Dog Plays Too Rough with Other Dogs: Fixing Aggressive Play

If your dog plays too rough with other dogs, it can be a real challenge to manage. The good news is that with some understanding of canine behavior and a few simple strategies, you can help your dog learn to play more gently.

Dogs play rough because they're wired to do so - it's a natural part of their behavior. In the wild, dogs would engage in rough play to establish dominance and practice hunting skills.

To fix aggressive play, you need to identify the triggers that cause your dog to become overexcited. According to research, dogs are more likely to engage in rough play when they're feeling anxious or overstimulated.

By recognizing the signs of overexcitement, such as panting or growling, you can intervene before things get out of hand.

Some dogs just don't know any better when it comes to play. They may not have been properly socialized as puppies and never developed good canine play skills.

Dogs who are having a great time playing with others will usually switch positions and there's give and take. No one is cowering or trying to escape.

Jaw sparring, or "bitey face", is a common game where dogs clash their open mouths against each other. It looks scary, but no one is getting hurt.

Chase can be a fun game, but it's not okay if the dog being chased looks frightened. If there's a pack of dogs targeting another dog and chasing him down, intervention is necessary.

Wrestling can be a fun game, but it's best if dogs are of equal size to avoid injury. To see if both dogs are enjoying the game, call the top one off and see what the bottom dog does.

If dogs have different play styles, it can lead to misunderstandings and even fights. For example, if a Border Collie is staring at a Boxer, wanting to chase him, this might be frightening for the Boxer.

Here are some signs that a dog is not enjoying a game: a tail tucked, a worried expression, trying to hide. If you see these signs, it's time to intervene.

By understanding dog behavior and recognizing the signs of a dog not having fun, we can help prevent misunderstandings and fights.

Check this out: Are Boxer Dogs Good Family Dogs

Puppies often don't realize their own strength, which can lead to accidental damage. This is not the same as true aggression.

Aggression in dogs is often caused by fear, so try to find the source of your dog's fear. Could it be a specific toy, environment, or playstyle?

Common signs of aggression in play include biting or nipping at hands or extremities, growling when trying to play or take a toy away, having a stiff posture, not wagging their tail, making prolonged and direct eye contact, or snapping at you.

Some common behaviors to look out for in terms of aggressive play in your puppy include biting or nipping at your hand or extremities, growling when you try to play with them or when you attempt to take their toy away, having a stiff posture, not wagging their tail, making prolonged and direct eye contact with you, and snapping at you.

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Prolonged and direct eye contact is a red flag, as it can be a sign of aggression in dogs. In many cases, a puppy might not be cognizant of their own strength, or their ability to hurt others, but this doesn't necessarily mean they're being aggressive.

Aggression is often caused by fear in puppies and dogs, so try to find what might be causing your dog to feel afraid. This could be a result of a specific toy, surrounding environment, or playstyle.

If your dog is displaying signs of true aggression, it's essential to identify the source of the aggression as soon as possible. A dog's playstyle can be influenced by their socialization as a puppy, and some dogs may not have developed good canine play skills.

Here are some common signs of aggressive play to look out for:

Loud play vocalizations are normal, but listen for any change in pitch, tone, or volume.

A change in vocalization can be a warning sign that your dog is getting overexcited or frustrated. This is especially true if the change is sudden or persistent.

If you notice a change in your dog's vocalization, it's a good idea to step in and press pause on play. This will prevent the situation from escalating and give your dog a chance to calm down.

Constant barking from one dog pestering another during play is another red flag. It's not just annoying, it's also reinforcing the barking behavior in the long-term.

As you take your dog out to play with others, it's your responsibility to actively manage playtime. This means being fully present and attentive to your dog's behavior and the behavior of other dogs.

You can't just sit back and let things happen, especially in a chaotic environment like a dog park. Almost every scuffle I've seen at dog parks could have been easily prevented if the owners had simply been paying attention and stepped in to manage the play.

Dog parks are not the right time or place for you to catch up on social media, respond to work emails, or chat on the phone. You need to be fully engaged with your dog and the other dogs in the park.

If you notice your dog starting to get overexcited or aggressive, it's essential to stop play immediately and give them a break. Consistently and quickly ceasing all play once aggressive behavior starts will send a clear message to your dog that these actions are not tolerated.

By being proactive and managing playtime, you can prevent bad play experiences and possible dog fights. This will not only keep your dog safe but also create stronger positive associations for them.

Aggressive play in dogs can be intense, and it's essential to recognize the warning signs before things escalate. Biting or nipping at hands or extremities is a common behavior to look out for.

Growling when you try to play with them or when you attempt to take their toy away is another sign that their play is becoming too rough. Having a stiff posture is also a warning sign that they're getting too worked up.

Not wagging their tail and making prolonged and direct eye contact with you are also indicators that their play is becoming aggressive. Snapping at you is a clear sign that they've lost control of their rougher instincts.

Here are some common warning signs to look out for in dog play:

If you notice your puppy displaying aggressive play behaviors, it's time to press pause. Biting or nipping at your hand or extremities, growling when you try to play with them, and having a stiff posture are all warning signs that playtime needs to be interrupted.

Growling is a clear sign that your puppy is getting too rough, and it's essential to respect their boundaries. If your puppy makes prolonged and direct eye contact with you, it's also a sign that they're getting too worked up.

On a similar theme: My Puppy Plays Too Rough with Small Dogs

You can look out for these common behaviors to determine if it's time to pause play. If your puppy is not wagging their tail, it's a sign that they're getting overwhelmed.

Here are some signs that your puppy needs a break:

If you feel uncomfortable during play, trust your instincts and press pause. It's better to be safe than sorry, and your puppy will thank you for it.

Dogs naturally play in pairs, so it's essential to prevent multiple dogs from ganging up on one dog during play.

This can happen even with a confident dog, who may lash out defensively when on the bottom of a wrestle pile.

A dog being chased by multiple dogs is a setup for their pack prey-drive instinct to kick in, which is a serious red flag.

Encourage your dog to play with a dog that matches their play style and energy.

Redirect their attention immediately if they start ganging up on another dog, to prevent things from escalating.

If your dog can't seem to leave another dog or dogs alone, it's best to leave the dog park and try again later when there might be a better match.

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