Dog Play Techniques Dog Body Language featuring Jessie & her buddies

This video looks at what is normal play for dogs. Many typical behaviors are shown, along with some practical advice. Not only does play provide mental and physical exercise, it also teaches other dogs how to be social with other dogs and helps them develop self control.

There should always be give and take between the dogs. If the balance between dogs is off (tto much enthusiasm, one dog doing all the initiating etc) , the humans may need to step in to redirect or remove one dog to prevent bullying.
It is sadi that 20 min of dog play is equal to a brisk one hour leashed walk.

A geat book to leanr about dog communication signals is "On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals" by Turid Rugaas, a little book with pictures of 30 dog behaviors.

You also get to see my previous two dogs (ESSmix and GR) and another family dog (BC) that grew up with them. All three dogs are now at the Rainbow Bridge.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Dog
• Play
• Techniques
• normal
• social
• canine
• behavior
• exercise
• 'tiring
• out
• dog'
• Jessie
• body
• language
• exercising
• dogs

[mircha69]

my dog never grabs another dog with his mouth during play like your dogs do ( the jowl grab and other grabs i saw there ) I don't think that many ppl would let their dogs play with a dog that's so mouthy in play. I don't really agree with some stuff you say there , but i appreciate your work and I think you give good advice.

[supernaturalbc2009]

@mircha69 There are individual tendencies in dog play. The whole point of the video is for people to be aware of them and know they are 'normal' for your dog. Different breeds play differently. For example, some dogs love the full on chest butts, while others prefer to share a toy with no physical contact. When you have a good match, you have a good match. When you don't, find other buddies with the same techniques.

[karete357]

hi i got a question my 10yrd old male tzu is kinda grumpy playing with my 4 month old male bull terrier. the puppy always wants to play with the tzu but when i take the puppy off the leash he lunges at the tzu and tries the "chest butting" but the tzu just retreats and "snarls and growls" but the puppy doesn't. Do i stop the play when the puppy starts to growl and seems to show its power to the tzu? What should be my q to stop the play before it escalates into fight?

[supernaturalbc2009]

@karete357 You need to read you dogs. Even before the adult starts growling, he likely will be doing other behaviours like hard stare, standing stiffly etc. All these indicate he is at his limit. If the puppy ignores him, given that he is and soon will be larger than the adult, I would intervene before the adult feels necessary to snap or lunge at pup. I use "enough" and separate the puppy to calm down. Your adult dog may need a place where he can get away from puppy.

[karete357]

@supernaturalbc2009 well even before the puppy comes near the adult does the stiff stair,growls and when the puppy (while wagging tail even with playful bow) jumps to play with the adult snarling snapping and more growling from the adult. It seems like the adult has no patience at all at playing. This dog grew up not very sociable with other dogs. Is that the main issue? Should i just separate them 2? The adult is free roam in the house while the puppy is tied near his crate we have small house.

[supernaturalbc2009]

@karete357 It does sound like fear/lack of socialization. Might be better to have your puppy interact with sociable adults and curtail his interaction with your adult. To be sure, I recommend finding a positive trainer in your area for some help. This will be hard on your adult as the pup will be getting bigger and bigger and will need to develop his self control around adult dogs. Make sure he space that is his own to retire from pup.

[Rosanna6250]

Hi, I just got a 8 week GSD and it's nice to see that what she does with my 7 year old Corgi is normal. I've never had more than one dog before. Thankfully the corgi is very tolerant. I was afraid someone would get hurt in the roughhousing.

[mihakeeper1]

Nice video. I'm just wondering if Jessie is a mixed Beauceron. I have one and she favors the same playing technique (still working on her "attitude" though, cause she can be a bully sometimes...)

[supernaturalbc2009]

@supernaturalbc2009 In the meantime, I'd intervene so the dog can't practice it and your pup won't get hurt.

[supernaturalbc2009]

@RockBottomAgility14 I'd talk to a local positive trainer and get their take on it. It depends on the size of the puppy, the puppy's response, the intensity of the behaviour , history of your dog etc.