Pictures of Jaeger and Izzy Playing

Before we brought Jaeger home, I had pictured Izzy and Jaeger playing together – romping around the house, playing chase, and batting each other with paws (that’s how Izzy plays). I couldn’t wait to post cute pictures and videos of them playing to accompany funny blogs about them.

But alas, reality has not measured up to what I pictured.

Izzy – so excited to have a brother – won’t leave Jaeger alone – she especially loves to latch onto one of his ears and use it as a chew toy. Initially, Jaeger just took it. But now he “fights back” and asserts himself. They roll around the ground biting each other and trying to get on top of one another to show the other one that he or she is the boss. Inevitably, one of them, well, actually only Izzy, will yelp out in pain.

While their interaction seems to be all in good puppy fun and play, I hate it. All I see is another dog dominating my baby, Izzy. All I hear are little yelps of pain from Izzy.

What I know is Izzy keeps going back for more and Izzy is instigating this interaction most of the time. I also know that she cries when I separate them. Notwithtanding what I know, I keep seeing Izzy being “attacked” and I simply cannot stand it. It makes me sick. I am sure the recent Pit Bull attack makes me even more sensitive to her being hurt by another dog.

Of course, my husband tells me that this interaction is normal. And, I, of course, have sought additional opinions.

I talked to the vet about it and the vet said to let it be and let them work it out. She said if I try to intervene, it will increase the anxiety between the dogs.

But then I talked to my mom about it and she said I should not tolerate such rough play because the dogs will “learn” that it is acceptable behavior, when it is not acceptable at all.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that they get used to one another, stop playing rough, and start living happily ever after as brother and sister.