Puppies are incredibly playful, and watching them interact with other puppies or older dogs can be a delightful experience. However, their play is not just about fun and games—it’s a critical part of their socialisation and learning. How they play shapes their behaviour and emotional regulation as they grow. Two key components to look for in healthy puppy play are balance and pauses. These elements help ensure that play remains safe, enjoyable, and educational, while also preventing bad habits from forming.
The Importance of Balance in Play
One of the most important aspects of healthy puppy play is balance. When puppies interact, especially with older dogs, there should be a fair exchange of roles. For example, both should take turns chasing, pinning, and wrestling. It’s crucial that one dog doesn’t command the entire play session by constantly chasing or pinning the other. If this happens, it can lead to frustration and anxiety for the other dog, and may eventually result in fear or aggression.
This balance is also important when larger dogs play with smaller puppies. The larger dog should adjust its behaviour to ensure the play is not too overwhelming for the smaller dog. This might mean being gentler in its movements or allowing the puppy to take the lead more often. In other words, dogs of different sizes and ages must “handicap” themselves during play to keep the experience fair and fun for all involved.
Research from the University of Bristol’s Animal Welfare and Behaviour team suggests that balanced play is vital for dogs’ development, helping them learn to communicate, set boundaries, and understand social cues in a safe environment. When puppies learn these early lessons, they grow into well-adjusted adult dogs that know how to interact with others appropriately. We want to be choosing playmates carefully for our puppies so that they learn the right lessons, don’t receive any overly harsh corrections but also do not form frustration/excitement based reactivity around other dogs as they move into adolescence.
The Role of Pauses in Play
The second key component of healthy play is pauses. Play should be punctuated by moments of rest or disengagement, where the dogs take a break, assess their energy levels, and check in with each other. These pauses are important for emotional regulation, allowing dogs to assess whether they are still enjoying the game or if their arousal levels are becoming too high. If there are no pauses in play, it may indicate that one or both dogs are becoming overstimulated. This can lead to a breakdown in play behaviour, and in some cases, may result in snapping, growling, or even an unwanted escalation to aggression.
Puppies, in particular, struggle with inserting their own pauses or respecting those of other dogs. As a result, it’s up to owners to monitor play and intervene if necessary. If you notice that the puppies are becoming overly excited without taking breaks, it’s a good idea to intervene. A simple way to break up a heightened play session is by scattering some food on the ground or using a distraction to redirect their attention. This gives both dogs the opportunity to calm down and reassess the situation.
The absence of pauses can signal rising arousal levels, which are often the precursor to bad choices. According to the Kennel Club, maintaining control of playtime is crucial in preventing undesirable behaviours. Puppies that are allowed to play without appropriate pauses may practise rude behaviours, like excessive biting or jumping, which can persist into adulthood.
Why We Don’t Want Puppies to Play Rudely
When puppies don’t learn to respect pauses or boundaries, they develop poor social habits. Puppies who constantly push other dogs to continue playing when they need a break might learn that it’s acceptable to invade others’ space or push limits inappropriately. This kind of rude behaviour can be difficult to unteach as the puppy grows older, which is why it’s important to intervene early.
By encouraging balanced play and ensuring that pauses are respected, owners can help their puppies develop good manners and self-control. Puppies that learn to respect others’ boundaries and insert their own pauses are more likely to grow into well-behaved dogs who can navigate social interactions with confidence and grace.
Puppy play is not just about entertainment—it’s an essential part of their development. Ensuring that play is balanced and includes regular pauses will help puppies develop good social skills and emotional regulation. Whether puppies are playing with each other or interacting with older dogs, observing and guiding their play is crucial. As responsible pet owners, it’s our job to monitor these interactions, step in when necessary, and provide guidance to ensure that puppies don’t practise bad habits. With balanced play and respect for pauses, puppies can grow into well-adjusted adults who know how to interact with others appropriately.
If you are interested in learning more about healthy dog communication and play, check out my Instagram page, where I have created a number of reels breaking down dog body language and communication.
References:
- University of Bristol, Animal Welfare and Behaviour Research Group. (n.d.). Dog socialisation and play. Retrieved from www.bristol.ac.uk
- The Kennel Club. (2020). Puppy playtime and socialisation. Retrieved from www.thekennelclub.org.uk
