hard play

Question
We've always kept one Aussie but as our present girl is getting old we got a pup because the thought of loosing her is unacceptable. The transition went well. The pup is growing, doing and learning. Our only problem is the pups play is too rough for the old dog when outside. I am afraid although she is just playing she will break the older dogs hip. They are way to fast for me to reach them in time for discipline and I don't have time to walk them separately. Any suggestions? Inside there is no issue. The pup just seems over excited to be outside "playing." Things start out well but deteriorate. I have tried ending play time early but she isn't making the connection.

Answer
Without seeing them play, I can't assume that your pup is too rough, although she very well may be.  The fact is that dogs, in general, often play more roughly than humans think is appropriate.  If the older dog is going back to the younger one, chances are she's enjoying it.  If not, and she's constantly trying to get away or hide (or she's displaying stress or displacement signals) then you need to find some way to discourage the young dog from getting too rough.  If you are in obedience class (hopefully, with a positive reinforcement or clicker trainer - Aussies do so well with this), then one of the skills you can teach your young dog is "leave it".  The other is "come".  (Try getting Leslie Nelson's DVD, "Really Reliable Recall".  Works for my dogs and my students' dogs!  You will then have a "shut off switch" that you can use from afar to get the dog to return to you instead of continuing to obsess on the older dog.  Another tactic is to engage the young dog in another activity, such as frisbee or fetch, for a while before the two dogs interact.  That tires the young one out somewhat.  Or, you can even use the game to redirect the pup away from the older dog.  You didn't mention why you thought the older one was in danger of breaking a hip.  If she's dysplastic or has some other medical issue, then you may want to separate the two when they are outside.  The young dog can play with other dogs at class, or perhaps a couple of days of doggy day care.  If it makes you feel any better, however, my two year old Aussie has perked my older dogs up, and even plays with my 18 year old Yorkie (that's a bit unusual, but they both seem to be enjoying themselves).  If the pup is bullying the older dog by body slamming, or pushing her over, that isn't ok.  But, it is normal for dogs, especially herders, to do a lot of parallel running and some jostling or even wrestling.