Playground Politics

One of my favorite pastimes is to watch dogs play. I have to laugh when I see a group of dogs get together because it reminds me of when I was a child playing in the schoolyard. Most everyone has seen or been a child in a play yard and can remembers the different personalities they experienced. For dogs it is important for them to socialize with each other to help maintain overall mental and physical health.  It is always a good idea to ask the dog’s human companion if their dog is friendly before unleashing them into uncontrolled interaction.  With unsupervised play you run the risk of dogs not getting along and not knowing how or why a fight started.

The following information will hopefully help you better understand the basics of what you see when dogs interact.

The Bully:

Child- Loves to pick on everyone else and has no real friends. Thinks he’s cool but really the only ones that play with him do it because their scared

Dog- tries to overpower the other dogs and even if he plays a little he often ends up fighting if the other dog gets too excited

The Peacemaker:

Child-Tries to make everyone ok after they argue

Dog-May try to lick the other dogs face especially after a tiff.  Will put head and body lower than the other dogs and may belly crawl with tail wagging low. No aggression just trying to make up but will stay low and shy to protect themselves from any unwanted advances.

The Fun Kid:

Child -Loves everyone and gets along with just about everybody. Very fun and energetic.

Dog- Will try and play with every other dog no matter the size. Friendly and happy with playful advances of head and tail up and wagging. Even if one dog gets grumpy they usually keep positive and run to find someone else to play with.

The Loner:

Child – Doesn’t want to play with anyone and not happy to be there. May start a fight if someone approaches just to be left alone

Dog- generally won’t approach other dogs and fur on the back and neck may go up to warn others to stay away. May also hide if he can.

The LOUD One:

Child- The one you can always hear before reaching the playground. They are yelling to and at other kids and are generally just noisy.

Dog- Barks at all the other dogs. Doesn’t necessarily mean there is any anger or fear, it’s just the way the dog is choosing to communicate.

To further understand and illustrate your dog’s behavior, please look at the attached pictures sharing the body language of dogs.

Watching and learning about how your dog plays can allow them to safely interact with other dogs and then the fun begins!

1. Relaxed Approachable

This dog is relaxed and reasonably content. Such a dog is unconcerned and unthreatened by any activities going on in his immediate environment and is usually approachable.

2. Alert- Checking Things Out

If the dog has detected something of interest, or something unknown, these signals communicate that he is now alert and paying attention while he is assessing the situation to determine if there is any threat or if any action should be taken.

3. Dominant Aggressive

This is a very dominant and confident animal. Here he is not only expressing his social dominance, but is also threatening that he will act aggressively if he is challenged.

4. Fearful and Aggressive

This dog is frightened but is not submissive and may attack if pressed. A dog will generally give these signals when he is directly facing the individual who is threatening him.

5. Stressed and Distressed

This dog is under either social or environmental stress. These signals, however, are a general “broadcast” of his state of mind and are not being specifically addressed to any other individual.

6. Fearful and Worried

This dog is somewhat fearful and is offering signs of submission. These signals are designed to pacify the individual who is of higher social status or whom the dog sees as potentially threatening, in order to avoid any further challenges and prevent conflict.

7. Extreme Fear- Total Submission

This dog is indicating total surrender and submission. He is trying to say that he accepts his lower status by groveling before a higher ranking or threatening individual in the hopes of avoiding a physical confrontation.

8. Playfulness

Here we have the basic invitation to play. It may be accompanied by excited barking or playful attacks and retreats. This set of signals may be used as a sort of “punctuation mark” to indicate that any previous rough behaviour was not meant as a threat or challenge.

http://www.moderndogmagazine.com/articles/how-read-your-dogs-body-language/415

Can you tell in the video below which dog is in control of the play? Which one is dominant?

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