Hey everyone, I'm not sure if this is something that is common or not, but I couldn't find anything when I searched the forum. We got our husky pup about a month ago, and one of the very first things we did is teach him not to bite. On occasion, he still will get mouthy when excited, but we are working on that. We have been taking him each weekend to my in-laws' house to ensure he meets their dogs, a 3lb Maltese and a 9lb Coton de Tulear (think bigger Maltese) to ensure he is used to them as a puppy. Well, the little Maltese is way more excited to play with our pup than the CdT, but as soon as we tell our husky pup not to bite/be gentle, he essentially starts to slow-motion run into the Maltese with his shoulder and engage with him that way. Similarly, if they are playing and my husky pup catches the Maltese, they will wrestle relatively gently (as much as an uncoordinated, growing pup that doesn't understand how huge he is can be gentle), and my pup winds up sitting on the Maltese.

Has anyone heard of this sort of behavior before? Does anyone have any recommendations on how to change/guide/fix this behavior?


When it gets to be too much, the Maltese snarls like a demon gremlin and lets my pup know it's enough, but then they get right back to it. The little guy's snarling/growling (He's vocal too) freaks the CdT out, who is already leery of our pup because he was chasing her and knocked her into a cabinet, and causes her to snarl and get stressed out. The CdT is slowly coming around (we can visit maybe once or twice a weekend), but it's definitely a work in progress.

Huskies definitely have a unique play style. Ours loves to hip and shoulder check other dogs, though I've never had him sit on a smaller dog.

It's good that you are trying to teach play manners with little dogs early. Just watch for signs of discomfort on the smaller dogs and see if your pup is 'getting the message'.

I'm glad it's not just our guy, then.

We definitely watch to be sure he's being careful, especially because he's almost 20lbs now and outweighing the other two pretty significantly. Whenever one of the other two dogs, usually the Maltese, gets frustrated and starts growling/chasing our pup off, he'll either run off or stand still and turn his face away from them. Not sure if that's to prevent being bitten, or what, but he does stop whatever he's doing at the time.

It sounds to me like they are communicating perfectly well together and that there is no need for an intervention. Huskies are extremely rough and very physical and they throw body checks all the time. Soon enough the whiplash butt checks will start. It is very normal.

As long as the maltese is keeping up and keeps expressing boundaries while continuing to engage then you are witnessing the dog version of informed consent and it is fine.

Good job too on the mouthing inhibition lessons. That will be one of the most difficult ongoing life lessons you'll teach your Husky.

Link's nickname in puppy kindergarten was Too Bad because that's what the trainer would call him while removing him from play and teaching him limitations

Luci kind of plows over Carley (12 week lab) at a dead run to get her to give chase. I guess that's similar? Once in a while she'll let Carley almost catch up just to tease her. Once teeth come out, play time is over. Strange enough, oddly mellow, gentle Carley is usually the culprit.