{"id":4421,"date":"2022-07-28T14:14:52","date_gmt":"2022-07-28T14:14:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/question-is-it-ok-to-let-dogs-play-fight\/"},"modified":"2022-07-29T05:48:08","modified_gmt":"2022-07-29T05:48:08","slug":"question-is-it-ok-to-let-dogs-play-fight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/question-is-it-ok-to-let-dogs-play-fight\/","title":{"rendered":"Question: Is it OK to let dogs play fight?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_17 counter-hierarchy counter-decimal ez-toc-grey\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"display: none;\"><i class=\"ez-toc-glyphicon ez-toc-icon-toggle\"><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class=\"ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1\"><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/question-is-it-ok-to-let-dogs-play-fight\/#Question_Is_it_OK_to_let_dogs_play_fight\" title=\"Question: Is it OK to let dogs play fight?\">Question: Is it OK to let dogs play fight?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/question-is-it-ok-to-let-dogs-play-fight\/#Does_play_fighting_make_dogs_aggressive\" title=\"Does play fighting make dogs aggressive?\">Does play fighting make dogs aggressive?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/question-is-it-ok-to-let-dogs-play-fight\/#How_do_you_tell_if_a_dog_is_playing_or_being_aggressive\" title=\"How do you tell if a dog is playing or being aggressive?\">How do you tell if a dog is playing or being aggressive?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/question-is-it-ok-to-let-dogs-play-fight\/#How_long_should_you_let_puppies_play_fight\" title=\"How long should you let puppies play fight?\">How long should you let puppies play fight?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/question-is-it-ok-to-let-dogs-play-fight\/#Should_I_let_my_dog_and_puppy_play_fight\" title=\"Should I let my dog and puppy play fight?\">Should I let my dog and puppy play fight?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/question-is-it-ok-to-let-dogs-play-fight\/#Do_dogs_know_when_youre_fighting\" title=\"Do dogs know when you\u2019re fighting?\">Do dogs know when you\u2019re fighting?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/question-is-it-ok-to-let-dogs-play-fight\/#Why_does_my_dog_lick_me_after_play_fighting\" title=\"Why does my dog lick me after play fighting?\">Why does my dog lick me after play fighting?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/question-is-it-ok-to-let-dogs-play-fight\/#Why_does_my_dog_attack_me_when_I_play_fight\" title=\"Why does my dog attack me when I play fight?\">Why does my dog attack me when I play fight?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/question-is-it-ok-to-let-dogs-play-fight\/#What_does_it_mean_when_dogs_bite_each_others_necks\" title=\"What does it mean when dogs bite each others necks?\">What does it mean when dogs bite each others necks?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/question-is-it-ok-to-let-dogs-play-fight\/#How_do_you_know_if_your_dog_sees_you_as_Alpha\" title=\"How do you know if your dog sees you as Alpha?\">How do you know if your dog sees you as Alpha?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/question-is-it-ok-to-let-dogs-play-fight\/#How_do_you_tell_if_puppies_are_fighting_or_playing\" title=\"How do you tell if puppies are fighting or playing?\">How do you tell if puppies are fighting or playing?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/question-is-it-ok-to-let-dogs-play-fight\/#What_should_you_not_do_after_a_dog_fight\" title=\"What should you not do after a dog fight?\">What should you not do after a dog fight?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/question-is-it-ok-to-let-dogs-play-fight\/#Why_do_dogs_bite_each_others_ears_when_playing\" title=\"Why do dogs bite each other\u2019s ears when playing?\">Why do dogs bite each other\u2019s ears when playing?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/question-is-it-ok-to-let-dogs-play-fight\/#Is_my_dog_playing_too_rough_with_puppy\" title=\"Is my dog playing too rough with puppy?\">Is my dog playing too rough with puppy?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/question-is-it-ok-to-let-dogs-play-fight\/#How_do_you_break_up_a_dog_fight\" title=\"How do you break up a dog fight?\">How do you break up a dog fight?<\/a><\/li><li class=\"ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2\"><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/question-is-it-ok-to-let-dogs-play-fight\/#Why_does_my_dog_bite_me_when_excited\" title=\"Why does my dog bite me when excited?\">Why does my dog bite me when excited?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Question_Is_it_OK_to_let_dogs_play_fight\"><\/span>Question: Is it OK to let dogs play fight?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Play fight between dogs is only natural and should be allowed. It is a good exercise for your dog, a rehearsal for adulthood, and a good practice for socialization. However, play fights can sometimes turn into a real and dangerous fight.<\/p>\n<p>Read also: <a href=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/should-i-let-my-dogs-play-fight\/\">Should I let my dogs play fight?<\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"does-play-fighting-make-dogs-aggressive\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_play_fighting_make_dogs_aggressive\"><\/span>Does play fighting make dogs aggressive?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Wrestling will not lead to aggression, but dogs who are going to wrestle with their owners do need to learn bite inhibition.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-do-you-tell-if-a-dog-is-playing-or-being\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_tell_if_a_dog_is_playing_or_being_aggressive\"><\/span>How do you tell if a dog is playing or being aggressive?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The Growl: Dogs do growl while playing, but there are two ways to tell different growls apart. An aggressive growl will be accompanied by snarling and snapping, while a playful growl is just a sound, accompanied by relaxed body movements (no tension).<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-191670\" src=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/How-do-you-tell-if-a-dog-is-playing-or-being-aggressive.jpg\" alt=\"How do you tell if a dog is playing or being aggressive?\" width=\"335\" height=\"285\" srcset=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/How-do-you-tell-if-a-dog-is-playing-or-being-aggressive.jpg 335w, https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/How-do-you-tell-if-a-dog-is-playing-or-being-aggressive-300x255.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 335px) 100vw, 335px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-long-should-you-let-puppies-play-fight\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_should_you_let_puppies_play_fight\"><\/span>How long should you let puppies play fight?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Discourage Rough Play<br \/>\nAllow your pups to play fight until they are about 4 months old. If they are still treating each other roughly, try to redirect their aggression by offering them toys when they start to bite at each other. Never use your hands when playing with your dog.<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<p><noscript><iframe loading=\"lazy\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3SLEQR3-3Lg\" width=\"560\"><\/iframe><\/noscript><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"should-i-let-my-dog-and-puppy-play-fight\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_I_let_my_dog_and_puppy_play_fight\"><\/span>Should I let my dog and puppy play fight?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>So, don\u2019t be alarmed if your puppy growls while playing tug or nips while playing with his friends. If his friends aren\u2019t worried or hurt and they want to continue with play, this is a totally acceptable behavior.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"do-dogs-know-when-you-re-fighting\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_dogs_know_when_youre_fighting\"><\/span>Do dogs know when you\u2019re fighting?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you are fighting with someone and you are upset, angry, and agitated, your dog will feel similar emotions as well. Therefore, it is safe to say that as long as dogs have been connected to humans in such a deep way, dogs have been able to sense when fights were happening and if their humans were angry and upset.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-does-my-dog-lick-me-after-play-fighting\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_does_my_dog_lick_me_after_play_fighting\"><\/span>Why does my dog lick me after play fighting?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>They want to play.<\/p>\n<p>Licking can be one of the ways a dog gets your attention. And if they\u2019re playing or play-fighting with you, they may have learned\u2014with good reason! \u2014that it\u2019s better to lick than to use their teeth.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-does-my-dog-attack-me-when-i-play-fight\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_does_my_dog_attack_me_when_I_play_fight\"><\/span>Why does my dog attack me when I play fight?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Mouthing traces back to a dog\u2019s ability to learn how to fight. From the time they are puppies, dogs practice fighting with friends and are gentle enough not to hurt each other.\u00a0 If your dog is play biting, it\u2019s a sign of affection; it\u2019s gentle, he looks happy, and he might even be laying down.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MeCTwfU9y4E\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-4\" style=\"margin: 8px 0; clear: both;\">\n<div style=\"margin: 50px 0px 40px; clear: both;\">\n<p><noscript><iframe loading=\"lazy\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7Bk2n0oWQYw\" width=\"560\"><\/iframe><\/noscript><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"what-does-it-mean-when-dogs-bite-each-others\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_does_it_mean_when_dogs_bite_each_others_necks\"><\/span>What does it mean when dogs bite each others necks?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Actions like chasing, wrestling, growling and neck-biting are all part of this harmless play. What it means when a dog puts its mouth around other dog\u2019s neck is usually just down to play. It is easy to see when a dog is biting another dog\u2019s neck as part of playtime by studying their body language.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-do-you-know-if-your-dog-sees-you-as-alpha\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_know_if_your_dog_sees_you_as_Alpha\"><\/span>How do you know if your dog sees you as Alpha?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The Dominant Dog May:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Push her way to be first in or out of doorways.<\/li>\n<li>Claim the best sleeping area or nudge other dogs out of theirs.<\/li>\n<li>Not give much attention to the other dogs.<\/li>\n<li>Appear to be jealous when you give the other dogs attention.<\/li>\n<li>Mount the other dogs.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 id=\"how-do-you-tell-if-puppies-are-fighting-or\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_tell_if_puppies_are_fighting_or_playing\"><\/span>How do you tell if puppies are fighting or playing?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Exaggerated, bouncy movement. The dogs are acting silly. Loud, continuous growling and snarling; again, exaggerated. Play-growling may sound scarier than serious fighting.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-should-you-not-do-after-a-dog-fight\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_should_you_not_do_after_a_dog_fight\"><\/span>What should you not do after a dog fight?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>What not to do<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Never get between fighting dogs.<\/li>\n<li>Never reach in with your hands to separate fighting dogs.<\/li>\n<li>Never put your face close to a dog fight.<\/li>\n<li>Never grab a dog by the tail and attempt to pull him away from a fight.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<div class=\"code-block code-block-4\" style=\"margin: 8px 0; clear: both;\">\n<p><!-- \u0420\u0435\u043a\u043b \u0432 \u0441\u0442\u0430\u0442\u044c\u0435 3 --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<p><noscript><iframe loading=\"lazy\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/O8MUbmaains\" width=\"560\"><\/iframe><\/noscript><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"why-do-dogs-bite-each-other-s-ears-when-playing\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_do_dogs_bite_each_others_ears_when_playing\"><\/span>Why do dogs bite each other\u2019s ears when playing?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It can be a way of bonding and between the dogs<\/p>\n<p>Dogs communicate with their mouths through biting. And thus biting each other\u2019s ears is a way of showing how at ease they are with each other and they feel safe together. It makes the other dogs know they are in no danger and it\u2019s all fun and play.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-191671\" src=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Why-do-dogs-bite-each-others-ears-when-playing.jpg\" alt=\"Why do dogs bite each other\u2019s ears when playing?\" width=\"1200\" height=\"866\" srcset=\"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Why-do-dogs-bite-each-others-ears-when-playing.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Why-do-dogs-bite-each-others-ears-when-playing-300x217.jpg 300w, https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Why-do-dogs-bite-each-others-ears-when-playing-1024x739.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Why-do-dogs-bite-each-others-ears-when-playing-768x554.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"is-my-dog-playing-too-rough-with-puppy\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_my_dog_playing_too_rough_with_puppy\"><\/span>Is my dog playing too rough with puppy?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When your older dog wants to play, let him set the tone of the play. If the puppy or young dog is too rough and the old dog corrects him by pinning him, barking and growling, or otherwise telling him off; that\u2019s fine. However, when your old dog gets tired and has had enough, help him stop the play.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-do-you-break-up-a-dog-fight\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_break_up_a_dog_fight\"><\/span>How do you break up a dog fight?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>How to Break Up a Dog Fight<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>The Wheelbarrow Method.<\/li>\n<li>Assess the Situation\/Determine the Aggressor.<\/li>\n<li>Break Any Strong Jaw Grip.<\/li>\n<li>Pull Backward on the Collar.<\/li>\n<li>Remove the Dogs from the Area.<\/li>\n<li>Know Your Limitations.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid Outings if Your Dog is Aggressive.<\/li>\n<li>Read Body Language.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2 id=\"why-does-my-dog-bite-me-when-excited\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_does_my_dog_bite_me_when_excited\"><\/span>Why does my dog bite me when excited?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In arousal biting, your dog is expressing excitement, playfulness or uncertainty\u2014not aggression. However, it\u2019s important to note that some dogs can easily tip from arousal biting into more aggressive biting if they become frustrated or overstimulated.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Table of Contents Question: Is it OK to let dogs play fight?Does play fighting make dogs aggressive?How do you tell if a dog is playing or being aggressive?How long should you let puppies play fight?Should I let my dog and puppy play fight?Do dogs know when you\u2019re fighting?Why does my dog lick me after play&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":191669,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"spay_email":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[619],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4421","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-animal"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Is-it-OK-to-let-dogs-play-fight.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4421"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4421"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4421\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":191672,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4421\/revisions\/191672"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/191669"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4421"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4421"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/animalshelterz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4421"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}