New dog playing too rough with resident dog?

We just introduced a dog to our home where we alredy have one dog. They are getting along, kinda, and I know it will take time. They do want to play together, but they engage in really rough play, biting, standing on hind legs while biting, wrestling. One of the dogs frequently lays on her back and exposes her belly which makes me think she must be accepting her position as the submissive dog. However, the dogs play for about 10 minutes and then get too wound up and end up starting to get truly aggressive and we break them up before a full-fledged fight breaks out. Is this rough play (up until they get too aroused) a good thing? Will it help them acclimate to each other and establish their relationship? Or are we just encouraging them to fight if we allow this type of play?

Anonymous2008-02-27T10:39:57Z

Favorite Answer

Well that is how dogs play but if it gets to rough scold your dogs until they learn what they can't do.

Yogi and Me2008-02-27T10:40:45Z

you got a bully dog...my mom's dog used to do that to my dog when she go and visit...she doesn't know how to play so she would climb on top of my dog, shove her under the belly to flip her over...chase her...push her into the wall with her body...etc...you are the alpha dog so it's up to you to break up too rough of a play..I do it when my 2 girls get too carry away. It can turn into a real fight...I tell them to play nice...or I interrupt their play and sort of give them a time out...I make them sit and stay until they mellow out...I also praise them when they play nice...(I'll tell them play nice...when they do, I praise them) Hope that helps