Keeping doggy playdates safe & happy

Just like us, all dogs have different personalities! Some may be excited and exuberant around their fellow canines, and some may be a little more shy and reserved. Similarly, just like humans don’t want to be friends with everyone we meet, your dog won’t necessarily want to become besties with every single dog they meet.

Not sure whether your dog really is having a great time with their furry pal? Keep reading for some tips and to learn the signs that playtime is going well (and when to take a break or finish playing).

Know your dog

Being familiar with your dog and their personality and habits will help you to know when they’re tired or have had enough and what their conflict triggers are - so you know when to call time on the play session.

When adopting a dog, the rescue organisation will be able to tell you all about how your new pooch is with other dogs. Make sure you ask plenty of questions - are there any certain types of dogs they’re not a fan of? Do they enjoy dog parks, are they better suited to a quiet, leashed walk with another dog, or none of the above? Some dogs aren’t dog-dogs, and that’s okay too! 

Even if they love other dogs, it’s a good idea to give them a little time to settle into their new environment first before you start setting up playdates. Once you’ve gotten to know them better, you’ll also be able to match them with other dogs with similar play styles. Just remember to take it slow; a one-on-one walk or play with another doggo friend is a good place to start before diving straight into a dog park environment.

Find out what your dog’s play style is here.

Preparation

Taking your dog for a walk or having a quick play with them before hanging out with other dogs will release some of that pent-up energy first. On the flip side, you don’t want them to be so overtired that they’re not in the right mind frame to make good choices! Aiming to have your doggo walking with a loose lead and being engaged with you will set them up for success, so that they can be calm enough to make good decisions and be polite with other dogs.   

Make sure your dog has good recall before going to the dog park or spending time with other dogs. The easiest way to pause a play session is to redirect your dog’s attention towards you by calling their name. If things are really escalating, you may need to physically remove your dog. A short lead with no handle that the dog can drag while playing can be useful, in this situation.

Tip: Leave the toys at home to prevent any resource guarding issues or fighting over toys.

Loose body language

Before you start taking your dog out and about to spend time with other dogs, it’s a good idea to first make yourself familiar with dog body language. This will help you to spot the signs early on that your doggo, or others aren’t feeling comfortable or happy with the situation.

Signs of a happy dog ready to play include wiggly, loose bodies, lolling tongues and swishing tails. A stiff body and tail are signs of a dog who is not happy with the situation and should be separated from other dogs.

Give & take

Role reversal and reciprocity of play are super important in the doggo world! One dog constantly tackling or chasing the other without giving them the chance to do so, too, is usually more of a bullying than a playing situation, and it’s best to step in. Not sure if this is the case? You can perform a consent test - watch how to do so here. 

Similarly, if dogs are ganging up on each other or ignoring the other dog trying to correct them, it’s time to diffuse the tension and redirect the doggo's attention - and that might mean doing something else.

One positive sign to look out for is if the larger dog ‘self-handicaps’ by making themselves smaller and adjusts their play to make it less intense for the smaller dog. Learn more about how dogs can learn to adjust their play style here.
 

Going with the flow

Constant, fluid movements are great signs of a dog playing well. Keep an eye out for sudden changes in the flow and an ear out for sudden changes in the volume and pitch of their vocalisations.Dog-dog play can be full of noisy with growls and barks. Sudden changes usually indicate a jump in arousal - which isn’t always a sign of impending problems, but it’s a good opportunity to step in and create a breather if the dogs haven't done this themselves.

Breaks

It’s normal and healthy for dogs to take quick ‘breathers’ (which can only last for a second or two) in which they have soft eyes, open mouths and lolling tongues - they may also ‘shake down’ or have a quick sniff around to reset. 
 

Inviting play - or not?

‘Play bows’ (when they put their front legs on the ground and their butt in the air) are a great sign of the pups stopping to check that the other is still happy to keep playing. It’s really important to make sure that when your dog is bowing, that they’re either waiting for the other dog to respond, or spinning around and inviting play. If they bow, bark, and are trying to stimulate the other dog to move (especially if there was a lot of speed happening beforehand, or the other dog isn't actively consenting) then the play session needs to be interrupted immediately.

If they suddenly stop and stiffen up or are staring hard at the other dog, it’s time to stop the play. Similarly, if you notice your previously relaxed-looking dog is showing signs of discomfort in their body language,like their tail stuck between their legs, or they’re less enthusiastic about restarting the game after a break, it’s time to call it a day.

Remember to always keep watch whenever your dog is playing with other dogs (especially if they’re new friends), and be ready to step in immediately.

Further reading:

It’s Playtime! 6 Signs of Healthy Play in Dogs

Press Pause: How to Manage Dog Play 

Holding a Successful Dog Play Date

The Use of Meta Communication in Dog Play

Image credits: Gili Pup via Pexels, Daniel Lincoln and Bakaoctopus via Unsplash