Ben H

Hi all.

I've got two eleven week old red and white bassets who are stunning. They are both males from the same litter and have had them just over a week now. I just worry when they fight. I've been told that it's totally normal and they need to establish which is the dominant male. I try and leave them to it but occasionally have to intervene when ear biting is followed by yelping and they just seem to get to rough. Once they calm down they get along great and sleep!! Just wondered if any of you have experience of this and how long it is likely to last? Have tried shouting at them to "STOP" but they carry on as though I'm not there.

thanks

Ben

Soundtrack

They aren't fighting, they are playing. That is how puppies play.

Unless one is actually injuring the other, let them at it.

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SophieB

Soundtrack is right, that's just playing... see first video clip below!!!!

Like you, I had two puppies (sisters) together from the same litter just over two years ago and they are just an absolute joy.

What you will probably find, if yours are like mine... that they are ABSOLUTELY INSEPARABLE and do not like being apart... they do everything together and if one is sleeping during the day, then the other is too and if one gets up, so does the other. If one goes out into the garden, then the other one follows... maybe it's a girlie thing and your boys may not be the same, but please hang around to let me know of their progress as having two together is just the best thing we've done and being so alike, they always get fussed over when we're out walking as they are clearly twins!!!!

I'll look for a couple of video clips of my two, who, because we got them at the end of June 2008, spent many hours running around the garden in the warm weather for much of their days through the summer, with resting together in between their playfullness, to recharge their batteries. I knew I couldn't walk them until they were older but with their playing and running around, they got plenty of exercise and could rest as they felt like it.... and they are two very happy girls.

Lots of clips here at different ages!
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Lucie+and+Lottie+Basset+Hound s&aq=f


My two just played for ages like these clips below! Here's my two at ten weeks of age having a rough and tumble and they still play like this now... something that single pups miss out on!



Here they are a week younger than your two in the first couple of clips... they have masses of toys, yet liked sharing a piece of dowel:






From being around 6 months of age, Lottie (slightly shorter than Lucie) started sitting up for treats and does it anywhere and everywhere as she loves the attention her endless sitting up gets from people who see her doing it!!! SHe can balance for absolutely ages if she wants to and always sits for her supper of a few biscuits!!

Cassidy

Thanks for sharing those, Sophie- totally cute!

Mikey T

play has nothing to do with establishing dominance but is rehersal and learning dog social skill.

Puppy license and adult behavior–STOP SEPARATING PLAY.

bubbad

I would have both neutered so that as they age playing doesn't turn into fighting,you will probably still have squabbles but should be managable.

smitte21

Yeah I would definately have them neutered at abotu 6 months to a year before they get hormonal. Boys can get very mean and nasty when left intact together. I know of only a few breeders who are able to keep more than one intact male in their home at the same time safely.

Sophie those videos are just too darn cute and your girls a just too sweet. Much tamer than my Roxie when she plays with my inlaws rescue girl... Roxie is a sassy and rough playmate and is very vocal... at times it sounds as though they are killing each other with all the vocals although it isn't much more than what your girls are doing and rolling around.

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Nitrosmom

Sophie, I love your video of sitting up Lottie! I am trying to get Nitro to sit up, but he has entirely too much fun jumping for his treats!

SophieB

Lottie did it without any encouragement but I have noticed that if I (or anyone else) stand quite close to her, facing her head, she instantly hops up on her rear.

I guess you may be able to temp Nitro to sit up, if you sit on a chair (or at the foot of the stairs) and getting him to put his paws on your lap and then hold up a treat for him, to see if he'll just move slightly away from you and after a few attempts, he may well sit up like Lottie, who needs no encouragement and even does it on dog walks if a fellow dog walker looks like they have treats in their pockets (she is also a pickpocket of the highest order and noses in everyone's pockets for treats or tissues to chew up)!!!

sadeyes2

The videos of Lottie and Lucy were wonderful. They are a couple of beauties. Really enjoyed that!