Balancing Attention for Four Dogs

Cesar,

I have two Labs who are two years old and two Saint Bernards, who are 6-and-a-half months old. Both sets are littermates. I’m guessing you won’t be surprised to hear me say that the Saint Bernards are already bigger in size than my Labs…and running at about 80 lb. Because the Saints are getting too big in size, my Labs are afraid to play with them, because they freak out with their heavy paws.

So I have to step in and tell the Saints to leave whomever they are trying to play with alone. This has pushed me to create boundaries of play between the Saints and the Labs because of my fear that they will fight when the Saints get older and bigger.

But I am not creating a negative boundary line between them as I often kiss and rub the stomach of one of my Labs and Saints at the same time. I don’t favor either side over the other and make sure they see that. With that said, my plan is to supervise ALL the time, and when I am not around, I separate them, putting the puppies in crates. The Labs were crated until they were one year old and now spend time in the dog-run when I am not home. I am building a separate dog-run for the Saints. I found that when raising littermates, crating them helps keep things in order, not giving them unsupervised time when I am not around.

Anyway, my goal with them is to respect each other’s boundaries, am I doing the right thing?

Thank you for your advice.

Melissa
El Paso, TX

Dear Melissa,

It is hard for me to respond without seeing all behaviors close-up, but, based on what you’ve told me, I would advise you never to put a dog with another dog that will overpower it. I would recommend always tiring out the Saint Bernards before allowing them to interact with the Labradors. Another idea is to let the dogs swim together. Since Labradors are great swimmers, that will make the Saint Bernards less powerful…and the Labs will feel better about themselves.

The bottom line is, make sure that the larger dogs do not have the same level of energy as the smaller ones. That way, you’ll help the Labradors to see the big guys as lower energy dogs. When it comes to energy, as they say, “size doesn’t matter.”

Stay calm and assertive,

Cesar Millan

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Tue, 06/08/2010 - 11:12pm — nancr

setting bounderies for 2 puppies

I have two 4 - 4 1/2 month old puppies which we got at 8 and 10 weeks. A Bullmastiff female and a Cairn Terrier male. For the first few weeks I kept them separated but after 3 weeks I gradually let them have more play time together. I crate them separately when I cannot supervise and at night. The problem is put simply they don't play the same. The Cairn is growly and snappy when he plays with her or with toys and the Bully wants to drop and pin him and she does make him squeal. Lots of nipping and wrestling. I'm not sure how much of this play and how much is dangerous. They do this romp thing where they chase and both try to get the same toy. This seems like play. But then there are times when the Cairn seems to be baiting the Bully to 'play' or chase him by nipping her legs. And there are times when the Bully is 'stalking' the Cairn when he is playing alone or chewing on a bone. She also tries to corner him. The Cairn is submissive to her when they first meet in the morning and generally gives up toys or chews to her. I feed them in separate areas of the kitchen and don't let one bother the other once one is done. But, they can also nap together or lay together and chew on opposite ends of a bully stick for an extended period. And they cooperate at digging or checking something out.

When they romp I try to let them play. If it gets out of control I command 'enough' and step in and make them walk away. If they go back to being too rough I crate them or separate them in different rooms. Is this right? Also, I try to step in when one of them is playing calmly a toy or chew and the other tries to take it away. I defend both of them this way. I'm not sure is this is right either?

I guess I'm not sure what their puppy play together should be like and what their limits should be. I have to admit that I am concerned that they could injure each other.

Thu, 07/15/2010 - 11:01am — globalwiz

Setting boundaries

I think that type of play is completely normal, it sounds vicious but they won't hurt each other. I think the approach of separating them to their crate when they get excessive is good also. Follow your instincts they are good and you are a good pack leader. I have a 4 month old German Shepherd and a chihuahua who play the same way, my balanced minipin stops them when they get out of control or I separate them or redirect them.

Wed, 03/03/2010 - 10:48pm — worm and sugar foot

Tiny Chihuahua Big Cane Corso/Pit

I was looking for information about the same topic. Even though my Chi is only 4lbs and my Mix will grow to be about 70lbs I can still apply these tips.
Thank you Cesar