How to Tell the Difference Between Dog Fight and Play

Dogs are growling, snarling and wrestling fiercely on the grass. One dog owner is screaming bloody murder while the other owner is laughing. Not because she likes to see dogs die, but because she knows it's all in fun. You can tell the difference between dog fight and play with some simple observations and keep it at play with quick action. Remember, it's all in fun until someone loses an eye. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Keen eye
• Quick reflexes
• Explanation for the owner who thinks her dog is being killed

1. Keep a vigilant eye out for signs of aggression. The dogs may be chasing and chomping, but if no teeth are digging into flesh, no eyeballs are rolling back into the skull and no tails are sweeping like an evil pendulum, you're usually OK. Also see if the dog that seems to be getting the worse end of the play cowers in fear or keeps going back to the other dog for more.

2. Listen. If any dog squeals in pain, do stop the play to make sure no one is hurt. Do note, however, some dogs squeal in fear just when being chased or even squeal for the heck of it and a fight was not eminent.

3. Explain things to paranoid dog owners. Certain dog owners will bring their canines to dog parks only to flip out every time their dear Fluffy or Fido gets near another dog. Either explain to this person that dogs play rough and are not hurting each other or encourage your dog to play with a different friend.

4. Demand a time out. Even the friendliest dog play can escalate to a fight if the dogs go too far for too long or other dogs try unsuccessfully to join the fray. When the play seems to be hitting the hilt, break it up and give each dog a "time out." Have the fine canines sit quietly for a moment to calm down.

5. Watch for blood. If a dog starts bleeding, even in play, it's high time to separate the dogs, settle them down and look for any injuries.

Tips & Warnings

• Get to know your dog's playing habits so you can realize when he's fighting or correct play behavior that leads to fights. My dog Sawyer used to bite other dogs on the butt and then run away. Although he meant it all in fun, many a fight would start that way because the other dogs didn't think it so funny.
• To correct a playtime behavior that other dogs hate, give your dog a time out every time he acts up.
• If fur flies, bone snaps and blood spurts, you can bet it's probably a fight.
• Confront the paranoid owner if she gets too intolerable. Ask her gently why she takes her dogs to the dog park if she won't allow them to play. Perhaps tell her she may be better off in a room full of kittens rather than a park full of dogs.
• Don't expect the jparanoid dog owner to enjoy your sarcasm.

[Rynski]

on 9/15/2008 Take her to dog training classes that are aimed at socializing her. Our local humane society offers inexpensive group classes for a variety of different lessons. Call your local animal organizations, vets and other animal places to get some recommendations.

[mms326]

on 9/13/2008 My dog had often done the snarling and growling with teeth exposed, but there has never been blood or cuts in 8 years and it tends to end quickly. She tends to be dominant and i worry I will make other owners mad, but she loves to play with other dogs and I usually just thought it was play. You article made me feel better but is there anything else I can do or should I just keep her out of the dog park.