eye and saying "no bite" in a stern voice) and he's being SORT OF good about it but he's still biting and holding occasionally. The staff could care less and appears immune to any pain, if she is having pain she doesn't show it. My major concern isn't the scabs but when he gets older those little scabs could become flesh wounds. I'm hoping he'll grow out it.

Thirdly, my staffie loves chasing squirrels (I gave up trying to teach her otherwise, she absolutely enjoys the hunt) and while she's doing it the American Bulldog pup will chase her and be constantly nipping at her cheeks while she does her best to ignore him, intent on her hunting. Kind of annoying because they're running around and I don't really know how to get him to stop. Sometimes yelling "NO!" will shake him enough to stop, sometimes not. I don't want this behavior to get engrained. I bet an electric collar would work wonders but I don't think its at that point yet.

One problem with yelling is that my Staff sometimes thinks I'm yelling at her which I'm not. Hmmm....

-- mr c

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mom to many

· #2 · Oct 24, 2006

Hmmmm....no help with the squirrel thing...all wildlife avoids my backyard (where the dogs go)...they must've heard about Rocket (my AB) catching a bird mid-flight and 'playing' with it :shock: .

As for the vocal thing...Maggie Mae (our newest dog...she's 5.5 months old) is SO vocal and it's different sounding than my other two. In fact, Cinder and Rocket will rarely make noise unless they've accidentally been hurt during play. Maggie Mae sounds sort of like a rabid pig...or something...I don't even know ho to explain it! :lol: And she makes the sound/growling/whatever the WHOLE time they're playing/running/chasing/etc. I'm sure my neighbor's think we're hunting pigs in the backyard or something

I don't think it's aggression...she doesn't sound angry when she does it...just very excited. She makes the same sounds when she's playing with some of her toys.

Cinder was pretty rough of Rocket's jowls when we first brought her home...he did end up with some scratches and scabs, but all has healed with no permanent scarring. Now that Cinder is a little older (also 5.5 months) she doesn't go for his face quite as much. hopefully your bully will outgrow that phase as well.

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Kasco

· #3 · Oct 24, 2006

Our Pitbull, Jazzy makes the most gawd aweful noises when she plays! You would swear she had recently been possessed. Where as Chopper, our AB, makes only snorting noises when he plays. I feel it's just a metter of a dog being vocal or not.

As far as the scabs go, I feel ya! Poor Chopper, when we got our youngest dog, who's a year old now, she had his poor face looking like hamburger! He was all scabby and bleeding. He didn't seem to mind and has healed up for the most part. Puppy teeth are brutal!

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fawn coffee

· #4 · Oct 24, 2006

Kasco said:
Our Pitbull, Jazzy makes the most gawd aweful noises when she plays! You would swear she had recently been possessed. Where as Chopper, our AB, makes only snorting noises when he plays. I feel it's just a metter of a dog being vocal or not.

As far as the scabs go, I feel ya! Poor Chopper, when we got our youngest dog, who's a year old now, she had his poor face looking like hamburger! He was all scabby and bleeding. He didn't seem to mind and has healed up for the most part. Puppy teeth are brutal!

puppy teeth are the worst your little ab should grow out of it i would just keep doing what your doing

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Snoopy

· #5 · Oct 25, 2006

Got exactly the same thing happening at my place. (See middle photo on my banner)

Kona rips into diesels jowls, but he doesnt seem to mind at all.

Showed the vet his scabby cheeks, she said that Kona will grow out of it and his jowls will heal naturally.

Seems like you've got two healthy and happy dogs there.

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Stormy

· #6 · Nov 2, 2006

^ I see that action but with a goldie and a staffy.

I know my staffy will play fight with Sam but in a real fight the actions are totally different. I think once your staffy has had enough she'll give a warning snap back at your pup. Staffies are pretty tough dogs and love really rough play, head butting seems to be a favourite in our household. :lol:

Just keep an eye out for any more serious injuries, which could be a warning things are going to far.

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