Dog-Dog-Puppy— Play Rules and Manners
Play between dogs should be a two-way street. Play should typically go back and forth, with one dog pursuing the other and then a role reversal. If one dog is always being chased, or hiding, it is highly unlikely this dog is having fun and intervention is necessary. Role reversal also means one dog on top, then the other dog on top. Do not allow chase games with a large dog pursuing a puppy or small dog. The 50:50 Rule stipulates that both players have the same chance of winning (Aldis, 1975).
Get your full lesson here in the Do No Harm Dog Training and Behavior Handbook
Here are some essential tips for the assessment and supervision of play:
Look for wiggling body language, happy faces, and play bows from both dogs.
Bouncy exaggerated rocking-horse type movements are a sign the dogs are having fun.
Determine whether your dog wants to run back and play with another dog by giving a consent test.
Separate the dogs, remove your dog some distance away, then observe whether your dog wants to run back and play with the other dog or not.
Dogs should be self-imposing breaks from play to rest or get a small drink. Breaks may include sniffing.
If one dog wants a break the other dog shows respect by not persisting in perpetual play inducements.
If your dog comes and lies down near you, take the lead, and protect your dog from further interaction until your dog desires another round of play. Sniffing may be in order.
Protect your puppy by allowing play but KNOWING THE RED FLAGS
Puppies and adult dogs must be monitored very carefully as should small dogs vs. large dogs. Not all adult dogs like puppies. Large adult dogs should change levels, that is voluntarily self-handicap, and let the puppy or smaller dog “win” regularly during role reversals. These behaviors balance inequalities in size, strength, and health.
If role-reversals or self-handicapping are not occurring, do not allow your puppy or small dog continued interaction with an adult or much larger dog who may show aggression or cause physical or emotional injury.
One dog may be either the victim or the bully in different contexts. Roles may also change when playing with different play partners. Dogs should take turns happily chasing each other where neither dog is a bully or a target, so play goes back and forth.
With puppies, adult dogs should be willing to let the puppy win now and again and should always back off if the puppy squeals. You should not hear a puppy or dog squealing during play except if the dog is accidentally frightened or tackled too roughly. Adult dogs should be willing to get down to the puppy’s or small dog’s level, that is, handicapping, so that the puppy can have fun too. Make sure all puppies and dogs have areas to escape play if stressed or tired.
Contrary to some widely held opinions, well-socialized adult dogs are generally quite tolerant of puppies and do not actively, or frequently correct puppies with neck grabs, shakes or any type of aggressive behavior. If play becomes too rough the adult dog typically simply walks away, effectively ending the fun, therein, teaching the puppy what is appropriate and what is not. (See Chapter 9, Dog-Dog Play Rules.) Dog Park and Dog
Michaels, Linda. The Do No Harm Dog Training and Behavior Handbook: Featuring the Hierarchy of Dog Needs® (pp. 234-236). Do No Harm Dog Training.
