How Can My Dog Play With Other Dogs?

Playing with other dogs is the most fun for your dog. At least, when this all goes smoothly without incidents. The ideal scenario for every owner is that dogs socialize and have fun with other dogs. When your dog does activities that stimulate his body and brain, you can see the joy on his face.

 

This image is broken, however, when rough play occurs for the first time. Your dog has the annoying habit of growling, biting, grabbing and chasing other dogs. Instead of making new friends, your dog tries to exert his dominance over the other dogs. His rough play has not yet led to a fight, but it will soon. Because you do not want to prevent him from having fun, it is time to show him how to behave.

Is it possible that your dog is overly aggressive when playing with other dogs?

Sometimes it can be challenging to differentiate between good play and play that crosses the line. Growling and biting are perfectly natural behaviors for dogs to exhibit while having fun.

Dogs have a language all their own that allows them to communicate with each other. Because humans aren’t always adept at picking up on these subtle cues, what seems like a life-or-death struggle between two playmates could actually be their wonderful time together.

The problem arises, however, when that delicate balance is disturbed. Once one of the dogs decides that playing is no longer fun, the situation is more likely to get out of hand. Every dog is unique, and even their methods of playing can vary significantly.

Here are some telltale signs that your dog is taking fun way too seriously.

• Replace effortless jumping with fast, effective movements
• Ears pinned back
• The stiffness of the body

If you see any of these behaviors your dog exhibits when engaging in playful activities, there is a possibility that the situation is becoming precarious.

What can cause dogs to play so roughly with other dogs?

There are a number of possible explanations for why a dog might repeatedly engage in rough play. For starters, a significant number of young dogs engage in rough play because they can’t fully control their emotions. They become so energized and hyper-stimulated by what’s happening that they can’t help but lose control of themselves. It’s possible that your young puppy will outgrow this period as he gets older and has better impulse control.

One of the reasons why young dogs play rough is because they have been unintentionally socialized to behave this way. Puppies are forced to adapt their behavior to keep up with their older dog counterparts when exposed to rough play by more experienced dogs. Humans are just as responsible for this faulty learning experience in life. Have you ever been involved in a dogfight with your pet on the living room carpet? Wrestling is a lot of fun, but it also teaches your dog how to behave appropriately when playing in an area as unpredictable as the park.

There is also the potential that your dog is aggressive toward other dogs because he wants to assert his dominance over them. In this particular case, he is not playing. This is a form of passive aggression that will not achieve anything positive in the long run. Before you can expect your dog to stop trying to dominate the other dogs in the pack, you must first figure out why he feels the need to do this and then treat the underlying problem.

How do you teach your dog to play with other dogs?

The best way to ensure that a dog develops a healthy sense of play is to socialize him when he is a puppy. Puppies learn which types of play are successful and which are not. They cry out in pain when they experience it. If one of the children has a problem with something another playmate is doing, the other children will tell him. Dogs have to learn to interact with other dogs and people through trial and error. If your dog has already passed this stage, don't worry. It is not too late to teach an adult dog to interact properly with other dogs.

Start with an attitude of obedience as a foundation

The difference between chasing your dog around the park and being able to use your voice to call him back is the foundation of obedience you are providing him. At this stage in the process, you can’t directly address his playtime problem. But obedience is a vital component. You need to be confident in your dog’s training before you let him interact with other dogs.

Will he be able to retain his memory even when competing with other dogs for attention? Will he still pay attention to what you have to say when all he wants to do is attack every dog he can see? If you get a “no,” it’s appropriate to withdraw from the park so you can focus on developing your dog’s obedience. When you and the child can communicate without difficulty, it will be much easier for you to direct his play to making it more age-appropriate.

Stop it before it even begins

When you take Buster, Fido, or Fluffy to the park and see them interacting with another dog, it is your responsibility to pay close attention to what is going on. You need to stop physical play before it even starts. To do this, you need to have a good understanding of your puppy’s body language. It is your responsibility to intervene if you notice him getting angry.

These indicators include stiff body movements, low growls, or intense fixation in some cases. If that doesn’t work, you can also consider what your dog isn’t doing in terms of behavior. Play bows are a great indicator that everyone is having a good time. Dogs who are having a positive interaction during play will usually be jumping around with their tongues hanging out of their mouths. However, because every dog’s play style is unique, you’ll need to figure out what’s “normal” for your dog and put a stop to his antics as soon as things get too heated. He needs to understand that being overly enthusiastic will result in a time-out.

Unacceptable behavior when dogs play with other dogs

You teach your dog that rough play is acceptable by allowing him to continue it. It is crucial to stop events before they get out of hand; however, you must also be careful about the circumstances in which your dog is placed.

Stop taking him to the park during the busiest times of day if you already know he gets overly excited. If you are aware of a particular dog or breed of dog that is likely to make him play rough, you should do everything possible to avoid that dog or breed (at least until you are more advanced in training). You should not put your dog in a scenario that you know he is not adequately prepared for, if at all possible.

Teach a command called “Stay”

Along with “sit,” “stay,” and “come,” “settle” is one of the most useful commands you can teach your dog. When he hears the word “settle,” he knows it’s time to calm down, which he does:

• Growling at the cat that lives next door.
• Jumping up and down in anticipation of food.
• Ready to show another dog in the park who's the alpha.

Victoria Stilwell, a dog behavior specialist, recommends starting this cue instruction in an area free of distractions. You can get your dog to stay where you want him to by saying “quiet” and luring him with a treat. This can be done by sitting, standing, or lying down on his mat. After he has demonstrated that he will reliably follow your lure, ask him to wait a moment before giving the cue. If his demeanor is anything less than completely calm, start over. This way, you can safely let your dog play with other dogs.

With enough practice, you can incorporate interruptions into this pattern. Try putting him in the yard first, then on the sidewalk, and finally in a location where he can interact. Introduce these changes gradually, and only do so after he has demonstrated a consistent willingness to listen to you in the previous stage. Your long-term goal should be to get your dog’s attention no matter what’s going on around him, and then get him to settle down when you tell him to.