PlayTime

If you have more than one dog, or take your dog on play dates you know how much fun dogs have playing together. But just because they are having a great time does not mean you can let down your guard as pack leader. Even in free play they need direction from you! People are shocked how dogs can be best friends one minute and the next there is a fight. This is because the play was not supervised properly. There is a very thin line between fun and fight when it comes to playtime.

When dogs play keep it to a limited time. 5-10 minutes is about the max you want to let the play go. After that bring the dogs back down to a calm place before allowing them to play again. If the play escalates to a point where nipping or snarling are happening step in and stop it. It doesn't mean the dogs can't keep playing, but they need to come down from the intensity before they start again.

I'll let my dogs and fosters free play for an hour in the yard but I am right there keeping it from getting too intense with breaks every few minutes to have them sit, stay or lay down. This keeps them in a follower mind set even while they rough house.

Here are some things you need to step in a correct if you see during play

• Mounting


• holding another dog down for too long


• snapping


• curled lips


• continues barking


• latching on (chewing and even open mouthed around each others neck is normal but if one dog is using any force or keeping his mouth on another dog too long don't allow it.)

To break up the play and lower intensity you can just step right into them and make a noise (eht). When you have their attention have them sit and stay. Keep them in the "sit stay" with eye contact or have them "down" for a few minutes. You can focus the play by having one dog at a time fetch a ball. Another fun game to play with more than one dog is Red light/Green light. Put your dogs in a sit stay, walk 10 feet or so turn your back and say "green light" in a high excited voice. If you make your voice inviting the dogs should break the stay and come running. When they get close turn, give eye contact say red light in your firm voice while giving the hand signal for sit. When the dogs sit everyone gets a treat or praised. This is a fun way for dogs to play together in a more structured way.

*Remember to let your dogs have fun together but remain in control and playtime will be safe and fun for everyone. And when playtime is over stick to that.