Playing?

[New NJ Mom]

How do I tell if Jazz is playing or getting ready to bite? She seems to be so sweet but when we meet other dogs she barks and shows her teeth and her little tail is wagging.

I don't want to pull her away and correct her if she is only playing but I also don't want to let her bite anyone. She plays like this with my GSD and I don't interfere. I know they are playing because they take turns lowering their heads, giving kisses and sniffing each other.

We start obedience class on the 8th and i'm sure that will help in the mean time what should I do?

[mark_sherry]

The tail tells all! It's like looking someone in the face to see if they're happy or not. The barking, growling, and showing of teeth is more than likely puppy play with a bit of "let's find out who's the alpha here."

[Judi W]

The other dogs most likely well understand what she is saying, even if you do not. How are they responding?

[BarryMcD]

> New NJ Mom wrote: How do I tell if Jazz is playing or getting ready to bite?
> She seems to be so sweet but when we meet other dogs she barks and shows her teeth
> and her little tail is wagging.

Pups often play in a manner that makes humans think they are fighting for real. It can be a noisy and aggressive-looking affair, but mean nothing but fun to the pups. Here's some signals to look for to help you decide:

FIRST: Note that the amount of barking, growling, and noise and biting can often be the same among playing or fighting dogs, so do not judge by these.

SECOND: The simplest rule:

--If it lasts many minutes and there is a lot of movement around the lawn, chasing, etc., it is play. Skin is RARELY broken in play, although an occasional scratch may occur.

--If it starts fast, ends relatively fast, and is violent and remains in one place, probably with no chasing, it's a fight! There may well be teethmarks or broken skin.

:) PLAYING:
--Licking of the face or no particular behavior may precede the playing.
--Dog may stand alert or relaxed before playing.
--Tail usually held high (if not docked).
--Tail will probably wave side to side.
--Higher pitched growls and barks are associated with playing.
--Both dogs will be active and one will not run away and try to escape the activity.
--If the two switch positions, that is definitely play! In other words, if your dog lies belly up, and then later the other dog lies bellly up, that is playing.
--You may see the typical play bow where one or both dogs lower the front of their bodies as they stretch their fron legs out.
-Playing takes place over a long time and keeps changing--from biting to chasing, etc. Tempo is hectic but even, or has starts and stops.
--An occasional yelps of pain may be heard from one dog. The other will usually stop playing--if just for a second--upon hearing this.

TROUBLE:

(Each characteristic may apply to only one dog or both.)

--A lot of standing around, circling each other, and sniffing at each other may precede the fighting, or one dog may try to walk away.
--Dog may lean slightly forward with weight on its front legs if readying to fight for real. (Hard to jusge though if dog is on leash and pulling.).
--One dog's tail may be held very low or between its legs while the other's is raised high but is stiff.
--Tail may wave or vibrate very quickly--not like a normal tail wagging--and will be stiff in the aggressive dog, while lowered and not moving in the submissive dog.
--Dogs stare at each other eye to eye.
--Ears may be pulled back and the body lowered into a crouch in the more submissive or scared dog.
--Ears may be forward or lifted in the dominant dog, and his posture will tend to be erect and tall.
--C-chaped mouth: (The back corners of the mouth are actually parted a little wider than the lips at the front.)
--Lower pitched growls and barks are associated with aggression.
--Nose and forehead may be wrinkled up.
--One dog will not seem to be participating willingly, or may show the same aggressive signs (listed above) as the other dog if it is not trying to get away from it all.
--The two tend not to switch positions, but one dog is always on the top or running after or biting the other while the other does not do the same back.
--One or both digs may stand very tall and stiff, and hackles may be raised on the shoulders and back.
--Fighting begins abruptly takes place over a shorter time, is extremely violent and unrelenting. Tempo is extremely fast, no starts and stops.
--Loud whimpering or yelps of fear or pain may be heard from one dog. The other dog may not stop despite these.

In the end, you may not see many of these signs if you don't let the dogs meet and exhibit some of these charcateristics.

In the end, it is much rarer for pups to really fight! If they are pups, the most common occurrence is for the owner to misunderstand the high energy of the play activity as real fighting or aggression. 9 out of 10 times, a report like yours iends up being simple play!