correct dog play

[sn33195]

I am curious about good doggie play. When our NAID plays with our TRD she always puts her mouth around the top of his neck. He plays fine with her like that most of the time. I try not to let her do it too much during there play time cause I think he gets annoyed at it. And he will sometimes jump up on her and try to mouth her back whether he's doing it from the side or back. She is fine with that and doesn't get pissed. But sometimes it bothers me to see her always put her mouth on his neck. Is she doing this to dominate him or is it just normal play? She doesn't have a dominate personality. He does though. Earl was at the house when we first got the TRD and watched them play and she did it then too. He said it was normal. But is it normal for her to still do it?

[Mike D'Abruzzo]

A lot of play is similar to children play - lots of role playing. So you will see fake fighting, hunting, kill behavior, etc.. I would say it is all normal and Slate will let her know if he doesn't like it. Mounting behavior is a classic example. I have had a client leave puppy class because they were discusted with the dogs mounting each other, but it is obviously normal interaction to the dogs during play and other social interaction which usually has nothing to do with sexual intercourse...just like Cheyenne obviously isnt trying to kill Slate. Elu does this all the time to Dawson when they play too.

[sn33195]

I guess the play fight thing would be like when they both have there mouths wide open, facing eachother and making noises while doing this. They do that alot too. Sometimes Slate will get pissed and start growling at her and sometimes they just stop. I just hate that all of a sudden Slate will get pissed and Cheyenne doesn't listen to him or won't let him tell her what to do I guess. There really good most of the time.

[ChrisNJudy]

Hey guys! How have you been? How are the dogs doing?
Have you noticed any trend when slate snaps at her? Toys around, food or even maybe he is resource guarding on of you two. Pay attention when happens, maybe it something that you can pin point to avoid problems ib the future.
Well I hope all is well!
Thanks
Chris