Recognizing an Interaction as Healthy Play
As a professional dog trainer, overseeing puppy play sessions is a routine part of my job. While it can be super cute and lot of fun, it’s important that I know when to intervene in order to keep the play fun and safe. Sometimes it’s not so easy to tell when a play session is going wrong, because the signs are often subtle.
When dogs play they sometimes get very physical. They might chase each other, wrestle, and put their teeth on each other. Sometimes they even growl and snarl at each other. Since these behaviors are also common in dog conflict, it can be difficult to determine whether or not an interaction is playful and healthy. But if you know what you’re looking for, it’s a lot easier!
To see a video of a healthy dog play session with my commentary, click here.
Below is the information I think will be the most useful to anyone overseeing dog play sessions in a professional or personal setting.
Metasignals
Dogs that are playing give each other visual cues that signal the interaction is playful, even though they are engaging in behavior that might otherwise seem threatening. These visual cues are a type of meta-communication, meaning their presence changes the interpretation of other behaviors the dogs are exhibiting.
This is similar to visual cues people use to communicate sarcasm. For example, if someone says “That’s really mature” with no other context, you would take them literally. But, if they were to roll their eyes as they said it, you would infer that they are being sarcastic and actually mean the opposite. This is meta-communication.
The visual cues dogs use as meta-communication during play are often referred to as “metasignals.” Since dogs use metasignals to differentiate between playful and threatening interactions, we can too.
Metasignals should be given continuously throughout an interaction. If the metasignals stop, the interaction might be headed for conflict.
Play Bow
Most dog owners probably know what a play bow looks like. The dog lowers the front of her body by bending her front legs. Sometimes a play bow is a very obvious gesture, while other times it’s more subtle.
Play bows are metasignals, but it’s important to note that not all bows are play bows. Dogs sometimes use the position to prepare for the next move in a conflict. Therefore, you have to look at other context clues to determine whether or not a bow is a play bow.
Play Bow
Most dog owners probably know what a play bow looks like. The dog lowers the front of her body by bending her front legs. Sometimes a play bow is a very obvious gesture, while other times it’s more subtle.
Play bows are metasignals, but it’s important to note that not all bows are play bows. Dogs sometimes use the position to prepare for the next move in a conflict. Therefore, you have to look at other context clues to determine whether or not a bow is a play bow.
Feint and Parry
Play bows are often seen during feint and parries, another common metasignal. A feint and parry is a lunging forward and then leaping away movement. Sometimes the lunging forward involves physical contact with the other dog, and other times the dogs maintain space during feint and parries.
Below are two examples of feint and parries.
Jaw Sparring
As mentioned before, dogs sometimes put their teeth on each other when they play. If the dogs are using soft, controlled jaws without biting down, they are jaw sparring, another metasignal. Jaw sparring requires that the dogs have good bite inhibition, meaning they can control their bite pressure even in an excited state. Jaw sparring often involves side-to-side head movements, which emphasizes the playfulness of the behavior. Conversely, dogs that are fighting use direct lunging movements that are designed to cause serious damage.
Rocking Horse Gait
Another metasignal is rocking horse gait, which looks like it sounds. The dog runs in a bouncy way that resembles the movements of a rocking horse. A dog exhibiting rocking horse gait is not attempting to move efficiently.
Above is an example of rocking horse gait
Loose, Bouncy, Inefficient, and Indirect Movement
In general, movements that are loose, bouncy, inefficient, and/or indirect, like the feint and parry, the rocking horse gait, and jaw sparring with side-to-side head movements are metasignals. Dogs often curve their bodies when they play and approach each other from an angle rather than facing each other directly with their bodies behind them. This behavior is referred to as having curved body lines.
My dog, Bella, sometimes performs a silly turn, which is a perfect example of loose, inefficient movement that would never be seen in a fight. Dogs that are fighting are more stiff, balanced, efficient, and direct with their movements.
Other Signs of Play
Now that I have described some behaviors commonly referred to as metasignals, I will point out other behaviors that are signs of healthy play. These behaviors aren’t called metasignals because they aren’t necessarily designed to communicate playful intentions. They are simply behaviors you are likely to see in healthy play.
Willing Participants
An important sign of play is that both dogs are willing participants, with neither dog making vain attempts to end the interaction. This one is particularly important, because a dog that doesn’t want to play or doesn’t like the way the other dog is playing will likely show defensive aggression if the other dog won’t leave her alone.
If you are unsure whether one of the dogs is a willing participant, you can pull the other dog away. If the dog you were unsure about approaches the other dog with playful body language, then the interaction was probably mutual play and you can let it continue. If the dog you were unsure about walks away, she might need a break and you should probably separate them for a bit. If the dog you are unsure about approaches the other dog with aggressive body language, then you definitely need to separate them.
Freedom of Movement
Another sign of healthy play is that both dogs are free to move. Pinning, when one dog keeps another on the ground using physical force, is not polite behavior.
Space
If the dogs are giving each other space, they aren’t fighting and aren’t likely to start fighting. Some dogs are more comfortable with less space than other dogs, so the dogs’ individual play styles and their familiarity levels should also be taken into account (see below for more details on play style and familiarity).
Breaks
It’s also a good sign if the dogs take breaks during the interaction. Play is often a very exciting activity for dogs. If excitement levels get too high, the dogs are more likely to shift from play to conflict. Breaks help keep excitement levels from rising too much.
Shifting Demeanor or Role Reversal
Dogs exhibiting shifting demeanor (also called role reversal) are essentially taking turns. During a game of chase, one dog is doing the chasing and then they switch. During a wresting interaction, one dog is on top and then they switch. Shifting demeanor keeps the interaction fun for both dogs and indicates that the dogs are playing in a healthy way.
Self-handicapping
If the dogs differ in size, self-handicapping is another sign of healthy play. Self-handicapping occurs when the larger dog purposefully plays gently, using less of her strength than she otherwise might. In other words, the larger dog “pulls her punches.”
The larger dog may also self-handicap by voluntarily going to the ground. This behavior allows the smaller dog to be on top, which otherwise wouldn’t be possible. If the dogs differ in size greatly, such as a Great Dane playing with a Yorkie, then self-handicapping is necessary to keep play safe and fun for both dogs.
Lexi, the brown dog, is interacting with a smaller dog in this video and voluntarily going to the ground. This self-handicapping is a sign that the interaction is healthy play.
Behaviors Seen in Play that Can Go Either Way
Freeze
It is common to see dogs freeze in the middle of play. During a freeze, both dogs stop moving completely, sometimes for less than a second and sometimes for much longer. Interestingly, freezes can precede either play or aggression. Body language and other context clues can help you figure out which type of freeze you are seeing. For example, if a dog exhibiting hard eyes and facial tension freezes as another dog approaches her food bowl, the freeze will likely be followed by aggression. On the other hand, if two dogs that know each other well freeze during play with relaxed facial features, the freeze will likely be followed by more play.
Paw Lift
When a dog lifts one paw off the ground, she is displaying a paw lift. Depending on the accompanying body language, paw lifts can signal submissiveness or aggressiveness. For example, if a dog with soft eyes and a lowered body performs a paw lift while leaning away, the dog is signaling submissiveness. On the other hand, if a dog with hard eyes and a tense body performs a paw lift while growling, the dog is signaling a threat.
The white dog is performing a paw lift. From this picture, it’s unclear whether this paw lift is submissive or aggressive. Either way, it’s probably a response to the direct eye contact — a possible threat display — exhibited by the dog on the left.
Potentially Rude Behaviors
Some dogs get very physical during play interactions and perform behaviors that other dogs might consider rude or even aggressive. Although some of these behaviors might be intended playfully, any of them could lead to conflict during a play interaction. On the other hand, some dogs may be more willing to put up with these behaviors than others. If you see these potentially rude behaviors from a dog during play, you should monitor the other dog’s reaction. If the other dog doesn’t seem to like it, they should be separated.
Body Slamming
A dog purposefully bumping into another dog (or person) is performing a rude behavior called body slamming. This is similar to one person shoving another. Although it might be intended playfully, it is an aggressive behavior to which some dogs react badly.
Muzzle Punching
A dog shoving her nose into the body of another dog (or person) is muzzle punching. This is similar to one person roughly poking another. Like body slamming, muzzle punching might be intended playfully but some dogs do not tolerate it well.
Butt Sniffing
Dogs commonly sniff each other’s butts and genitals upon greeting. This behavior is friendly and usually tolerated well as long as the dog doesn’t push her nose into the other dog too hard or sniff for too long. Some dogs will not take kindly to this kind of rude sniffing, and it can lead to conflict.
Below are examples of both polite and rude sniffing.
In the picture on the right, Bella, the smaller dog, is putting up with the rude sniffing. Perhaps this is because her focus is on me, the picture taker. If the rude behavior continues, Bella will likely start showing her displeasure.
Chin Over
When a dog positions her head over the shoulders of another dog, she is performing a chin over. A chin over may be intended to assert dominance, but it can also be playful or even a sign the dog wants to mate. Some dogs react poorly to chin overs, so this behavior can sometimes lead to conflict.
Paw Over
When a dog puts her paw over top of another dog, she is performing a paw over. Like a chin over, a paw over may be intended to assert dominance, but it can also be playful. Some dogs do not tolerate paw overs, so this behavior can sometimes lead to conflict.
Paw Over
When a dog puts her paw over top of another dog, she is performing a paw over. Like a chin over, a paw over may be intended to assert dominance, but it can also be playful. Some dogs do not tolerate paw overs, so this behavior can sometimes lead to conflict.
Standing Tall
A dog that is standing tall is propped up on her toes with all four paws on the ground, her legs completely straight, and her head held high. Often, a dog’s tail is lifted up when she is standing tall. Standing tall is an assertive move that indicates the dog’s desired dominant status, and it can also be a threat. If the other dog reacts submissively, the interaction will likely remain peaceful. If the other dog reacts assertively, perhaps by also standing tall, the dogs should be separated.
Height Seeking
Height seeking refers to a dog’s attempts to be higher than another dog (or person) by rearing up on hind legs, jumping up, or getting on top of an object. Height seeking is an assertive move that indicates the dog’s desired dominant status, and it can also be a threat. When two dogs are jumping into the air and bumping into each other, they are both exhibiting height seeking behavior and should be separated in order to avoid a fight.
Height Seeking
Height seeking refers to a dog’s attempts to be higher than another dog (or person) by rearing up on hind legs, jumping up, or getting on top of an object. Height seeking is an assertive move that indicates the dog’s desired dominant status, and it can also be a threat. When two dogs are jumping into the air and bumping into each other, they are both exhibiting height seeking behavior and should be separated in order to avoid a fight.
Humping
Dogs of both genders may engage in humping. While the behavior is sometimes performed as a sexual advance, dogs also hump to incite play or to assert their dominance. Many dogs do not tolerate humping and it can therefore lead to conflict. My dog, Bella, will usually growl at a dog that tries to mount and hump her.
Signs the Interaction Should be Interrupted
Anyone who observes dogs playing, such as a doggie daycare handler or anyone who takes their dog to a dog park, needs to pay close attention to the interactions. Dog play interactions can become conflicts very quickly, so it’s important to separate dogs if they are showing any signs of moving into a state of conflict.
Lack of Metasignals
It’s a bad sign if the dogs are not exhibiting metasignals continuously. Dogs that are stiff and balanced, making efficient and direct movements should be separated.
Lack of Bite Inhibition
If a dog is causing another dog to yelp when she bites, or appears to be latching on, the dogs should be separated.
Unwilling Participants
If one dog appears to be attempting to escape or hide and the other dog isn’t letting up, the dogs should be separated.
Knocking Over
Dogs should be separated if one dog is knocking others over with body slams, as this behavior is very rude and may result in defensive aggression.
Pinning
If a dog is pinned on the ground and squirming to get away without success, the dogs should probably be separated.
Over-Excitement
If the dogs aren’t taking breaks and giving each other space, they may become over-excited. This can be dangerous because over-excited dogs may have less control over their bodies, causing them to be rude (which can result in conflict) or physically harm others. Signs dogs are becoming over-excited include increasing intensity of vocalizations and repeated body slamming, muzzle punching, or height seeking.
Resource Competition
Sometimes, an interaction can become aggressive if a valued resource is present to compete over. Such a resource might be food, water, toys, or even doorways. Dogs that show resource guarding tendencies shouldn’t play with other dogs with these resources present.
Resource Competition
Sometimes, an interaction can become aggressive if a valued resource is present to compete over. Such a resource might be food, water, toys, or even doorways. Dogs that show resource guarding tendencies shouldn’t play with other dogs with these resources present.
Other Information About Play Behavior
Play Styles
All dogs have different play styles. Some dogs really like to play chase. Others really enjoy a physical wresting match. But if two dogs differ in their play style, they might not be able to play well together. For example, if one dog wants to maintain space during play and the other keeps attempting to instigate a wrestling interaction, the dog that wants space may show defensive aggression. Therefore, you should separate dogs that continue interacting despite having very different play styles before one of them gets overwhelmed.
The Effect of Familiarity
Dogs usually prefer a different play style with familiar playmates and unfamiliar dogs. With familiar playmates, dogs are often more comfortable with less space during interactions and behaviors that would otherwise be considered rude may be tolerated. Bella, for example, plays very differently with my parents’ dog, Lexi, than she does with dogs at the dog park. Bella and Lexi have spent a lot of time together, so they have developed a familiarity that allows them to get more physical without risking the interaction becoming a conflict.
When Bella and Lexi play, they often jaw spar and wrestle enthusiastically. They also perform assertive behaviors like paw and chin overs. At the dog park, Bella prefers more space during play interactions. She starts exhibiting nervous body language if an unfamiliar dog gets physical or assertive.
Displacement Behavior
Although not a sign of play, displacement behaviors are worth mentioning here because they are commonly seen in play interactions. Displacement behaviors are out of context behavior that dogs use to calm a situation down. Such behaviors include sniffing the ground, scratching, shaking, and sneezing. Sometimes dogs will exhibit these behaviors and then continue playing. Other times, they will exhibit displacement behaviors as a sign they are done playing.
Above is an example of the displacement behaviors sneezing and shaking.
Displacement Behavior
Although not a sign of play, displacement behaviors are worth mentioning here because they are commonly seen in play interactions. Displacement behaviors are out of context behavior that dogs use to calm a situation down. Such behaviors include sniffing the ground, scratching, shaking, and sneezing. Sometimes dogs will exhibit these behaviors and then continue playing. Other times, they will exhibit displacement behaviors as a sign they are done playing.
Above is an example of the displacement behaviors sneezing and shaking.
Lexi, the brown dog, uses a displacement behavior here — sniffing the ground — to end the play interaction. Bella, the lighter colored dog, attempts to keep the interaction going at first, but eventually she takes the hint.
Social Deficits
Dogs that were not socialized properly as puppies may show social deficits, such as the inability to exhibit or to read metasignals. A dog with social deficits may not be able to play with other dogs without the interaction turning into conflict. A common social deficit is poor bite inhibition. A dog with poor bite inhibition may cause damage to other dogs (or people) during play, even if they don’t intend to act aggressively.
Predatory Drift
Dogs evolved to be predators, which is made clear in a lot of their behavior. This predatory drive can be dangerous, because dogs sometimes switch over from playful behavior to predatory behavior very quickly. This switch, called predatory drift, can result in serious injuries during play. The risk of predatory drift is highest when a small dog is playing with a much larger dog, or when a dog begins yelping frantically during a play interaction. The risk is particularly high if multiple dogs are chasing or surrounding the small or yelping dog.
Ritualized Aggression
The term ritualized aggression refers to interactions that fall in between play and serious fighting. During ritualized aggression, dogs might engage in threat displays such as snarls and growling, and assertive behaviors such as body slams and height seeking. Dogs engage in ritualized aggression may also perform metasignals such as moving their head side to side or feint and parries. Their vocalizations will often increase in volume, signaling their overexcitement.
In ritualized aggression, the dogs aren’t trying to harm each other, but they might be close to transitioning into serious conflict. Play interactions can turn into ritualized aggression if one dog starts getting too physical, making another dog uncomfortable. In some cases, ritualized aggression interactions are status competitions, with both dogs trying to assert their dominance over the other.
Have you noticed any of these behaviors in your dog’s play? Which ones?
Much of this information can be found in:
CATCH Training Academy Master Class Study Guide