Pup playing -too rough?- with Pitt Bull pup?

[Epilogue]

Hi, i've been taking my 9 week old pup for walks around the block everyday. Its kind of hit or miss with the walks but thats another thread...
Yesterday we were walking down the street (and unfortunately our city is infested with Pit Bulls) and we came up to a house with a little pup sitting out front with a little girl. She and her mom had a 3 month old "Red Nosed?" pit pup. For being a Pit this is a gorgeous dog. Anyhow, in keeping with his socialization I permitted him to play with her. Im worried about the potential for him getting sick from her but I supposed thats the fine line we walk on the subject. They seemed to absolutely LOVE each other! They, for lack of a better term, frolicked for about a half hour. They were playing rough I supposed but they both seemed to really enjoy it. I walked back past again today and the mom was outside having a smoke and brought the pup back out and again they played for about a half hour til they were both pooped. My question/concern is that should I allow them to play like that? Is that too rough and potentially telling him that this behavior is OK? or would that fall under the "pups will be pups"? Do you guys think that its just normal puppy play, which i assume it is, or is it sometime to be concerned of? They were doing the puppy growls and biting feet, ears, neck scruff and so forth. We broke em up when they started biting a shaking and when they cried out. They seemed to "get it" and went back to the normal frolicking for a bit....wash , rinse, repeat...whats the general consensus on this subject? Any thoughts and comments would help.

[mueltrain]

Well normal puppy play often seems very rough to us but it completly normal and fun for the pups. On the other hand its not a far stretch to imagine it getting out of hand, just keep an eye on them and make sure they arent really biting down on each other, it should be fairly obvious if one pup whines when he gets bit then they are playing too rough. Im always a little worried when mine is playing rough but just keep an eye on it and they should be fine.

[ehayes21]

Originally Posted by Epilogue

Hi, i've been taking my 9 week old pup for walks around the block everyday. Its kind of hit or miss with the walks but thats another thread...
Yesterday we were walking down the street (and unfortunately our city is infested with Pit Bulls) and we came up to a house with a little pup sitting out front with a little girl. She and her mom had a 3 month old "Red Nosed?" pit pup. For being a Pit this is a gorgeous dog. Anyhow, in keeping with his socialization I permitted him to play with her. Im worried about the potential for him getting sick from her but I supposed thats the fine line we walk on the subject. They seemed to absolutely LOVE each other! They, for lack of a better term, frolicked for about a half hour. They were playing rough I supposed but they both seemed to really enjoy it. I walked back past again today and the mom was outside having a smoke and brought the pup back out and again they played for about a half hour til they were both pooped. My question/concern is that should I allow them to play like that? Is that too rough and potentially telling him that this behavior is OK? or would that fall under the "pups will be pups"? Do you guys think that its just normal puppy play, which i assume it is, or is it sometime to be concerned of? They were doing the puppy growls and biting feet, ears, neck scruff and so forth. We broke em up when they started biting a shaking and when they cried out. They seemed to "get it" and went back to the normal frolicking for a bit....wash , rinse, repeat...whats the general consensus on this subject? Any thoughts and comments would help.

Sounds like pretty normal puppy play. As long as the other pup is up to date on it's shots, I would say let them have at it. Boxers are notoriously loud and boisterious pups and pittie pups are equally as wonderful.

[Cami]

and unfortunately our city is infested with Pit Bulls

Hopefully this encounter with a wonderful breed will help to change your mind about Pits.
Sounds like typical puppy play. Calm them down when they start to get a little over the top. They will learn from your direction and each other.

[LILYLARUE]

I happen to own one of each, both females, and both adults. They play pretty rough sometimes. Most times it sounds like they are killing each other. But there have been times that the sounds got a little more aggressive and I had to step in. But, it sounds like your two are playing typical play. The pit will get loud and probably a horribly scarey growl, but thats just the breed. The usually don't make noise any other time except play, so I think they are just outta practice. LOL The boxer with get extremely growly and make some helacious noises too. But all in all, they are just playing freely like their breeds do.

Now, it's not to say you should ever leave them alone and unattended when they are together. One thing about bully breeds is that neither will back down when they cross a certain threshold of tolerance. They do have the capabilities to get outta hand really quick. Especially females. And it usually begins quietly. Some can absolutely go their entire lives without a scuffle, but with pits, you just never know when they will snap. They show very little signs of attack. You have to really know your dog's behavior to avoid any conflicts that go too far.

I would think if you have a neighbor who is willing to allow your "bully" puppy to play with hers, then you got a good thing going! Let them play! They will play like no other breeds and absolutely enjoy every minute of it. Just keep in mind that both breeds (not all the dogs though) need the direction, limitations and possible intervention of their play until they know their boundries and can be trusted. Though I am one to never trust them completely, or any dog for that matter, as well trained as they may be. They are still wild animals with minds of their own and boxer's and pits seem to use it whenever they feel like it. Never know what's going on in their heads! LOL

[Epilogue]

Originally Posted by Cami

Hopefully this encounter with a wonderful breed will help to change your mind about Pits.
Sounds like typical puppy play. Calm them down when they start to get a little over the top. They will learn from your direction and each other.

To be honest its not the dogs that are the problem around here. The issue is that I live in, how do I say it...a not so great part of town and the people who own them are usually kids who "like em tough". They wear the big steel chains with a padlock around their necks and pull these kids down the street. The long and short of it is that these Pit owners around here are taking pride in the aggressiveness of their dogs and not taking the time to invest in the care needed to ensure a balanced dog. Dog fighting is unfortunately a big problem here and the bad press has made me sort of on edge around them. I know that they have the capabilities of being a wonderful companion. Its just the owners who cant handle their dogs that have me stressin a little...THanks all for the input...

[Caney Creek]

Originally Posted by Epilogue

To be honest its not the dogs that are the problem around here. The issue is that I live in, how do I say it...a not so great part of town and the people who own them are usually kids who "like em tough". They wear the big steel chains with a padlock around their necks and pull these kids down the street. The long and short of it is that these Pit owners around here are taking pride in the aggressiveness of their dogs and not taking the time to invest in the care needed to ensure a balanced dog. Dog fighting is unfortunately a big problem here and the bad press has made me sort of on edge around them. I know that they have the capabilities of being a wonderful companion. Its just the owners who cant handle their dogs that have me stressin a little...THanks all for the input...

If you come across an owner that "rubs you the wrong way" or seems to encourage aggressive behavior that you're not comfortable with, simply remove your pup from the situation. Make up an excuse to leave. If your puppy is playing with another pup but yours doesn't seem to be having fun anymore, and the other pup won't back off, get your puppy outta there. Usually when one yelps, play will cease for a moment and then they'll go back to playing, though maybe not quite as rough as they were before. But sometimes the rowdier pup doesn't get the message and doesn't give the other a break. This has happened to Caney plenty of times. She's just too nice! She will be cut up and bleeding before she decides she's had enough, but then all she does is try to run away -- no yelps, no aggression, no standing still and ignoring (all of which would be much more effective in getting her point across). So of course, the other pup chases her (NOT the same as a play chase, the eyes and body language say it all) until I come and break it up.

As long as your puppy seems to be having fun (and the other dog's owners seem like nice enough people) I'd let them play. It might not sound very pleasant, but just watch your pup's body language to make sure he's still enjoying himself. If he's not, break it up.