Puppy Play

I must preface this question with a bit of background on the situation. We have spent the last fourteen months carefully researching breeders, bloodlines, and the what not for just the right JRT to join our family. During this time of research, me made several efforts to help ensure that our now two year old terrier, Niles, would be ready to accept a new dog into the family. Our decision on the new puppy's temperament and sex was determined by Niles own preferences and guided by our desire to work and show them.

Last Friday, Kendrik, a twelve week old lightly broken male, arrived in San Francisco, CA from accross the country. He is everything we had hoped and aspired for. We chose his breeder and lines because of their excellent temperament, renowned for their "Hale, fellow, well met!" personality as well as their keen hunting and performance abilities combined with consistent excellence in genetic and physical conformation. He is truly what Niles would ask for in a sibling in the fact that he is male and laid back (Niles prefers males to females despite the apparent breed propensity for same sex aggression), active and playful.

We prepared Niles by taking him to a daycare which specializes in intact males and females meant for both the show ring and work. Over the last year or so he has been exposed to intact males of many breeds as well as other JRTs. He eats from the same dish, plays with the same toys, and shares the same space. In addition to this, we have taken every opportunity to invite these males over to stay with us for a few days. Niles has taken up several performance activities such as flyball and agility. He is going further in his obedience training to the advanced level. And of course, he is as spoiled as ever, coming everywhere with us, playing with us, working with us. In preparation for Kendrik's arrival we laid out his equipment, made separate play areas with separate but like toys, and the what not.

When first Niles and Kendrik met is was a scene out of daycare, a text book proper introduction of on lead dogs on neutral territory where Niles showed his well trained "casual interest" and Kendrik, true to his breeding and rearing, gave a puppy grin and asked to play. We released the two and they were off, Niles going about his business as if the pup didn't exist, and Kendrik following him as if he were the greatest thing. Niles firmly held the idea that if he held out long enough this pup's mommy and daddy would take him home. Imagine his suprise when Kendrik hopped into the crate beside his in the car.

The first five days have gone well: Neither Niles nor Kendrik are food aggressive and while they eat in separate locations, can take treats well together. Niles has even begun to play with Kendrik a bit. We're careful to feed Niles first, let him out first, pet him first which seems to have quelled some jealousy. Niles lets Kendrik know when he's had enough with a low growl followed by his retreat to his crate for a nap. Kendrik then goes about his business. If the dogs cannot be supervised by either the daycare staff or ourselves, they are put in their crates-spending an average of 30 to 60 minutes in their crates a day.

All in all it doesn't sound like we have a problem. But we've noticed a couple things last night that are a cause for concern:

-Wrestling: Niles and Kendrik have taken wrestling. It starts out with play bows and happy tail wagging. Niles will allow himself to be pinned then pin Kendrik in return. Niles does however place his mouth on the back of Kendrik's neck and twice we've caught him mouthing Kendrik's throat. Because we're supervising, we can call Niles off and both boys run to us tails wagging. We understand that wrestling is one way for the two to establish their roles in our family pack, but we're concerned that it has the potential to get out of hand. What is your opinion?

-Toy Theft: We have these utterly blissful moments where both dogs are happily chewing on their kongs or chew flips in the same room. Then Niles will look over, see Kendrik, get up an without a sound steal his toy and walk off. He then puts it down by his and goes back to business. When Kendrik comes back he stares at him, waits for him to pick it up, then steals it back. Game, establishing his place, or aggression?

-Tug of War: While cute, we worry about tug of war games between the dogs. We know that tug of war can increase confidence in shy dogs but may cause more aggression in dominant dogs. We limit our tug of war play to light fun and as a reward for a good flyball run-the rest of the time the toys are put away. Kendrik, however, is just learning to love his tug toy. He and Niles have been playing games of tug of war for the last two days without much noise and no aggressiveness. Can this potentiall be a problem between them?

Both dogs are spoiled mercilessly and we are working to establish a firm family relationship between the four of us in preparation for many years we will spend together. We have a team of trainers, vets, and of course our breeders to help guide us, but we have always found the input from this forum to be a great help to ourselves and other JRT folks!