Puppy doesn’t like big dogs

Discussion in 'Labrador Puppies' started by JosiePie, Dec 18, 2020.

  1. JosiePie

    JosiePie Registered Users

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    Hi!

    Our lovely lad is 20 weeks old and is an absolute dream. Sleeps through the night, no accidents in 10 weeks+ (touch wood!) and relatively easy to train (although we do use a dog trainer who is brilliant).

    He has play days with other puppies, with his trainer, and he is supervised.

    One thing is a bit odd: he doesn’t like rough play with other dogs (GSD or Golden Retriever). If they engage in rough play, he will play with them for a little time, but then leaves. His trainer says that he displays submissive behaviour (rolls on his back). He was not the biggest puppy in his litter but also was not the smallest (and when we observed him with his brothers and sisters, he was lively and rough playing with them).

    He prefers to play with smaller dogs and is really gentle (he likes frenchies and pugs). He’s a brave lad in general (happy walking on and off lead and will happily meet big dogs with mum and dad present).

    Has anyone else come across this? Is it a problem?
     
  2. KAdams

    KAdams Registered Users

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    Don't know why it would be a problem as long as he's not cowering or showing other very fearful behaviour around bigger dogs, or unless you really, really want him to be around bigger dogs. Just like people, dogs prefer different friends. As long as his general manners are alright, no reason why this should be a problem.
     
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  3. Ski-Patroller

    Ski-Patroller Cooper, Terminally Cute

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    Do you mean pups close to his own age and size or full grown dogs?
     
  4. JosiePie

    JosiePie Registered Users

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    Thank you for your replies!

    I mean pups close to his age and size (ish). The GSD is a week older and the Golden is 3 months older. They do play quite rough (they have scratches etc)!

    His frenchie friends are 2 years old and 16 weeks old (he is 20 weeks). They are much more chilled out. He also likes adult dogs (he met a gorgeous flat coated retriever at the weekend and was desperate to give him face licks!).

    am I being an overprotective mum?
     
  5. marta5

    marta5 Registered Users

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    I have the same issue haha, good luck bro
     

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