How do I tell if my dog is being aggressive or playful?

Puppy play consists of chasing, pouncing, barking, growling and biting. In normal play, a puppy may bow, present its front and side to the owner, wag its tail, dart back and forth, emit high pitched barks and growls, and spontaneously attack people or objects. Generally, its ears will be up and its mouth will be open and relaxed. Problem behaviors are prolonged, deep tone growling, a fixed staring gaze, stiff posture and lip curling. The ears are more likely to be pinned back. Instead of a lowering of the head and raising of the back legs in a play bow, the puppy is likely to be standing rigidly. Puppies less than 12 weeks of age that react to pain or fear by growling or snapping are responding abnormally.

Dogs playing together from such a young age teaches them communication and self-control. Ready for Fun Here are a few signals dogs use to show other pups they're ready to play: Dropping into a play bow, Taking turns, A smile, Exaggerated growling or barking, Play Biting. If you notice one dog isn't feeling it and looks like they’d rather be left alone, it might be best to separate them for a time. Signs of dog aggression include raised hackles, stiffness, snapping, or lunging. If either dog shows aggression, separate them immediately. Play Biting is typically one of the hardest signs for pet parents to accept because we associate biting as a negative outside of eating, but this is simply what dogs do. Both dogs may bear their teeth, but as long as there isn't aggressive growling, yelps or whimpers your dogs are probably just engaging in playful behaviour.

It’s totally normal for dogs to play-bite, bark, chase, swipe, and lunge, as long as it’s in a gentle and friendly manner. But sometimes growling, biting, jumping, barking, etc. can shift from playful to aggressive. When dogs play, it often takes the form of play fighting, play biting and wrestling. Although it can be fun and harmless, sometimes this can intensify into unsafe and serious scraps if you do not observe your dog closely. To prevent playing turning into fighting, it’s important to watch carefully for stress signals and warning signals. Some of the most common warning signals are: Stiffness – when a dog becomes tense and stressed, they usually appear rigid and stand in a stiff-legged stance. Growling – Sometimes dogs will growl during play, but these growls are accompanied with loose, relaxed body language. When growling is followed by any of the above behaviors, or is a deep and low, it may be a sign of aggressive behavior that needs to be addressed.

If two dogs are wrestling and it seems too rough to you, with all that growling and snarling, body-slamming, and biting of each other’s necks, should you intervene. There are different physical cues that signal that dogs are playing. If they have a big, silly, open-mouthed grin, that’s already a good start. Often, their movements will be exaggerated: bouncy movements, and even exaggerated growling. Dogs may do the “play bow” when playing, where their front end is down, and back end is in the air. Sometimes, dogs trying to initiate play will slap their front legs down on the ground repeatedly. Although play-growling is exaggerated and friendly, it can be loud and can sound scary. Dogs who are play-growling are over-exaggerating their snarls, which may make this noise sound scarier than if they were actually fighting. If dogs voluntarily make themselves vulnerable by “falling” down, they’re probably playing. By exposing their bellies to another dog, they are being particularly vulnerable. Playing dogs will allow themselves to be caught while playing chase, and take turns chasing each other. Dogs will take turns with most play-fighting behaviors. Dog play and dog fighting can sometimes look similar, but there are tell-tale signs to differentiate between them. Dog’s bodies when they’re upset or feel threatened by another dogs will become very stiff. Their hackles, which is the hair on their upper backs, are raised. If your dog has long hair, this may be harder to spot. Their growls will be different too. They will have low warning growls, closed mouths, and curled lips. Their ears will be pinned flat — no big, silly smiles. Dogs are trying to get away from one another, or at least one probably is, and their body language reflects that. They won’t be happy and bouncy. Instead, their tail may also be tucked underneath them. A dog that feels threatened will have quick and efficient movements. They won’t be bouncing around, and definitely won’t be “taking turns” like they did when they were playing.