Stealing?

[Bernardlover]

If Decker (the puppy) has a toy Mack(the older one) will come and steal it. So Decker goes and gets a new toy, and Mack steals that too. I dont care if they share toys its just that when Mack has something in his mouth he shakes his head and Im scared Decker iwll get his puppy teeth hooked and Mack may snap his neck (Mack and Decker are both saints btw) How can I teach Mack that if he picks a toy he keeps that one, not goes after other ones just cause the puppy has it



I swear this is lie having a toddler and a baby!!

 

[Psyfalcon]

Its not something I would be really worried about personally, but I'm sure someone will be along to help you out of its still a concern.

I've never experienced teeth being stuck to the point where they could not come out in a situation like that, claws, yes, but not teeth.

 

[Bernardlover]

Thanks. Okay that puts my mind at ease. Now if Mack would just stop being such a jerk and stealing all the toys. Its gotten to the point where Mack will have a huge pile of toys beside him and the puppy has none.

 

[showpug]

I for the most part would let them do their thing. Don't try to interfere too much. It sounds like normal play behavior to me. As long as there is no aggression going on which it sounds like there isn't then I would let them establish their own order of things...

 

[DemitriousK]

I would guess that this is a dominance play. My Buddy boy did the same thing when we brought Banzai home (wouldn't even let Banzai walk in a straight line) I would intervene if it gets nasty, but i think its best to let them come to their own equilibrium if you can. They'll be happier family members if they can work it out together now. It'll get old and they'll work it out and you'll be able to forget about the phase where Mack was being the "alpha jerk." You should, however, be supervising their interactions (and time when they can interact) especially closely until you're sure they're buddy-buddy. The key here, for you, is to passively control the situation, don't overreact, stay cool and detached, and carry out any slight corrections in their interactions with disinterest, like washing the dishes. but reward them when they show each other their good sides.

 

[Bernardlover]

thanks everyone!!

Yeah there is no agression. It seems like Mack takes the toy then taunts Decker with it to see if Decker will come play...But Decker is much to small to keep up to Mack...Just wait a month lol. Mack is being like a greedy older brother....toys that he hasnt played with in 6 months that Decker finds suddenly seem awesome to play with again haha!!


If this doesn't prepare me for children, I dont know what will!!

 

[DanL]

Mack is like Gunnar- he plays the "he who has the most toys, wins" game. Daisy will have a toy, Gunnar takes it, and just lays on it so she can't have it. I've seen him with a half dozen toys, and she'll be standing there barking at him. He doesn't even play with them, he hoards them.

He is pretty good about sharing though. He'll take a ball over to her and drop it at her feet so when she picks it up, he can take it back again! We can tell him "give Daisy the toy" and he'll take it over to her and let her have it.