Appropriate Play Between Dogs
Play between dogs isn’t always as simple as it seems!
People love seeing dogs play, myself included. Owners light up when their dog has a bestie. It’s all fun and games until things get too escalated. I hear this more often than I’d like, “My dog was playing with another dog, and things just got way too intense, and it turned into a dog fight!” or "My dog has always loved playing with other dogs, but takes it too far when they’ve had enough.” or the one that makes me cringe: “we’ve just always let the dogs figure it out - let dogs be dogs!” More times than not, a dog scuffle or too much intensity is avoidable. We want to help you know what to look for when your dog is playing with other dogs!
The main things we look for with appropriate play between dogs:
Things are very back and forth: we want to see both dogs initiate the play. Both dogs should be doing the chasing, play bows, and inviting body language. Keep the play sessions balanced and prevent one dog from constantly dominating or harassing another.
The dogs take breaks during the play: this could look like quick pauses to shake things off, a break for a little stare down, a sniff or potty break, checking in with their owner, etc.
Dogs can still mindfully respond to humans: we would expect that we can recall the dogs out of the play and interrupt any escalation we don’t want with a verbal “shh,” “hey,” “no,” etc.
Energy is balanced: we do not want dogs playing at only “turbo speed.” We want to see energy come back down between the tussles, even with the breaks in the mix. You know how people explain their dogs going from 0 to 60? That is not what we are looking for in play.
A good match: we all know not all dogs will be a good match. We will never expect all dogs to play! You will want to consider these things: size of dogs, age, breed tendencies, current play styles, etc.
Healthy dogs: make sure all dogs are healthy, thriving, and up to date on required vaccinations.
Supervision: play should always be supervised by you, the owner! Don’t be on your phone constantly, watching from inside the house or out of sight. We have expectations for our dogs, so don’t forget about your role!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: How do I know if my dog is playing or being aggressive?
A: While it can sometimes be challenging to differentiate between play and too much intensity, there are a few key signs to look for. Mindful dogs in play usually exhibit relaxed body language, including loose, soft, wagging tails, soft mouths, and bouncy movements. Again, they take turns during play, with both dogs initiating and reciprocating play behaviors. Conversely, aggression involves stiff body posture, growling, snarling, and intense, prolonged staring. If you're unsure, seek guidance from a professional dog trainer. We offer virtual owner coaching sessions you can book here!
Q: Can dogs play with toys together?
A: To ensure a safe and enjoyable playtime for your dog, my usual answer to this would be no. We avoid toys to eliminate the opportunities of resource-guarding. There are always exceptions - this is where it is key for you to know your dog and the dog yours is interacting with. Some successfully play tug all the time with no issues, but if you would rather be on the safe side, skip the toys!
Q: My dog plays rough - should I allow this?
A: It depends on the dog they are playing with. We know some dogs play completely fine together with some mouthing & vocalizations; however, the guidelines above should still be followed. Remember that rough play can cause injuries to dogs and people, so boundaries are crucial. They should always play rough because they will find fewer dogs that they match well with & that can lead to challenges with potential scuffles.
Remember, every dog is unique, and their play preferences may vary. Please consider your dog's cues and preferences to tailor playtime to their needs. Stay consistent with your expectations and follow through with the boundaries you have implemented.
If you have additional questions on appropriate play between dogs, fill out the quick form below and we will answer your questions on our next podcast episode of Casually KANE9!
-Kait