Is my 8 month old lab "playing" or "fighting"?

Question

In March, my sister and I "adopted" litter mates born 12/25/07. Alone, they are GREAT dogs. When they get together, they play HARD. ... at least I **hope** they're playing...

In between their ~5-10 min "naps" (which don't happen nearly enough), they grab the toy the other has, chase each other around the yard, and "attack" (?) each other with teeth bared. Occasionally, one will yelp, they'll stop for a breather, and then continue. All the while their tales are wagging.

I spoke with our vet (they go to the same vet) about it, and she assured me that, since she hasn't had to sew either of them up yet, that they're just playing.

Our hope is that if we get them together often, they won't get so excited to see each other. (Did I mention that they're soon-to-be 8 month old BLACK LABS?)

Their aggression/play will temporarily stop if I pull them apart or squirt them with water.. But I'm getting tired of having to move my patio furniture out of the way for fear of them breaking my glass table tops.

Will they outgrow this behavior? Or do I need Cesar Milan?

P.S. We had his-and-hers-spaying/neutering in June thinking that that would calm them down... NOT!

Answer 1

They are playing.  My 6 year old Kelpie and 5 month old Mal play like that (the Mal is now the same size as the Kelpie).  When the Kelpie bites too hard the Mal yelps and the Kelpie backs off for a minute.  The Mal loves bringing toys up into the Kelpie's face to get him to chase him.  Also their other favourite game is to lay on the floor and gnash each other with their teeth - they both open their mouths as wide as they can and just gnash teeth to teeth.  It looks so much worse that it is.

Answer 2

They are playing for sure! My rottie mix and Lab mix play like that!

Answer 3

They're buddies, the get excited to see each other and are just rough housing, they will eventually grow out of it but keep in mind they're puppies. My Boxer has a 2 year old chocolate lab buddy and the two of them go nuts when they see each other, they are both male so they wrestle for a dominant position. Just keep an eye on them if they are not hurting each other, it's just them wrestling and having fun. Let them play and wear each other out.

Answer 4

Occasionally, it could be a fight.  Mostly though....they're playing.  I'm dog sitting right now for a 40lb cocker spaniel and a 10lb taco terrier.  The little one is CONSTANTLY biting the bigger one's hind legs while  I play tug of war with him.  She goes after his ears and jumps on his back.  all the while teeth are barred.  It is the funniest thing.  Have fun with them.  You'll know when it is too rough and to make them stop.

Answer 5

I assure you they are just playing around and once they aren't puppies anymore they should grow out of it!

Answer 6

all dogs play hard. just keep an eye out if like one is to over powering

Answer 7

Yes they should grow out of that behavior, they are just playing around. Also, black labs are very hyper.

Answer 8

yeah there playing i have a 11 month old chocolate lab and he does the same thing to my older dogs. if they were fighting they would have they re teeth showing like a wolf, tail in between ones legs, hair sticking up, or one surrendering by laying on its back(but they sometimes do this when they play to) they will most likely outgrow this but you should take them to a dog park eventually they will meet a dog that will teach them a lesson and put them in their place so they know that they cant poke every dogs buttons

Answer 9

They are just playing.  They are at about the same stage as a 5 year old boy.  Imagine a couple of boys that age, in their superman pajamas with towels for capes, running through the house.  That's where your puppies are right now, except they don't need the capes.  They will grow out of it, somewhat.  They ARE labs after all, and so they're both knuckleheads.  Most labs I've seen act if they have only about 3 working brain cells, and those 3 don't talk to each other.  But they're great dogs, and I'd love to have one.  Enjoy yours!

PS:  Be careful with whatever you put out on coffee tables, etc in your house.  When your two are grown, the dogs tails will be perfect for sweeping things off tables at that height.

Answer 10

They will grow out of it but you have to remember they're only puppies. And labradors dont mature til they're about 3 years old so you can expect this behaviour for a long time to come.

I think it sounds like there having a great time, not totally sure why you'd wont them to stop having fun. Taking them for a really long walk before brining them together in the same house will tire them out so they'll have little energy to play so roughly.

Enjoy your dogs as each day comes.

Answer 11

They're just playing.  Even though it might look/sound fierce, they know when to stop and how hard to play.  Like you said, they'll stop if one yelps and they take breathers.  It's just all part of growing up for puppies.  Also watch their body language, does one tend to run away, pull back, or do the hairs on back stand up?  If they're mutually participating in the rumbling, it's fine.

My dogs play pretty rough too, teeth baring, growling and such.  But they know when to stop.  

Answer 12

my two 1 year old goldens play this way.  They are always tackling each other and wrestling.  They're pretty rough.  I would look for signs such as an escalation of vocal noises or if one dog is constantly on top of the other (instead of taking turns).  It's actually a very good thing to allow them to run and play and get their energy out.  You may need to watch with toys, but otherwise, I'd let them play until they are completely exhausted.