How do I stop my dog from playing too rough?

1. Stop play completely if it becomes too rough.
2. Avoid playing rough with your pooch in the first place if you know she tends to get carried away.
3. Teach some reliable play rules: “drop it” and “all done” are great options. …
4. Try some other types of training games with your dog instead!

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. ”.

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

How to know if a dog is playing too rough

You must observe your dog’s body language to determine whether they are playing too rough. Dogs use various signals to convey their feelings. These comprise their body posture, facial expressions, and tail position, among other things. A dog will exhibit a variety of signs when they are joyful, sad, angry, or experiencing any other emotion.

We can tell whether a dog is playing rough or is just having fun by observing its body language. Each dog will be able to detect another dog’s threat level intuitively, but we must educate ourselves and pay attention. Vocalizations can be challenging to distinguish because an ecstatic yelp can sound like an angry one.

Calming signals are the poses and expressions that anxious dogs display. They are used to demonstrate to the other dog that they will attack if provoked and to try to defuse a confrontation. These are important to know. When the dog is acting rough, if they show up, it could be dangerous.

Puppies are particularly prone to becoming agitated, and since they are still learning, they frequently don’t understand that playing with their claws or teeth is improper in their new homes and environments. Some adult dogs can play too rough, though, especially those who weren’t taught proper boundaries from the start. In order for a dog to be a happy, healthy, and secure member of a family, the owner must establish the ground rules.

Maintaining your composure and being patient and consistent throughout the training session are important. A toy, tennis ball, or even a head halter could be useful to have on hand for training purposes. Additionally, careful observation is required to spot the transition in your dog from being content and spirited to being overly excited.

Every living thing has the capacity to become overexcited and caught up in the moment. Dogs are absolutely no exception, and while it can be entertaining to observe or even participate in boisterous play, too frequently your dog may misinterpret your cues and believe that playing rough is acceptable. It’s imperative that you teach your dog to stop undesirable behaviors as soon as they start, especially if they put you, your dog, or your family in danger.

Overexcitement or learning how to play rough from other dogs are two common causes of rough play in dogs. When dogs play rough, it may be because their owners have taught them to do so or because the dog is trying to assert his dominance over the person or another dog. The latter group poses a risk because the dogs are not actually playing when they try to dominate others. These dogs could growl or even bite, which would be extremely harmful. Whatever the situation, you can teach your dog to stop rough play by using any of these efficient training techniques.

This kind of instruction aims to socialize your dog in the right ways. For puppies or any dog who has never received the proper training before, this exercise is essential. Do not mistake this behavior for being adorable or sweet; when your puppy grows up and becomes an adult dog, you won’t feel the same way about it.

As far as the play itself, one thing to be wary of is speed and intensity.

It is a lot easier for play to boil over into aggression when things are becoming fast and furious. Are the dogs racing around the park? There’s nothing inherently wrong with that, but monitor them to ensure that all the adrenaline-fueled excitement doesn’t turn into aggression. The more dogs that are involved, the more potential danger. Also, the more vertical the play gets, especially where dogs are standing on their hind legs and mouth wrestling, the more potential for danger. And, watch for actions dogs may take offense to. A few to watch for are humping, hip bumping or slamming, and placing a head over another dog’s neck or shoulder area.

FAQ

How do I teach my dog to play gentle?

1. Start With a Foundation of Obedience.
2. Stop it Before it Starts.
3. Don’t Rehearse Bad Behavior.
4. Teach a “Settle” Cue.

Why do my dogs play rough all the time?

Overexcitement or learning how to play rough from other dogs are two common causes of rough play in dogs. When dogs play rough, it may be because their owners have taught them to do so or because the dog is trying to assert his dominance over the person or another dog.

How do I stop my puppy from playing too rough with each other?

Say “ouch” and move back if the puppy bites you too hard. Don’t play anymore. This is how littermates discipline one another to avoid rough play. A tough bite results in a yelp and a refusal to play.

How do you know if a dog is playing too rough?

Raised hackles, which are the hairs on the back of their necks and along their spines, stiffness in their torso and legs are some indications of aggressive play behavior to watch out for. Stiff tail in a high position.