It's hard to resist a happy dog bounding over to you when you're out on a walk, but I often see overenthusiastic dogs bulldoze their fellow canine companions and play in inappropriate ways. Unintentionally, this almost always leads to an unpleasant confrontation, which can lead to future problems such as dog reactivity and increased lead pulling. Quite often, these instances are totally avoidable. By keeping an eye out for not only your dog but also others approaching yours to manage the situation, you can make walks a much more pleasant experience for everyone. So what are the things to watch out for? Here are some of the cues that you can easily spot to ensure playtime remains positive.
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Relaxed Body Language
Relaxed Body Language
Positive play is characterised by wide, relaxed mouths and soft eyes. The absence of bared teeth is also a good sign. These behaviours indicate that the dogs are feeling happy and playful, rather than aggressive or anxious.
Balanced Roles
Balanced Roles
In positive play, each dog will spend an equal amount of time being both underneath and on top. This demonstrates that the play is fair and that neither dog is feeling threatened or dominated.
Regular Breaks
Regular Breaks
During positive play, dogs will take regular breaks to sniff and drink. This indicates that the play is not overly intense and that the dogs are feeling comfortable and relaxed.
It's an outdated idea to just let your dogs "get on with it" or have your older dogs "teach a lesson" to smaller, more vulnerable dogs. This often results in many of the behavioral cases I see. Being proactive rather than reactive can mean walks are something to look forward to for all.
If you have questions or need advice on positive play, please don't hesitate to contact me.
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