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john13 · Jul 28, 2010, 04:24 PM

We got a new lab puppy 3 days ago. I'm trying to start the good behaviors and dominant pack leader stuff right away. Whenever my dad plays with the puppy he throws him around on the floor and pretty much wrestles and rough houses with him and the puppy mouths at his hand and my dad just says "no" but keeps playing. I don't like it so I try to tell him that he can't roughhouse like that but he doesn't believe that it can be bad. So is it OK for him to roughhouse?

Aurora_Bell · Jul 28, 2010, 04:34 PM

Biting is most common in young puppies and new dogs
Especially in play and while teething. It's up to you to teach your puppy or dog what is acceptable and what is not.

Roughhouse games structured in specific ways can help working dogs develop the drives to do their jobs. Just like humans, dogs form habits based on their experiences. Also like humans, dogs can learn to love certain games, and find the opportunity to play those games highly rewarding. The trainer can then use the game as a reward for work well done.

Our experiences shape what we believe about the world. The same is true of dogs. A dog who has from puppyhood been treated gently by humans believes that humans are gentle. A dog who has been "roughed up" and encouraged to respond roughly will believe this is how humans behave and what they expect from dogs. Certain human movements will then trigger rough responses from this dog.

The problem, of course, is that not everyone who interacts with our dogs is a skilled dog trainer, or a person with good self-control. The movements that come naturally to you when interacting roughly with your dog will not come naturally to the visitor who doesn't know your dog as well as you do. Many people just don't know when enough is enough, and will push the game until someone gets hurt. The dog gets the blame, because the dog's teeth are much stronger than the person's skin. But whose fault is it, really? Could it be that teaching the family dog to play roughly with humans was the real mistake?

Is it fair to teach a dog to play roughly with humans, and then punish the dog for doing so at the wrong time? Is it fair to expect a dog to understand when it's okay to be rough and when it's not? These are questions for grown-up humans to answer.

Dogs are intelligent, but they have no way of understanding certain human priorities. What does a rip in your shirt or blanket mean to a dog? How would a dog comprehend what money is, or how much something is worth?

john13 · Jul 28, 2010, 04:44 PM

That is exactly my point. If he keeps roughhousing every night, he's going to think that he can do it with everybody, and it'll confuse him if somebody scolds him for being too rough

Aurora_Bell · Jul 28, 2010, 04:53 PM

Exactly. You already knew the answer! :)

We love pics!

john13 · Jul 28, 2010, 05:01 PM

Haha I've got to figure out how to work this thing. But once a do, I'll definatley put some up!
Might take a while, it's my first day

Aurora_Bell · Jul 28, 2010, 05:13 PM

Well, welcome to AMHD!

To post a pic, click on the "Go Advanced" button, click on the little paper clip image, and another screen will pop up, similar to the "simple up loader" on Facebook. Upload the pics and Voilà!

Emily94 · Jul 29, 2010, 09:54 PM

Welcome to AMHD John!

First off, if your dad won't stop roughing up the pup make sure you are gentle and kind with it, and so is everyone else. This MAY teach the dog that not everyone is like that and he is not allowed to play rough with everyone. My dad was always rough with his dog and it got to the point he couldn't walk past her without getting his shirt/pants/what ever she grabbed ripped, but of anyone else walked by her she'd roll over for a belly rub. My dad was the only one to play rough with her, she learnt it was okay to bite and nip at him but no one else (everyone else disciplined her, he figured it was a "puppy" thing and she'd grow out of it... Well 18 years later she still thought it was okay to bite him)