Is it good for dogs to play together?

While out on one of my group dog walks the other day, I took this lovely video of Meeple (the Cockapoo) and Obi (the Shih Tzu) playing. It is such a lovely example of what appropriate dog play should look like. There are many signals being used by both Meeple and Obi to show each other that they are having fun and enjoying the play. These are called meta-signals. In appropriate dog play, you will see the following signs and signals: Relaxed and loose posture with bouncy movements, Play bows, Turning their bottoms into each other, Role reversal, Fair wrestling, Racing around, Mutual pausing in play, Self-handicapping, Inhibited biting and mouthing, Cocalising, Shake-off's. When dogs are 'playing' we need to watch their body language in order to truly see how a dog is feeling about that 'play' and to ensure that both dogs are enjoying the interaction. Remember dogs should not be allowed to just 'work it out between themselves'. As dog guardians, we must monitor their interactions and intervene if we feel it is necessary so that your dog and the those they are playing with stay safe and only learn appropriate play behaviour.

Dogs that have other dogs or companion animals in the household live longer and are healthier. Dogs that interacted with other dogs had lower levels of cortisol, a hormone related to stress. Social interaction with other dogs could help reduce stress in dogs. Dogs are naturally social animals and enjoy the company of other dogs. Many trainers recommend regular socialization with other dogs as an important part of a dog’s well-being. Overall, the research suggests that dogs do indeed enjoy the company of other dogs and that socialization with other dogs can be beneficial for a dog’s overall health and Well-being. Dogs prefer to spend time with other dogs over humans. Experts found that while dogs were happy to interact with humans, they were more likely to initiate play and seek out the company of other dogs.

I think that it’s a good thing, in most cases, for your dog to play with the other dogs in your pack. I think in general, it’s a good idea for your dog to play with the other members of your pack. However, there are some instances why your dog shouldn’t play with your other dogs. You see, if your dog is spending all of their quality time with another member of your pack, and you’re just watching it, it’s going to create a problem. The major problem that I see that it creates is that when you call your dog off of a very powerful distraction, they’re not going to come. And that could be a real problem for you and your dog. I recently mentioned in the blog that maybe it’s a good idea for your dog not to play with senior dogs, though, because sometimes those puppies tend to be a bit over the top and too much for old dogs.

It’s a joy to watch dogs and puppies wrestle, chase, and romp together. Dog-to-dog play involves a series of active and repetitive behaviors that have different meanings when performed in other contexts but help dogs develop important life skills and experiences that promote good physical and mental health. The beauty of play for dogs is that most dogs continue to want to play with others into adulthood. Play works best when both dogs know the rules, maintain a low level of arousal, and are willing to play at the same level and with similar styles. During appropriate play, conflict is avoided as long as each dog allows the other to take turns "winning" and "losing" the game. Most dogs play safely with each other by relying on a series of cut-off signals that communicate their peaceful intentions. Understanding how dogs play ensures that play remains a fun and healthy activity for everyone.