It is important to be able to recognise safe and unsafe play in canines. If you overlook certain behaviours, situations can escalate and result in either dog becoming hurt.
Good play behaviour in canines includes play bows. This is a dog’s best way to show they are being friendly, as they are inviting the other dog to play with them.
This usually results in dogs chasing each other around. If the dogs are taking turns chasing each other, this is healthy, however if you see one dog doing all the chasing, you will need to intervene as it could escalate.
Sometimes when dogs are chasing each other they may slip into predatory mode. This means that it is no longer a game and the dog who is being chased usually ends up getting hurt. This is why it is important to keep an eye on dogs who are playing, and stop play before it gets too rough.
Do not be afraid to ask the owner of the other dog to put theirs on a lead or call them back if you see things escalating.
There have been a couple of times when Rosie has been playing with a dog in a park, but after a while the other dog kept trying to nip her when she was trying to come to me.
In this instance, I went over to get Rosie and de-escalate the situation.
Interrupt play often to ensure it does not escalate. Put the safety of all dogs first!
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