Our dogs relate differently to one another than humans do -- so much sniffing and snorting and thrashing about. There seem to be as many styles of dog play as there are dogs; no wonder we're surprised when a fight erupts that we never saw coming.
I can share some basic principles that can help you decode the doggie ballet and spot signals that a slam dance could be coming.
Howdy Do!
Trista's owner knows a few tricks
My own dog, a German shepherd, is the poster pup for yucky greeters… straight toward the other dog with a steady gaze, stiff stance and with her ruff up, giving the dog a sniff of proctologic precision. Depending on the other dog, she will cautiously put her chin over the back of the other dog (or "tee") to see what she can get away with. Trista’s version of talkin’ trash!
The show of hackles, also known as piloerection, is an indication of a heightened state of arousal. It is not necessarily an indication of a dog about to act aggressively, though the winds could certainly blow in that direction, depending on the dog. But what it communicates to dogs in the vicinity is that she is in an aroused, unstable state.
Not long afterwards will come the shake-off, when the dog will shake her body as if shaking off water. This communicates to the group that she is now in a calmer, more stable state and is not as likely to be rash or reactive.
Dogs At Play
The purpose of play is to rehearse important natural behaviors: hunting, fighting, fleeing, and sexual behavior. So it’s not surprising that activities such as biting and chasing are part of play. And, though most dogs have been neutered, it is perfectly natural that their play would include sexually derived behaviors like mounting and humping.
Different breeds tend to practice different play styles, and this should be a consideration when choosing a playmate. Standard poodles prefer games of chase accented by polite play bows. They are completely put off by the rude body slamming, paw jabbing style of boxers.
Another important characteristic of good play is role reversal. The chaser becomes the chased; the biter becomes the bitten. For this reason, size disparity is undesirable. How frustrating for a little terrier to be consistently manhandled by its pit bull playmate, even if both dogs like to wrestle! Like a feather-weight sparring with a super-heavyweight.
An equally serious concern inherent in size disparities is that of predatory drift, in which a smaller dog (or cat) moves in a prey-like way that triggers a sudden predatory response from a larger dog or a group of dogs. This is a recipe for potentially deadly disaster.
Quarrels Happen
Short, noisy quarrels are a natural occurrence in dog interactions and can be instructive, given that the receiver understands and respects the message of the sender. Should the message be ignored, things can escalate.
My clients have a rude adolescent male dobie mix who has proven to be too strong a force for a great many dogs. In a recent play session, this dog put his forelegs on Trista’s back immediately upon meeting her. In human terms, this is a bit like playfully punching a stranger in the arm upon meeting him on the street.
Four-year-old Trista snarked,growling and turning to bite and chase him away – a perfectly appropriate "cut the crap" correction for a mature female to give a young hoodlum. He got the message, taking off and not pushing his luck. Eventually, they hit their stride, as he gamely allowed Trista the joy out the chase, occasionally bouncing into her to incite her to play but never again jumping up on her.
He'll need more time with other dogs who can correct his behavior. Otherwise, he could someday run into a less tolerant dog and things could escalate.
Take a Break
Aroused play, when allowed to continue for too long, can spiral into a fight. Dogs will often take short breaks from play, giving themselves a chance for a bit of a breather. If they are not doing it voluntarily, you must step in and impose a short break every two to three minutes. Call your dog away or go get him; then ask for a “sit” or “down” for 30 seconds before releasing him back to play.
Points of Friction
Doorways and narrow passages can heighten arousal and provoke friction. If, when entering a dog park, dogs have gathered at the entrance, wait for their owners to call them away or for them to get bored and disperse. It can be intimidating for the arriving dog to be surrounded by a barrage of dogs. Practice the same etiquette with your own dog.
Also keep on eye on dogs around tennis balls or the water bowl. Be wary of those who stiffen, show their eye whites, or lift a lip when other dogs get too close to them with the prized possession.
Parenting
Ultimately, you must decide whether your dog is adjusted and having a good time. If not, you need to step in.
Look for signals of stress, such as lip licking or yawning, or for avoidant behavior like hiding behind you, or for escapist behavior like jumping up or clawing at you. These are calls for help and shouldn't be ignored. Your dog is trusting you as a guardian who will intervene and make choices he or she alone can't make.
Sometimes the energy of the dog becomes too tense, with several dogs snarking each other. Trista seems magnetically drawn to the eyes of these storms. If such is the case, you should remove your dog.
If other owners are allowing their dogs to play inappropriately without intervening, taking a “they’ll work it out for themselves” attitude, remove your dog. That is precisely the kind of environment where play can escalate into something more serious.
At the same time, you cannot allow your own dog to become a bully. If repeated breaks and time-outs don't work, remove your dog. Allowing him to practice such behavior is giving him the opportunity to perfect an undesirable skill.
Matinee at the Doggie Ballet
I can remain transfixed for hours watching the beauty of loose, happy play – eyes bright, mouths lax and gaping, tongues lolling, tails swinging happily. Sometimes it’s graceful with its play bow invitations; sometimes it’s athletic with its feints and jabs. Whatever its flavor, the most indicative characteristic of play is its wasteful use of energy. A playful dog will make loose, bouncy, exaggerated lateral movements, while a dog with more serious intent will have an economy of motion.
So, go to your local dog run, find yourself a front-row seat and enjoy the show!
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