We are animal behavior researchers who have spent more than ten years examining dog play. We have examined hundreds of hours of data with colleagues to test play-related hypotheses. We present our findings at conferences on animal behavior and publish in scholarly journals. One thing we discovered is that dog play that some people might deem inappropriate or unsafe is actually just play fighting.
Because it includes many of the behaviors observed during actual fights and can appear rougher than it actually is, researchers in the field of animal behavior frequently refer to social play as “dog play fighting.” One dog might chase and tackle another during play or use a neck bite to knock a partner to the ground. Additionally, dogs will chin-over, mount, rear up, bite, stand over, sit on, snarl, growl, and hip-check or slam (i). e. to their partner’s neck by placing their chin under their partner’s neck.
Dog play fighting and real fighting have some obvious differences despite the overlap in behaviors. Dogs who are playing with each other reduce the force of their bites and occasionally purposefully disadvantage themselves by doing things like rolling over or letting themselves get caught up in a chase that they would never do in actual combat.
Dogs use signals like play bows to clearly demarcate play in addition to restrained bites and self-handicapping (i e. exaggerated, bouncy movements (e.g., lowering the front half of the body while maintaining the back half in the air). Â.
Play signals, which the anthropologist Gregory Bateson defined as communication about communication, Humans employ meta-communication a lot. For instance, when making fun of a friend, we might smile or speak in a certain way to convey that we’re only kidding. Similar to humans, dogs use their play bow to signal their intent to play and to invite play. Â.
During his time at the University of Colorado, Marc Bekoff conducted research demonstrating that dogs are more likely to engage in play bowing just before or right after engaging in an especially assertive behavior, such as a bite coupled with a head shake. This pattern suggests that playing dogs are aware of when their actions might be mistaken for severe aggression and adjust by telling their partner, “I’m still playing,” to make up for it. â.
Social beings can peer through a looking glass into a world with different rules by using meta-communication. Dogs and humans can pretend thanks to meta-communication, which enables them to do things that seem to mean one thing but actually mean something entirely different. Play that includes archetypal aggressive behaviors, like snarling and growling, can be quite perplexing to people unfamiliar with the idea that some nonhuman animals have this ability. But paying close attention to the context can help us distinguish between fake aggression and actual aggression.
People frequently feel the need to step in during play fighting even though it differs greatly from actual fighting. Sometimes it’s clear that two dogs are playing when the bout first starts, but as soon as the dogs start growling or their arousal heightens, observers might no longer be certain that the dogs are still playing. After all, humans naturally avoid dogs that are growling or showing their teeth, so it only makes sense to assume that our dogs should do the same. People believe they are “playing it safe,” or doing no harm, when they stop really rowdy play. But what if this assumption is mistaken?.
According to our research, many dogs negotiate new relationships and form enduring friendships primarily through play fighting. Play is enjoyable, but it also provides significant opportunities for canine communication. In this sense, play is a kind of language. Therefore, are we helping our dogs by stopping what we deem “inappropriate” play, or are we just annoying them by constantly interrupting their private conversations? More importantly, how can we tell the difference?Related article
If a game of fetch becomes too rough, separate the dogs until they have calmed down. Working on your dog’s recall command so they consistently respond to it in a variety of settings is another option for prevention.
Fights have their own set of body language that can help you identify when an intervention is needed. Tense body language such as a tucked tail, stiff movements, deep growling, and snarling are cues that the dog is under stress. Most dogs will try to get away from the situation if they are uncomfortable. If you see any of these signs, this is the time to calmly remove your dog from the situation before things escalate.
The “wheelbarrow method” may work to physically remove dogs from each other while minimizing risk to any handlers. However, this method works best when there is at least one person per dog. Each person should grab the hind legs of the dogs, lift their back end off the ground as if you’re moving a wheelbarrow, and walk backwards to separate the dogs. Once the dogs are separated, each person should steer their dogs into a 180-degree turn so the other dog(s) are no longer in sight.
Stopping a fight. Many fights are spats that are primarily noisy and only last a few seconds. These usually do not involve biting. If your dog is involved in one of these skirmishes, quickly and calmly approach your dog and leave the area.
Playing vs. Fighting. Pinned ears, an erect tail, growling, and showing teeth are all appropriate signs of communication that dogs can use during playtime. This may make it hard to tell the difference between playing and fighting. The key is to make sure both dogs are engaging at similar levels and do not look stressed. If both dogs are play bowing, bouncy, or seem to exaggerate their movements and vocalizations, it’s likely a play session. Another good indication of play is sneezing. Dogs sneeze as a way to communicate to their play partners (human or canine) that they want to keep things safe and fun. Dogs often take turns being dominant or submissive and will take small breaks between bouts of play. It is very important not to “punish the thought” by correcting appropriate communication signals. Never use a correction until there is an actual negative behavior to correct. More often than not, the dogs are successfully able to work through altercations or interactions on their own!
Understand Dog Play Versus Fighting
Dog play often imitates fighting and appears rougher than it actually is. A fight can start during any play session, but it is less likely to happen when two well-socialized dogs are playing. The likelihood of a fight increases when there are three or more dogs present because several dogs may decide to attack one another. A fight is even more likely to occur if one or more dogs are not well-socialized or have a history of attacking other dogs.
The untrained eye may have trouble recognizing when play becomes combat. While supervising dog play, a solid grasp of canine body language is essential. Most dog play begins with the “play bow. A dog “bows” when playing by keeping his back legs straight, rump in the air, and front legs and chest close to the ground. This is an invitation to play. Dog play can include vocalization, which shouldn’t be mistaken for aggression. In actuality, louder play sessions don’t always result in the worst dog fights. Playing dogs are loose and flowing. They switch places as the bottom and top dog. The majority of the time, they react to the sights and sounds around them (or notice them but purposefully ignore them). They nip at each other’s heads and necks, but they don’t actually break the skin. Dogs who are fighting tighten up and become more intense (possibly even obsessed) with one another. One or both dogs will adopt a rigid stance and stand as if trying to appear bigger. One dog may occasionally be acting more aggressively while the other is frequently restrained. They might stop and look each other in the eye with their heads bowed, their ears held back, low growls, and/or their lips curled to reveal their canine teeth. The dogs may start to bite hard enough to cause bleeding wounds as the fight intensifies. The dog that bit the other dog may continue to hold on, appearing to have its teeth locked onto it. Injured dogs will whimper or cry.
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Behaviors that say it’s all good fun
FAQ
How can you tell the difference between dogs playing and dog fighting?
Make sure both dogs are participating equally and don’t appear stressed. It’s probably time for a play session if both dogs are bowing, bouncing, or acting exaggeratedly in their movements and vocalizations. Another good indication of play is sneezing.
Should I let my dogs play fight?
Dogs playing with one another is only natural and ought to be permitted. It is a good socialization exercise for your dog, a practice for adulthood, and a rehearsal for adulthood.
How do I know if my dogs like each other?
According to Nelson, touching is a sign of an animal’s trust in another as well as their ability to get along. According to Nelson, “If they are sleeping together, cuddling, and really, really making eye contact with each other, then that’s an obvious sign that there is true affection between the animals.”
Are dogs play fighting or fighting?
According to our research, many dogs negotiate new relationships and form enduring friendships primarily through play fighting. Play is enjoyable, but it also provides significant opportunities for canine communication. In this sense, play is a kind of language.