Gus Wants to Play

Sometimes Gus wants to play with the big kids and does not take their hints that they aren't interested. This morning Gus  wanted Chima to play with him so bad. He stood over the top of her as she napped, occasionally gently nudging her snout with his foot trying to get her to bite at his leg. He had been trying to get this method to work for a couple minutes and Chima valiantly ignored him. While I don't want my dogs to have to put up with constant pushing, I also want puppies to learn what "no" looks like from another dog and what happens when they don't listen. Natural consequences are the best teachers in life and as long as the other dog isn't getting hurt or overly harassed and I know the dog won't hurt the puppy I will let the situation play out as long as I am carefully supervising.

I know Chima and she will put up with a lot from puppies and I also know that she she does that long slow "look away" like she does in this video, she is giving the puppy their last chance to take a hint before she snarks at them. I tried to back Gus gracefully out of the situation but he moved back for more and learned a good lesson - when a dog tells you "no" you need to respect the "no". 

Gus said "point taken" and moved away to play and roll around by himself. Then later he decided that it would be good enough to just play next to the big girls, even if they refused to wrestle with him. Good boy, Gus! 

Playing with one of his chews while the girls nap in the sun

Last night the girls actually let him lie on the couch with him which is a sure sign that he has been learning how he needs to behave when hanging out with them.

Chima actually let him lie on the couch right next to her

And of course sidekick Sal wasn't too far away. This is her "could we put the camera away?" look