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.

[@dogsexplained]

This is not a science study. This is a video introducing people to learning to read their dog- a very emotional topic! I believe that adding commentary like this helps people to understand and relate to behaviors. Not "anthropomorphizing" is unemotional and bad human relations. Life is emotion. I wouldn't want to live without it- and that from a person with a zoology degree!

[@suesbj]

Thank you for posting this! We recently became a multi dog family and I've been nervous that they were being too rough. I now know that they are doing everything you have said and are very happy to do so! I definitely separate them anytime they go over the top (labs seem to do that!), but it seems as if they are normal happy dogs!

[@clairemcgill6184]

Thanks for this video - I thought my dog was being aggressive to other dogs by rolling them over and biting the collar, you've put my mind at rest, thanks :-)

[@cgazmommyof3]

Thanks for putting this together!

[@maryvw]

Great video! Excellent play examples and commentary. Thanks for sharing !

[@angel_machariel]

Very good narration. Thanks for the upload. I Learned a ton.

[@supernaturalbc2008]

@suesbj Glad it was helpful. It can be scary if you've never seen dogs play. As long as its even and they are both having fun, that's the key! I've heard some pretty hard thumps from dog's chests as they throw themselves to the ground in play, yet they get right back up to play some more! LOL! Donna

[@dogsexplained]

Thanks! Here goes: All spayed/neutered except the cocker pup who was just going into heat Jessie b/t mix: 2-3 yrs f Sadie Am Cocker 6.5 mo f Temba Shih Tzu mix 2.5 yrs m Sage beagle 3 yo f Chloe Boxer mix 4.5yo f Cedar GR 11.5 yrs f Simba BC 13.5 yrs f What is interesting, that for a reactive dog, Jessie is also able to get 5-6 year old dogs to play who normally don't like playing with other dogs! A couple of these can also be reactive dogs with other dogs.

[@dogsexplained]

The best thing to do is to select other dogs she will feel comfortable to play with by watching them interact with other dogs first. If they use a play style she won't like, pass on letting them interact. This will help her rebuild confidence and over time, you can see how she does with dogs that use other play styles.

[@Maiseexi]

this video is SOOO helpful! i took my 4 month old puppy to the dog park for the first time today and I though it was figthing with the other dogs when it was just playing. whew!

[@dogsexplained]

@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.

[@TimpanistMoth_AyKayEll]

This is wonderful, Donna!! I really like your narration - simple and clear, easy to understand for novices, and you point out all the most important features that tell us it's appropriate play. I would love to see a full-length DVD like this, showing longer sequences, multiple dog play etc. Oh, btw, could you share the various dogs' ages and reproductive status?

[@carolhall7293]

Brilliant video. My 2 dogs recently had another 3 temporary residents move in for a few months. As a result my ridgeback now lives with 4 small dogs, with the adult temporary resident being really uncomfortable with his size meaning if we walk together, we have to alternate between Poppy and Neo being off lead. We split the dogs into owner groups at home but we have had to remove all collars for safety. I will not use slip leads with any dog due to safety worries, but do you have any suggestions for the need to quickly prevent access to visitors, especially for my small blind dog, we would previously have put a lead on him to prevent him getting to close to visitors and becoming scared (rescue dog)

[@TheMaineCoon1]

My dog is so enthusiastic of other dogs that he barks! A lot..... He is so playful, he never gets enough of playing :D

[@TheMaineCoon1]

And he mainly plays with paws..

[@QuaziHoque]

This video was very helpful for me. I have a 48 pound border collie mix. I always keep a close eye on my dog during dog park sessions, particularly to make sure she's taking turns. Occasionally she will start playing with a dog much smaller than her and dominate. After 2 or 3 times with her on top, I usually pull her off and have her cool off and try again and if she repeats it I'll take her to the smaller pen for a time out. Question for those reading, should all play sessions with another dog be initiated with a play bow?

[@TREEHUGGAH1]

they sure are beautiful and fun to watch.

[@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.

[@KathCharlton]

Interesting to watch. Thankyou. My dog inca plays with all her friends differently. She particularly loves pulling her best bud Barney our big black lab about with his collar. It isnt an accidental move it is an intentional action. I think Inca is actually the only dog Barney really plays with...hw was never a big player when out and about, though he enjoys a good run around the field with the collie crosses chasing him:))

[@Katherine3921]

Thanks for replying! She's meeting my brothers 5 month old puppy this weekend, she generally likes puppies. They are the only ones she allows to put paws on her and she plays really gently with them. Hopefully that will help.

[@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...)

[@dogsexplained]

Does your dog place nicely with other dogs? Dog Play Techniques Dog Body Language featuring Jessie & her buddies

[@tessfrocnsifaskj5817]

Actually, recent studies have shown that 50-50 play is not necessarily best. Many dogs enjoy either being the dominant, and doing the fake attacking, or being the submissive, and receiving the attacking. They provided examples of dogs who wouldn't play with dogs who wouldn't "attack" them. It was very enlightening. You may want to add a note about non 50-50 play, because it is certainly okay and normal as long as both dogs want to participate (tug on collar if restrained from other dog.)

[@Katherine3921]

My dog was very well socialized since she was 3 months old (that's when I got her from the shelter) but I think about a year ago (she's almost 7) attacked her at the dog park. He grabbed the ball out of her mouth and she gave a little bark he just attacked. Lately a lot of dogs have been bullying her or it seems that way and she now doesn't like when dogs put their paws on her and she's wary of playing with them. Don't know what to do to help her.

[@tessfrocnsifaskj5817]

Is Jesse a GSD mix? Perhaps with a Rottie? My sister's dog is a GSD Rottie mix and looks somewhat similar. They are both adorable also. My sister has another dog as well; a miniature dachshund. The 100lbs. GSD Rott mix must self handicap in order to make sure not to hurt his 6 lbs. sister. He lays on his back and only uses paws and head to play, frequently putting her whole head in his mouth. It is a good example of play with significant size difference. Perhaps you could add yours doing this?

[@pacificprospector]

Very interesting video of dog interaction. I suspect anyone with knowledge of emotional intelligence and human/animal behaviour would agree with your interpretations.

[@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.

[@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?

[@RockBottomAgility14]

I just got a new puppy who LOVES to play, but my 1 year old Boxer mix, who also loves to play, is always hovering over him and mouthing his head, neck, or back. He doesn't actually bite or try to hurt the puppy, but they haven't really played together. Is this normal, or should I be stopping it? If so, how? We also have a 6 year old Lab mix who is very 'grumpy' around some dogs, she'll snap if a dog just walks in front of her, and isn't fond of playing unless she feels like it.

[@traceysouth1047]

here is why I enjoyed it: first it is exactly how my dog and others play at the dog park. I just wish you'd have spoken louder ! very hard to hear with volumn up. I had done lots of reading before I let my dog play with others like this. (b/c of my own fears and not knowing what is play and what is not) I can safely this video rings true. But reading and watching are different so I really appreciate it ! for the record, grabbing each other with open mouths is not a sign of aggression usually.

[@CharlieFickleBerry]

Hahaha my ShihTzu/Maltese mix and I take turns with playing the "chase me" game - loads of fun because she wont play that game with other dogs ( much prefers mouth sparring with other dogs no matter their size with jowl pulling and a few other things mentioned in this nifty video)

[@EquitationHiatus]

I guess my dog just wasn't socialized enough as a pup; in my neighborhood my 12 in tall 17lb cocker-bichon-poodle mix will run up to other dogs, stare them in the face, and fight to draw blood. Usually the other dogs make the first move. In the park, she runs up exactly the same, but then flips over to her back to show her belly and let dogs sniff. I'm thinking both my dog and the neighborhood dogs are territorial? Only my neighbor's well-trained Boxer will not respond aggressively to her.

[@dogsexplained]

@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.

[@dogsexplained]

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

[@dogsexplained]

@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.

[@dogsexplained]

Yes, probably not socialized enough and is fearful so it shows up as leash reactivity, also known as leash aggression. She feels that she can't get away so goes on the offence. Off leash she can escape she offers a more appropriate behavior, although this belly up behavior can trigger some dogs too, depending on how it's done and the trigger of the other dog. Not likely anything to do with being territorial.

[@dogsexplained]

Does your dog play fair? Dog Play Techniques Dog Body Language featuring Jessie & her buddies

[@ctdogs1bc]

I'm curious. Why the use of the term "fair"? I would think it would be more accurate to say that a dog plays in such a way so as to encourage more play or to discourage further play. No?

[@cdwDogWalkers]

i don't think it's a clear cut as that. This is a good video for the less experienced to understand when they *(the human) should intervene. If play is not consensual, the dog who doesn't want to play may not be able to get away or the dog playing too rough may not stop no matter how much the other dog signals that "no i don't like this plz leave me alone". Left to their own devices one dog could be injured whether physically or psychologically. This vid demonstrates when play is "fair" so no need to intervene. "Fair" meaning consensual and evenly matched and welcome by both dogs. I'm not the poster of course but that would be my interpretation of the term "fair" in this context.

[@dogsexplained]

@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.

[@dogsexplained]

In addition, science is subjective any way you look at it. Studies have shown that the outcome of a study is affected by the expectations of the person/people who are doing the study.

[@angel_machariel]

Because doggies are more fun than computer game cheat engines.

[@tessfrocnsifaskj5817]

That's silly, my Labrador Retriever and her friends played hard, and loved to grab each others necks, and heads. I never saw her play with a dog for any really period without mouthing. Dog play stems from wolf pup play which is used to hone hunting skills in a safe environment. Their mouths are their main weapon, it's would be crazy not to use it when practicing hunting.

[@peregoyb]

I would take the subjective assumptions out of the description - "uses her shoulder to get her to move over", "a brief break to calm things down" "plays gently so Jesse adjusts her enthusiasm" - there's no way to know why the dogs do specific moves, we can only comment on what happens before and after, topographically, and use that as predictions of possible future behaviors. Making assumptions can lead to bad science. And often lead to anthropomorphizing and inappropriate human response.

[@fosterfuchs]

Our two pups love to wrestle with each other every day. Our Sasha really reminds me of your Jessie. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYCpZpKYr6-dmaM