Play fighting - is it cause for concern??

[Deb McD]

My 2 doodles - one is 4.5yrs and one is 11 months - are enjoying the spring weather and have been outdoors a lot in the last few weeks - they are constantly chasing each other around the yard and play fighting - biting on each others ears, grabbing each other by the leg, tackling each other. While I have no problem with them playing - sometimes it gets a little rough and I guess I am a little concerned that one of them is going to get hurt. I know that one will yelp to say if enough is enough. Does anyone else have this issue??

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Peri and Taquito play fight all the time - if she gets too rough, Peri gets a little time out also. It is a great way to settle her down if necessary.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Our pack play fights all the time but especially now when the weather has been so nice. It is funny to watch them team up. Sometimes it Beagles v Doodles and sometimes its Beagle & Doodle v Beagle & Doodle. Harlow, our female, is usually the instigator. When any of them get tired they just go lay in the shade.

[Susan, Zeke. Lily & Jasper]

Every evening sometime after their supper my two have a play fight. It's like a last burst of energy they have to burn up before bedtime. Most of the time Lily initiates it but Zeke will ofter bait her with a toy and she is always ready to romp. Usually it is not too rough, nipping, chasing tug of war and simulated boxing but every now and then there is a growl or action that is just too out of hand for inside, That's when I say " stop it" in my leader of the pack voice and they imediately calm down and even sometimes seem relieved that I have taken control.They remind me so much of children who are trying to avoid going to bed, getting in as much action as possible. For mine this has become a routine and seems pretty normal. I do think it's someting that needs to be supervised so they don't hurt each other.

[Ann Kendig]

My two play fight soooo much. They love to tackle each other. I never stop them unless they are in the house or if they are running and carrying a stick and decide to fight over it. It scares me to think what damage could be caused by a stick when they are playing. Sometimes it sounds as if they are fighting but when I turn to look at them their tails are wagging and their body language shows that they are just playing. I do keep an eye on their play though so that I can intervene if it looks as if things are getting out of hand. Many years ago I had a Sheltie and Australian Shepherd. As the Sheltie aged she didn't want the younger dog bothering her. I had to break up a fight a couple of times. It is really scary when dogs are truly fighting!!!

[Hunter and Daisy's Doodle Mom]

My little monsters are always playing like this. There are times when I see some teeth or gazes that I think is getting out of hand, but as soon as I correct it, they'll just go back to chasing eachother around and barking and tackeling eachother. Hunter may be bigger, but Daisy gives him a run for his money. And his bark is SOOOOO loud, I think the neighbors 1/2 mile down the road can hear him :-)

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

My two play in spurts. They have great bursts of energy...chasing, dodging, etc. and then they wear each other out. I feel as long as both are going back for more, it is normal play. Once in awhile, if I think it is escalating, I call a time out for awhile and distract them with some other type of play. I love to watch them figure out how to get the other to play. Fudge is very smart and will keep walking by Vern with a toy or something, until she catches his interest. Vern watches for one minute and then just starts running straight at Fudge. Lookout, Fudge!

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

So...Izzy (3 months) and Lucca (2 years) are play fighting now. Lucca has gotten much more vocal than he ever was with the Arrrrrrrrrrrr sounds. I let them play until I hear Lucca's volume change. Then I break it up by telling them to "take a break" or redirecting with a toy. My concern is that Izzy's teeth are so darn sharp right now I'm sure they are hurting Lucca. He does put her down into a submissive pose at a certain point but she just "pops" up for more. She hasn't quite figured out the "enough already" part. Is it ok for me to intervene at this point? I feel it's also important that he stay alpha so I don't want to hinder that balance, although Izzy is definitely trying to get to the top:)

This week she'll have had all her shots and we can go out. I'm hoping that will help with the energy level.