One minute your dogs are happily chasing each other around the garden. The next, there’s growling, wrestling, teeth and enough chaos to make you wonder if playtime has officially gone too far.
The good news is that dogs play fighting can look and sound much more dramatic than it actually is.
Wrestling, chasing and even growling can all be part of normal dog play. The trick is knowing what your dog’s body language is telling you and when it’s time to call a timeout.
Here’s how to spot the difference.
Why dogs play fighting is normal?
Play is an important part of a dog’s life.
It gives dogs an opportunity to exercise, interact and practise natural behaviours such as chasing, wrestling and mouthing. For puppies, playing with other dogs can also form an important part of learning how to interact appropriately.
And sometimes, healthy dog play simply looks a little wild.
Instead of focusing on how noisy the dogs are, pay attention to how they’re interacting with each other.
Signs your dogs are playing
Relaxed play tends to involve loose, exaggerated movements and plenty of back and forth.
Look out for:
- Play bows: One dog lowers their front legs while keeping their back end in the air.
- Bouncy movements: Playing dogs tend to bounce, leap and move in exaggerated ways.
- Taking turns: One dog might chase first and then become the one being chased.
- Loose body language: Their bodies should generally look relaxed rather than stiff or tense.
- Playful mouthing: Dogs may wrestle with their mouths open without trying to cause injury.
- Taking breaks: Healthy play often includes little pauses before everyone gets going again.
- Coming back for more: If both dogs voluntarily return to the game, that’s usually a good sign that they’re enjoying themselves.
Growling doesn’t automatically mean there’s a problem either. Some dogs are simply very vocal when they play.
Look at the whole interaction rather than relying on one sound or behaviour.
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Signs dog play may be turning into a fight
Things can change quickly, so keep an eye on both dogs throughout playtime.
Warning signs can include:
- Stiff or tense body language
- One dog repeatedly trying to get away
- A tucked tail or frightened posture
- One dog constantly pinning or overpowering the other
- No longer taking turns
- Hard staring or tense facial expressions
- Fast, direct movements rather than loose, bouncy ones
- One dog trying to hide behind you or leave the situation
- Play continuing even though one dog clearly wants it to stop
The biggest clue is whether both dogs still seem to be enjoying the interaction.
If one wants out and the other isn’t listening, it’s time to intervene.
Give excited dogs a break
Sometimes dogs don’t need playtime to end completely. They just need a chance to calm down.
If things are becoming too intense, call the dogs away from each other and give them some space.
This is also where having the right toys and enrichment around can help.
A game of fetch, a chew toy, puzzle toy or another suitable activity can redirect some of that energy and give your dog something else to focus on.
Just remember that toys can sometimes become a source of competition between dogs too. If either dog guards toys, food or other resources, separate activities may be a better option.
Choosing toys for safe dog play
The right dog toys can make playtime more engaging, especially when dogs play fighting need another way to burn off some of that energy. But there’s no single toy that’s suitable for every dog.
Think about your dog’s size, age and play style when choosing toys.
A determined chewer will need something very different from a puppy who prefers carrying around a soft toy. Having a few suitable options on hand can also help redirect attention when dogs play fighting starts getting a little too energetic.
Whatever you choose, make sure it’s appropriately sized for your dog and check it regularly for damage. Broken pieces, loose stuffing or small parts can become a safety risk.
At the Onepet Premium Store, you can explore toys and other pet essentials to help keep playtime interesting, whether your dog loves chasing, chewing, tugging or solving a puzzle for a tasty reward.
What should you do if dogs actually start fighting?
If dogs play fighting turns into a real fight, your first instinct may be to reach in and separate the dogs.
Don’t put your hands between fighting dogs or grab near their mouths. Even a dog that would never normally bite you can redirect a bite when they’re frightened or highly aroused.
Keep children and other pets away from the area and avoid putting yourself directly between the dogs.
Once the dogs have been safely separated, keep them apart and give them time to calm down.
If you’re concerned about how to safely break up a serious dog fight, speak to your vet or a qualified animal behaviour professional about the safest approach for your circumstances.
Check your dog after a fight
Once everything has calmed down, check your dog carefully for injuries, even if it seemed like a case of dogs play fighting that simply got a little too rough.
Bite wounds aren’t always as obvious as you’d expect, particularly underneath thick fur. Small puncture wounds can also be more serious than they initially appear.
If your dog has been bitten, seems sore, is bleeding, is limping or simply isn’t acting like themselves, contact your vet for advice.
When in doubt, it’s always better to have an injury checked.
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Keep playtime fun
A little wrestling between furry friends doesn’t necessarily mean you need to panic.
Learn your dog’s normal play style, watch their body language and make sure everyone involved is having fun.
And when they need another way to burn off some of that energy, a good walk, some enrichment or their favourite toy might be exactly what they need.
Ready for the next round of playtime? Explore dog toys, treats and everyday essentials at the Onepet Premium Store.
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