Dog Play Behavior: Are they fighting or playing?
October 18, 2008
“What is dog play all about?” This is one of those comments I hear from various folks…and often get questions about. Both in and out of my dog training classes here in Ventura and Santa Barbara – especially when folks first start bringing their dogs to our dog socials.
Humans commonly assume when dogs “hump” or “mount” is automatically means it’s of a sexual nature. This isn’t always the case, and more often than not isn’t the case. These are just a few dog training tips on what dog-play really is.
Dog play is practicing of “the four F’s” – meaning, if they had to survive out in the wild so they could pass on their genes – surviving, hunting for food, creating more of themselves in order to pass on their genetics (cause that’s what it’s all about, right) – survival of the fittest so you can pass along your DNA… This is the list of the four F’s:
- “Fight” – dog play can get really rough – think two young human male children playing and wrestling about – With dogs it’s: I mouth you (practice biting, but inhibited bites in play), you mouth me, I pin you, you pin me etc…
- “Flight” – I chase you, you chase me
- “Feed” – meaning all the steps of the predatory sequence, including the “alert”, stalk, chase, “grab-shake-kill” – etc…
- “Fun!” (fornicating etc…) – I mount you, you mount me… Unless both dogs (one male one female) are actually intending to breed in order to make more of themselves, then the whole humping action is just play! That’s why you see males humping males, females humping females, females on males, dogs on humans etc…and humping in positions that are not related at all to actually “doing the deed”…Note: if a dog is given attention when he or she “humps” then he or she is more likely to do that again in the future. Lets not forget Thorndike’s law of learning.
It’s important that dogs learn what acceptable dog play is, and what is appropriate – that is what dog social time is for!!! Yes, we can give the dog a “time out” if we don’t like something… but dogs (really important for puppies especially) are learning about what play is – and doggy DNA is telling them to “hump” – most likely trying to get the other “animal” to play… If humans don’t like it, the best thing to do is completely walk away and ignore the dog completely, but throw a party and play like crazy when he or she is playing the way you want… Older, well socialized dogs, who have great play skills can help “guide” younger pups…the older one will “tell him” (growl or a snap) to knock it off if he or she has gone too far.
A BIG note of importance: DOG PLAY SHOULD BE RECIPROCAL and CONSENSUAL! Sure, for some dogs they’d rather be the chasee vs the chaser. How to tell? Look at the one being chased – are they running off and trying to hide the entire time? Cowering under things? Trying to find their guardian? Or are they egging the chaser on? “Come on! Chase me!!”
A great “test” is to restrain (gently) the one who is chasing or pinning and then look at the behavior of the one you think is being harassed. If the latter stops, looks at you as if he or she is saying “What’s up? Why’d you stop us from playing?” then that’s a great indicator that the play session was consensual. If on the other hand the harassee looks relieved, then it’s safe to bet that interrupting was a good idea. You’ll know to take steps in helping dogs develop good play skills.
Providing opportunities for our dogs to socialize and play is very important for their well being, and development as well-mannered canines – training classes and socials that practice reward-based, humane techniques can help provide them. You just want to keep an eye on the situation, making sure that play-time is safe and fun for everyone!
Pingback: Introducing a New Puppy to Your Older Dog Doesn't Have to Blow
My English bulldog has been very vocal in his play and he doesn’t back down. We got him at 8 weeks and figured my daughters 10 week old black lab was going to hurt him when they played. Right off the bat he stood up to him. They play rough but its consensual most off the time. We were worried about Napoleon complex but he’s not aggressive in anyway. We took Jim to puppy class and he did fine with dogs his size but when we went back for social time he was the smallest puppy there. He did okay until someone wanted to play and puthis paws on him. He went after him. Not sure if it was noise or fight or both. We were asked to leave. How can I teach him to play nice with others and play with his lab brother. At home if we think its getting too rough we say enough and try to distractthem but they’re like the energizer bunny and wont quit.Any suggestions would be helpful.
Thanks AnnMaeie
Hi AnnMarie,
Thanks so much for taking the time to write in – what a great question. Poncho and I appreciate your keen observational skills – bravo to you!
Our first suggestion is to make sure you’re rewarding both pups for playing nicely – meaning, during play use praise for sure. Secondly, you can lure both out of the play-circle with a treat, give them the treat, praise again, then allow them to resume play. This will help reinforce the behaviors you want while helping to teach them to interrupt play once in awhile.
Self-interruption is one of the normal elements of dog-play, so hopefully with time both pups will learn to do just that. In the meantime you can help using this process, but as you noticed, they need something a bit more motivating to want to stop. You’ll also want to do this before things get too heated up. You can use this training approach with other dogs who Jim wants to play with. Matching with play style is important, more so than age or size. Our domestic dogs will often find their perfect buddy, so allow Jim to make his own choices.
Lastly, taking him to an on-leash class where you can meet other dogs and their parents would be a nice way for Jim to be around other dogs, while keeping everyone safe.
Thanks again for writing in AnnMarie! Poncho and I wish you and Jim all the best for fun times together!
Hi there,
I have two small chihuahuas one is about seven and the other is one. The one year old is spayed and the older one is not. They play fight all the time but it always leads to humping or trying to lick each others genitals. Should I be concerned we usually break them up and they stop immedieatley. What are the consequences of having one spayed dog and one non spayed?
Thanks
Bianca
Hi there Bianca!
Great question – thank you for writing in. We appreciate inquisitive pet parents
Regarding your question as it relates to dog-play behaviors and being spayed or not, I would only be concerned if your un-spayed dog were playing with an intact male. Otherwise, I believe it would be safe to allow your dogs to play in the manner they’re inherently skilled in. If one is unhappy with how the other is behaving, they should be able to communicate as such. The times I would interrupt play is if and when 1) one is being a bully towards the other, and 2) if it’s starting to get too heated up and neither are self-interrupting. (Meaning, they stop on their own to take a breather!)
I realize to humans, the actions that make up dog play can be somewhat odd – and questionable from our point of view. But keep in mind that similar to humans, dogs (and other animals) are born with ritualized play-skills, therefore it’s up to us to understand it, and allow them to be who and what they are – then enjoy the show! It’s like having your own Animal Planet channel!
Happy training to you and your Chi’s!
PS: We invite you to join our Facebook Page so you can share pics and stories of you inquisitive canines!