VIDEO: Change the Dog Toy, Change the Dog Play

In each of the videos below, there are 3 dogs playing.  Notice the differences in how the dogs engage with one another in each of the videos.  What changed?  The type of toy that was introduced to the doggie playgroup!  If you’re interested in becoming a professional dog trainer, learning to read dog body language is an important tool.  In these 2 clips, you can see how dog play can be changed through relatively minor interventions.

Video: Dog Toy is a Ball

Here are a few points of interest from this video:

1. Vocalization

Vocalization is simply one method of canine communication. In this instance, it is an indicator of the Labrador Retriever’s increasing arousal level. 

2. Where is the toy? How is it being used in play?

The Bloodhound has a large ball in his mouth.  He is showing strong possession (a desire to keep the toy – nothing wrong with that!) and is enticing the other dogs to chase him with it by slowing and presenting them with a view of the toy.

3.Type of Play

Primarily chase.  Chase is a great dog game. Like all dog play, it’s important that all participants are interested in playing, breaks occur periodically, and that arousal levels stay at a reasonable level.   

4. Speed

This is fast paced play.  The Bloodhound and Labrador Retriever are running at high speeds but there are breaks in play.  The clip starts in one of these play breaks. 

5. Rigid or Loose

Even though the Labrador Retriever and Bloodhound are running quite fast, their bodies are still relatively loose.  Compare the German Shorthair Pointer who is quite rigid and upright as he runs.

6. Also…

Notice how the Labrador Retriever utilizes his mouth in this video.  He is grabbing at shoulders, haunches, anything within mouth range.  The German Shorthair Pointer is engaging in play.  What you don’t see in this video is that the Pointer has refrained from interacting with the 2 dogs during most of the play session and has entertained himself by watching the other dogs play.  The higher level of arousal, fast movement, and/or vocalization triggered his interest to join in.

Overall, I find this play more frantic, less relaxed or loose, than I like. The vocalization, repeated grabbing with the mouth, and the Pointer’s stiff body all point to play that is taking place in a higher state of arousal than I prefer.  Note that opinions among professional dog trainers vary broadly as to what constitutes appropriate or inappropriate play.  I would categorize this play as appropriate, but would direct the play to a calmer state if possible.  See how this is done in the second video!

Video: Dog Toy is Long Tug

1. Vocalization

If there is vocalization, it is minimal.  Again, vocalization isn’t bad, but it appears to be tied to increasing levels of arousal for the Labrador Retriever in the video.

2. Where is the toy? How is it being used in play?

The Bloodhound and Labrador Retriever each grasp one end of the tug toy.  Both dogs are showing strong possession (a desire to keep the toy – nothing wrong with that!) but there is significant give and take in the tug game they are playing. 

3.Type of Play

Primarily tug. Tug is also a great dog game. Like all play, it’s important that all participants are interested in playing, breaks occur periodically, and that arousal levels stay at a reasonable level.

4. Speed

The pace of this play is slowed significantly. 

5. Rigid or Loose

Both dogs are looser here than in the ball video. The Labrador Retriever ducks under the Bloodhound’s jaw and curves his body around. The Bloodhound even play bows into the down. 

6. Also…

Where’s the third dog?  He’s in the room, standing in a relaxed posture to the side and watching. 

Overall, I find this play more desirable. Play begins with a keep away game, similar to the ball video, but the pace simply never escalates, nor does the arousal level. Both dogs are engaged and very interested in continuing the game, but neither seems frantic or overly aroused compared to the ball video clip.  Less stress for the dogs, great social engagement, very good exercise – that’s win-win-win in my book!

What is to be concluded from these videos? That tug play amongst dogs is better than ball play? No. While true for this group, that’s certainly not necessarily true in many cases. The 2 videos shown are just a simple example of how introducing a toy to group play can change the dynamic of the play. Additionally, the quality and type of play can be altered depending on the type of toy, as is demonstrated in the video. As a professional dog trainer, having the ability to read body language and to influence play is very important. And what great fun – watching a group of dogs engage in safe, relaxed play!