Need some advice for two pugs

[mishoga]

I am new to owning the pug breed. I have a male that is 7.5 month and a female that is 5.5. The male was here for about 1.5 months before the girl came in. My male is very rough and sometimes aggressive with playing with her. At first I was breaking them up but the vet told me to leave them alone and that they needed to find their own place within the family/pack structure. For the most part they play alright together but sometimes the boy gets so rough she comes running for protection. She screams when he hurts her and then goes angrily after him. Two times I had to break them apart because it looked like is was escalating. The growls were not play growls.

I'm scared if I leave them alone one of them, probably her, will get hurt. He wants to play all the time. She does sometimes but her personality is soft. She doesn't bite when playing. She would rather cuddle or play with toys.

He takes everything away from her no matter what it is. I don't show more affection or attention to either one.

Any advice???
Thank you

[shaynapug]

They are both young!!! Younger dogs play harder! People are amazed at how Storm and her dad play...now I've added Callie to the mix...and really do have to watch as she's so small!

I don't leave mine together when I go away. Your pups are still really young and probably should be caged separately when you cannot watch them!

Ben is still caged when I go away.......he's 2 1/2 yrs old...and nutty! I'm afraid he'll jump the gate or play too hard with his daughter, Stormy! Stormy just graduated to the kitchen gated in....with Ben in the crate and her crate beside him with the door open. There's a bed for her in the crate and in the kitchen.

Callie is in a 3x3 puppy pen as she's not house broken...and during the day I go away and she hears stuff outside. I'm not upset when she potties in there right now (just got her last weekend) When she's better, she'll graduate to Stormy's old crate! She does sleep by my bed at night....and when she's housebroken and bigger....she'll join us in bed!

[mishoga]

So I shouldn't be too worried? I spend most of their awake time with them and keeping them super busy with walks, stroller walks, play time. etc..... they are very regimented.

I am juts so worried about the little girl getting hurt. My vet said it again today, to leave them alone. But then today when I was at the pet store with them, this woman was telling me I have to worry about their eyes. I swear, I'm a nervous wreck with them.

They do however sleep on top of each other already (when not crated) and kiss each other like crazy. My boy actually starts kissing her when I say loudly "enough" when they play too rough

[mishoga]

Love your website. Do you actively breed?

[Lu Ci and Ri Ki]

Eye injuries are definitely a concern with Pugs. I wouldn't go away and leave them alone together. Baby gates are great to use to keep them apart. As they get older and calm down some it will be safer to leave them together.

[mishoga]

Thank you so much for your insight and experience. Thank you.

[shaynapug]

I breed sometimes!

Not that often! Will be breeding again probably next year, but one of my girls is being bred shortly. I co own her and she lives in Ohio.

I am active in showing......

[CountryPug]

I had a similar problem when I added a second pug. Toby wasn't mean, but he wanted to play too rough with Bella and she did not like it. I don't believe in letting them work it out.....I would correct him when he got too rough.....penny can, time out or whatever it took. Have them practice sit, stay ect and reward with treats....It's a good distraction from the rough play and will challenge their minds. He could hurt her so he needs to learn some boundaries and she deserves her space. Good luck:)

[Hellas]

I completely disagree with letting them work it out in this case. He is much bigger and he's being too rough. It's your job to protect her. I don't allow my dogs to bully or hurt each other. I would step in if I were you.

[mishoga]

Thanks. My husband didn't agree either. She always goes in his lap for protection.