Appropriate Greetings & Play

Do you know what appropriate play between dogs looks like?

Do you know when you should step in to interrupt? Do you know how best to interrupt?

Here's a little insight & education!

Consider how stable, confident dogs greet - curvy, calm, getting information through their noses. Dogs normally meet in a calm, curvy, wide approach. Charging in fast & excited with direct approaches can lead to trouble.

Once the greeting is over, look for your dog's body language to remain curvy, soft, flexible, with natural, gentle, fluid movements. Stiff, high bodies & tails, or hard stares canteen tension is building, and it's best that you calmly call the dogs away to interrupt.

Look for the dogs who are playing, to take natural 'breaks' in play. Breaks can give each dog a chance to evaluate if they still want to play. They can use a break in play to 'shake off', or sniff, and just calm down. Constant, aroused, intense play, or one dog trying to leave while the other persists in playing, should be interrupted to give both dogs a break.

Look for 'reciprocal play', meaning the dogs take turns being on top, or chasing, or play biting, etc. One-sided play where one dog is constantly chasing and pestering the other could cause the other dog to become frustrated, and defensive. In this case, play should be calmly & positively interrupted.

Your role is to stay observant, and keep an eye on the play. Allow your dog to learn through appropriate play, how to both 'read' and 'speak' doggy language. If play is too rough, seems unequal, or your dog is looking for a break,  step in to support or advocate for your dog. Interrupt so that your dog doesn't practice 'bullying', nor be the one being 'bullied'. Carefully supervise so play experiences are fun, positive and are building both confidence & resilience for your dog.