Dog Play

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There is a lot about dog play that we humans miss. For one thing, many of us confuse play and aggression. Play can look aggressive, but it's enjoyable to both dogs if you see these signs:

Dog Interactions

When dogs play off-leash, you should know the difference between polite interactions and signs of trouble. Use the signals below to decide if your dog is safe or if it's time to stop playing. Play, under normal circumstances, happens in short spurts. If not, you should interrupt the play, so the dogs can calm down, before letting them loose again.

Dog Parks

We all envision our dogs romping gleefully with doggy friends at our local dog parks. However, not every dog enjoys being in a dog park, and not every dog park is appropriate for your dog.

Before you take your dog to a dog park, check the dogs and humans at the time that you are most likely to go. Chances are that the same dogs will show up at the same time each week. Watch for anything that might be of concern.

• Is the dog park particularly busy at that time?
• Do any of the dogs seem to be bullying other dogs? 
• Are the humans paying attention to their dogs or are they busy talking to each other? 
• Do you see dogs going after the same toy that someone brought into the dog park?
• Are the humans tolerant of each other's dogs?
• Is there a separate area for the smaller dogs to play?
• Are there a large number of intact males?
• Is the park double gated and the gating and fencing secure?

Dogs need exercise, including play, but playtime needs to be a good experience for everyone. If you insist on going to a dog park, promise yourself that if you have any doubts about whether your dog or others are acting appropriately, the play is getting too rough or your dog is not having fun, you will LEAVE. Don't discount the importance of playtime at home with you. You are your dog's best friend and most sought-after companion.

Why Dog Parks May Not Be Appropriate For Your Dog

Play Styles: Different dogs have different play styles (chasing, wrestling, body slamming, biting…) that aren’t compatible. So, some tension among dogs is inevitable.

Arousal: Dogs at dog parks are in a high state of arousal. Arousal can quickly turn into aggression, with resulting fights. There is no way for dogs to calm down as one dog after another approaches. Making it worse, many humans encourage hours of play because it will tire their dog, without realizing the dangers of their dog being in a non-stop state of arousal. Chemicals are released that were once useful for dogs’ survival, but which now only serve to ramp up our dogs.  These don’t dissipate right away, leading to dogs that are on alert even when they’re away from the dog park.  When on leash, they chafe at being restricted and can’t approach dogs politely.

Bullies:  There are some dogs that bully other dogs and others that have never learned polite dog interaction. These dogs approach head-on, stare or don’t heed another dog’s warning to back off. When your dog enters a dog park, the others surround him, and, sometimes, loose packs of dogs roam the dog park menacing other dogs.

And Bullied: You see dogs that jump on their humans, hide behind them, stay near the fence, cower or move away when another dog comes near. They are doing everything they can to tell their people that they don’t want to be there. But so many of us think it’s good for them or that they are actually enjoying themselves that we ignore their pleas to leave.You CANNOT make your dog like other dogs by forcing him to be around them, especially in a busy and unpredictable dog park.

Human Inattention & Lack of Understanding: The humans often don’t pay attention, are defensive about their own dogs, and don’t recognize the signals that dogs give to each other and to us. Some will bring toys or balls into the dogpark and then get upset when nearby dogs go after them. We have even heard of people who have kicked, hit or picked up and thrown another person’s dog because they deemed that dog’s behavior toward their dog to be inappropriate, even when it was normal dog behavior that didn’t require intervention.

Health: No one is checking on whether the dogs at dog parks are healthy or have had their vaccinations. And because of arousal during play that spills over to aggression, dogs have been bitten, badly injured or have died because of injuries suffered at dog parks. 

Predatory Drift: Some dogs are more predatory than others. They were bred to chase and kill other animals. At some point, when they are chasing that furry looking dog (that may resemble a rabbit or squirrel to them), their animal instinct may kick in.  The dog may pick up and shake another dog as if it were prey.

Long-Term Effects:  If something happens at the dog park – your dog is scared, bitten or a fight breaks out nearby - your dog’s behavior can be affected from then on .Even one bad experience can have long-term effects on your dog.

We see so many dogs that become reactive after going to dog parks – either because they are now afraid of other dogs and act aggressively to keep them away or because it’s difficult for them to stay calm when they see another dog.

What To Do Instead

Arrange play dates with dogs that you know are compatible and healthy. Keep in mind, though, that even best friends can become overly aroused, leading to aggression in an instant.  So, help them calm down every few minutes before letting them loose to play again. Call your dog or go get your dog, and give a gentle massage while talking softly. If your dog doesn’t come or wriggles when with you, be patient and stay calm. Remember that until your dog learns that your intervention is a pleasant experience and only temporary, you can’t compete with aroused dogs at play. 

Breaking up play every few minutes helps to keep the arousal level low and teaches your dog that he doesn’t always have to be manic in the company of other dogs. Your walks will be much more pleasant as your dog learns to be calm, instead of jumping around and tugging, when seeing another dog along the way.

If exercise is your goal, there are a lot of ways for you to exercise your dog – blowing bubbles for your dog to pop, dropping a ball down the stairs, moving around a Chase ‘N Pull toy (a sheepskin on a flexible rod that you move around on the ground for your dog to chase) or teaching your dog to “find it” (running around looking for hidden treats).

Most of us don’t realize that when our dogs use their brains, it tires them as much as physical exercise and is just as important.  Practice training cues, use interactive toys (where the dog has to pull, drop, roll or tug the toy to get kibble to fall out) or teach your dog tricks.

There is no limit to the ways you can provide physical exercise and mental stimulation for your dog without risking your dog’s health and well-being at a dog park.