When your dog plays with another dog, do you worry that they’re fighting? Or that the apparently very rough play could turn into a fight?
Most of the time, there’s no need to worry. Normal dog play often looks scary, but it’s fine.
Some of my favorite dogs agreed to let me share video of their play so you can see …
Cali, Maisy, and I were on a nice walk. The sun was out, the grass was freshly mowed … and, suddenly, Cali simply had to play. She bowed to Maisy, and they were off. I dropped their leashes to let them move more easily. I don’t recommend letting dogs roughhouse with their leashes on, but I let them do it this time, just for a minute.
They often go for each other’s necks. They’ll flip over and wrestle. Maisy occasionally leaps right over Cali. If Maisy gets too enthusiastic, Cali lets her know by walking away or giving her a look.
Stella and Luna (gold star to anyone who gets the literary reference) are sisters. Sometimes, it looks like Luna (gray) is about to rip Stella’s head off. Often, it looks like Stella is chowing down on Luna’s neck. They’re not.
The most important signs that the dog play is fun and fine with both are:
- They take turns; sometimes it looks like one is killing the other; sometimes the reverse. They both get to be chaser and chasee in turn.
- They take little breaks or pauses — a few seconds maybe — and both re-engage.
- When one does ask for a break, the other respects the request and they take a longer break.
If you’re concerned about your dog’s play, watch for the above positive signs and intervene if it looks like one dog is trying to call a pause and the other’s not listening. Or someone cries in pain. Or multiple dogs seem to be piling onto or chasing one — always the same — dog.
But most of the time, your dog’s just having fun in a very doggy way. And, though it looks like the other dog’s ripping her ears off or tearing a hole in her neck, she’ll walk away with nothing more than a bunch of slobber on her coat.
Learn more about dog body language and communication from this adorable book: Doggie Language
The Thinking Dog 
Joy is pure when you are a dog.
LikeLike
Great post! Glad we don ‘t have to put Jaxson on melatonin just yet. He only barks at the usual predators; those being cars driving on HIS street, UPS, Amazon, and US Mail (trucks). Oh I can’t leave out garbage trucks, neighbors walking down the street, sitting on their stoop across the street, pulling weeds next door, or little Toby peeing on HIS (our) mailbox. Aside from that he never barks!
Love you!
The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears. Minoass proverb
>
LikeLike