Inappropriate Play In Dogs
As a dog trainer, I spend a lot of time with my clients unpicking what their dogs are trying to communicate. Generally, we are nowhere near as good at understanding dogs as they are at understanding us. They can read our faces, emotions and even understand some of our language. However, dogs don’t have their own language so instead, they use their bodies to communicate what they want to say. So often, we miss vital signs that our dogs are uncomfortable, overwhelmed or about to make a bad decision.
Understanding our dogs’ body language is perhaps most important when they’re playing with other pooches as after all, dog play is mock battle and can go badly wrong. We need to keep our eyes peeled for ‘red flag’ behaviours that indicate play is becoming too rude and escalating.
These red flag behaviours include:
- Uninvited body contact. A dog may constantly be in another dog’s face or bottom.
- Scent marking. Play should be stopped if this is observed as this is an indication of high arousal, stress, nervousness, discomfort or fearfulness. Simply pausing play is not enough because once the dog returns, they will still be over threshold.
- T-shaping. This is when a dog puts it head over another dog’s head, neck or shoulder area, which can be threatening. The dog underneath will often respond with a snap; dogs shouldn’t be allowed to t-shape unfamiliar dogs.
- Mounting. If this occurs, play should be stopped; dogs mount when they are overexcited and aroused or because they are stressed, fearful or uncomfortable. It may also be a coping mechanism for some dogs.
- Body slamming. This boisterous, rough play is when a dog runs and slams into another. If a dog is doing this, then they are more than likely at their threshold level. If a dog is slammed into, then it may have an effect on them for a number of days.
- Uneven play. Dogs should be balanced in their interactions. For example, if dogs are chasing each other, we don’t want to see one dog constantly being chased.
Further red flag behaviours include focused bites/neck biting, deep growls with bared teeth, pinning and barking in the face of another dog.
These behaviours do not always mean that play needs to stop but we should be seeing green flag behaviours outweighing the red flag ones. Click here to read more about green flag behaviours.
If you would like to find out more about your dog’s body language then click here to drop me a message.
