Suggestions for coexistence with big brother...

lisamarie · Mar 8, 2017

So Louie is 4 months old now and really coming along well with training and behavior but he gets sooooo excited when it comes to play time with his big brother Hancock( our 9 year old Boxer). We have really only let them together when Louie has been well exercised so thinking he would be somewhat tired out...nope...this puppy has no quit! They play well but sometimes a bit rough it's really when Hancock gets tired and wants to just lay down that we have to put Louie in his xpen to calm down and actually nap. We really wanted him to get the hint from Hancock but every time he lays down Louie gets into the Frenchie Frenzy and hops around barking till Hancock gets back up to play. They have yet to wind down and lay decently together. Today we tried tethering Louie to the sofa away from Hancock's bed but when he jumps and barks Hancock goes back to play. Hopefully that all make sense and any suggestions would be really appreciated!!!! Just really want a good relationship between them and some time to relax together[emoji7]

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Honeys Owners · Mar 8, 2017

I think you should keep a watch on the two and make sure the play doesn't get out of hand and if it does be there to break it up. If you leave the house make sure at least one of them is caged. I think eventually ( within a few months ) they will find a happy coexistence

lisamarie · Mar 9, 2017

Thank you, that's pretty much what we are doing. The interaction is always monitored and upstairs is blocked off so it's safe (and we don't have to run up after them). The play hasn't escalated to a level that seems to upset either of them...I should have been more clear, it's running circles around the house and Louie is very much still play biting. Hancock's defense seems to be a flip of his nose to push Louie away, he is not vocal with bark or growling and barely shows his teeth. He will put him on his back but seems to be very aware of his size and conscious of hurting him. We have a large home and a decent sized yard so on nice days we let the boxer lay in the yard while we wear out the puppy. Also the puppy is going to work with us so many days the boxer has his space at home then they play and when Hancock starts to try to lay down we just pick the puppy up and either force him to calm down on the couch with a bone or place him in his xpen. There is no doubt that Louie is just as tired because he crashes out very shortly after being separated. At this time Louie does not have free run in the house except when he is monitored, sometimes with Hancock outside sometimes he's inside. Louie will not on his own simply stop play and lay down...he sometimes can barely keep his eyes open but (like a little kid at bedtime)just keeps going, lol!

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Alice Kable · Mar 9, 2017

Puppies, especially Frenchies, have so much energy and all they want to do is play! It sounds like you are handling it well, making sure your Boxer has puppy free time!

lisamarie · Mar 9, 2017

Thanks Alice, that makes me feel better...[emoji41]

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Jakeyjake · Mar 13, 2017

I think you are handling it great. How awesome you get to take the pup to work. He will eventually calm down. Four months is still quite young with all that puppy energy

blushy · Mar 14, 2017

My dogs are 4 and going on 3. There is no end to the madness. We had a rough start and they've yet to figure out a balance. Only time we can have them together in peace is in the bed at bedtime, which I guess is a step towards the right direction.

It can be really frustrating! Stay persistent!

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lisamarie · Mar 19, 2017

Thanks for your thoughts guys, things are going a bit better though the boys have yet to crash out at the same time. I have found that Louie gets distracted when I'm cooking and pretty much forgets its playtime, lol. We still have to separate them when the boxer has had enough and wants a nap but Louie is going longer before he annoys the crap outta Hancock [emoji122][emoji122]Thanks again for your thoughts[emoji41]

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twolitlefrenchies · May 18, 2017

Hi Guys,

I got similar topic maybe you could help me out..

I got 1 yr frenchie and we just got 7 months old frenchie pup, both male, they used to fight a litt at the beginning but now they just play and have fun.

Unfortunately, little one use his teeth even during the playtime and he leaves my older frenchie with bloody face (he is biting his cheeks), I decided to separate them so his face can heal but this problem is still going and every time my dog's face is better they play and open old wounds again.. I clean it up and put some Calmoseptine but it's really bad what's happening and I need to solve it somehow. Please help.. what could help, a muzzle? Or maybe pup will grow up and learn to play gently..

Cbrugs · May 18, 2017

I would have thought the puppy would have grown out of the biting phase by now. The puppy might be trying to be alpha. You need to make it known that you are alpha. Make sure you give a firm NO when you see him biting. Maybe give him a timeout. Are they neutered?
[MENTION=2]2bullymama[/MENTION] might have some other suggestions as well as she has two boys.

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twolitlefrenchies · May 18, 2017

Cbrugs said:
I would have thought the puppy would have grown out of the biting phase by now. The puppy might be trying to be alpha. You need to make it known that you are alpha. Make sure you give a firm NO when you see him biting. Maybe give him a timeout. Are they neutered?
[MENTION=2]2bullymama[/MENTION] might have some other suggestions as well as she has two boys.

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Thank you so much for your reply!

Both boys are not neutered and i think it might help here, I do react when I see him biting older frenchie but I can't look at them 24/7 so puppy is staying in the crate a lot now (it's also potty training because he is sill doing his business around the house time to time..)

1 y old dog was with us since very beginning and it's well behaving but new pup we just got from big family that couldn't keep him because of kids and no time.

Cbrugs · May 19, 2017

twolitlefrenchies said:
Thank you so much for your reply!

Both boys are not neutered and i think it might help here, I do react when I see him biting older frenchie but I can't look at them 24/7 so puppy is staying in the crate a lot now (it's also potty training because he is sill doing his business around the house time to time..)

1 y old dog was with us since very beginning and it's well behaving but new pup we just got from big family that couldn't keep him because of kids and no time.

Neutering might help. I have a 4 year old Frenchie and just recently brought home an English Bulldog puppy who will be 13 weeks old tomorrow. The puppy definitely annoys my older one with his biting so sometimes I have to separate them. Keep saying NO and when you cannot supervise, keep them separate. You can also try a puppy class.

2bullymama · May 19, 2017

twolitlefrenchies said:
Thank you so much for your reply!

Both boys are not neutered and i think it might help here, I do react when I see him biting older frenchie but I can't look at them 24/7 so puppy is staying in the crate a lot now (it's also potty training because he is sill doing his business around the house time to time..)

1 y old dog was with us since very beginning and it's well behaving but new pup we just got from big family that couldn't keep him because of kids and no time.

Your 7 mth old sounds like he is more rambunctious than your 1 yr old.... are you training them together or separately? a good technique is 'nothing in life is free' it is very easy and will help to establish you as the alpha and the boys will work out their pecking order knowing you 'rule' the house. I have used this with all our pups and it works well... after while one word commands are responded to one the first try. then just stay consistent