I need some advice and guidance - Page 1

My German Shepherd puppy is about 4 months old and has been wonderful in just about every respect. He is well socialized and responds well to strangers as well as children and also with other dogs.

The problem we are having is that when he interacts with my daughter's GSD - a 2 year old female - he pesters her non-stop biting her neck, sticking his entire head into her mouth and more or less bugs her endlessly. My daughter and her husband live close by and he is somewhat less of a "pest" at their house than when she brings her dog to our house. Her GSD who is the sweetest and most gentle dog imaginable, does not take any "corrective" action when she is pestered. At most, she moves away - until the puppy follows her and resumes the pestering. My son-in-law says that they will work it out themselves and that his dog will "deal" with it if it becomes too much of a hassle.

I will add that none of this pestering is done in anger by my puppy - and perhaps we are more sensitive to it than we should be just seeing the hassling that occurs.

My questions for you: is this "normal" behaviour by a puppy? Is this a phase which will end in due course? Should we take any corrective action to stop this? If so, what is the best way of dealing with it?

I agree with your son-in-law. Sounds like this is normal puppy behavior and when the Adult dog gets tried of it she will put the puppy in his place. 

maximusmax,

I have an 11 month old female and a 6 month old female and the youngster does exactly the same thing to the older one.  Apache, the older, doesn't seem to have a problem.  They have played like this since the day I brought the younger one home with nary an issue.  Now, as they've gotten older, Apache, the older one is the one instigating things most days. 

I believe they will work out the hierarchy themselves with probably a few squabbles as they get to the testy 1 year old stage and with a little guidance and supervision so nobody every gets out of control, they should be fine.  Good luck. 

They will work it out.  Puppies like to bite.  That is how they play.  When your puppy shoves its head into the older dogs mouth, it is taking on a submissive position.  The pup probably lays on it's side right in front of the older female.  The puppy knows better than you and I when that older female has had enough.  Maybe that is why on her turf, he is less aggressive and "playful". 

I find it fastenating to watch how they work things out. My Mothers rottie comes over and she is one pushy Bitch. She pushes my feamle GSD around like crazy, My GSD just leaves and hides, She tries to push my male rottie, he puts her in her place but quick, he will not play with her, but he plays with the GSD.  She tries so hard to engage him into some play time. You can tell he does not want my Moms dog to know his back and hips hurt. If my male thinks Moms has gone to far with the gsd he will shove her away from her. I love the way the male handles everything, so calm and fair. He does not allow any Bs in the house, and if one of the other dogs jumps up on you, he blocks the jump then herds them off. My GSD is taking less from her these days, she avoids her, but no more leaving if she does not want to.

Thanks to everyone for your comments and guidance.

I am relieved to hear that this is by no means a unique situation.

ok, my two year old still pesters the 5 1/2 year old.  hangs on the poor guys neck till he cries. 

he "tries" to assert himself, but then she suckers up to him. ie:  next thing i know, she's got the toy or bone that he had in the first place!  that she proceeded to steal from him acting all cute and sweet!