Dog parks are a great place to take your dog to burn off some energy and make new friends, but we’ve all witnessed owners who aren’t moderating their dog’s behavior or who don’t step in when things go too far. Always know when to intervene to keep things friendly! A good sign of respectful play is a dog asking permission to play, instead of just leaping at a dog, running them over, or nipping at their heels. Dogs ask permission by dancing around the other dog while making eye contact, doing the easily recognizable play bow, or by running up and tapping them with a paw or their nose. Even if the other dog doesn’t react or makes it clear they don’t want to play, asking permission is always a sign of good social skills.
If the other dog shows interest, watch for them to start syncing up their play styles. Some dogs can get their alternating play bows synced within mere tenths of a second of each other. Some breeds, like huskies, prefer to stand and stare at each other, daring the other to move first. This usually results in a hilarious stop-motion dance, before one finally makes a break for it and the chase begins. But this behavior is very similar to what a dog does when they’re not comfortable with play, or when they’re trying to dominate instead of something more friendly.
If your dog is doing the stare-off with another dog trying to play, make sure they’re relaxed. This means hackles down, no teeth showing, tail held straight back, not high and bristled. If the other dog moves to the right or left and your dog is only following them with their eyes, and you see the whites in the corners, it’s time to give your dog some time to decompress. For dogs to have a safe playtime, both need to see each other as equals.
Some dogs walk into a situation and want to win no matter what, which is where play can escalate very quickly into a fight. Watch for your dog trying to put their chin over the other dog’s neck, mount them, or stand over them as they lie on their back. Some dogs will enter a play situation wanting to be overly accommodating, leaning down when approaching, rolling over, and licking at another dog’s mouth. These behaviors can seem very cute at first, but your dog has decided to be the submissive partner during playtime, meaning they’ll be less likely to stand up for themselves if they get in over their heads and are telling the other dog that they’ll take the blame for any crossed lines. Depending on the dominance of the other dog, this can be a dangerous position to take. Try to keep your dog from taking a too dominant or too submissive stance for their own safety, and maybe direct them towards other playmates who better fit their personality and energy.
If you’re not sure whether a situation is playful, listen for a sneeze or a huff! Those little sneezes you hear during playtime are how dogs tell each other that they are just playing and don’t mean any offense. If the other dog sneezes in response, any infractions have likely been forgiven. Same goes for a dog shaking themselves, as if wet. This is how dog’s shake off the pent-up energy of an uncomfortable and tense situation. If they were the aggressor, they’re acknowledging they went too far and are moving past it. If they were being bullied, a shake off can let you know they’re okay, and letting it go.
You will always know your dog best, so keep a close eye on playtime to learn your dog’s signals. This will give both you and your dog the confidence needed to find a really good playmate, experiment with play styles, and find close and respectful friends!
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Recap of Scout`s first day in Daycare!
#fyp #healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #healthyhoundplayground #dog #dogs #pup #puppiesofinstagram
Recap of Scout`s first day in Daycare!
#fyp #healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #healthyhoundplayground #dog #dogs #pup #puppiesofinstagram
Ok, we know it might be a little early for Christmas music and it’s not exactly a Christmas tree, but Polly and Auggie are still having fun rocking around it.🌲😀 #catchmeifyoucan #dogchase #peekaboo #socute #comeandgetme #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #doggydaycare #dogsofinstagram #instagram #dogs #rockville #houndsofinstagram #goldensofinstagram
Ok, we know it might be a little early for Christmas music and it’s not exactly a Christmas tree, but Polly and Auggie are still having fun rocking around it.🌲😀 #catchmeifyoucan #dogchase #peekaboo #socute #comeandgetme #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #doggydaycare #dogsofinstagram #instagram #dogs #rockville #houndsofinstagram #goldensofinstagram
Good morning from daycare!
#healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #healthyhoundplayground #doggydaycare #dogsofinstagram #dogs #doggydaycamp #dogsofdmv #instagood #socute #instagram #fyp #fypシ #fypage #dogoftheday #doglife #dogsdaily #doggydayout #dog #pup #puppy #puppylove #puppiesofinstagram #puppies #doggo #doggydaycarelife #daycare #daycarelife
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Good morning from daycare!
#healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #healthyhoundplayground #doggydaycare #dogsofinstagram #dogs #doggydaycamp #dogsofdmv #instagood #socute #instagram #fyp #fypシ #fypage #dogoftheday #doglife #dogsdaily #doggydayout #dog #pup #puppy #puppylove #puppiesofinstagram #puppies #doggo #doggydaycarelife #daycare #daycarelife
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When you love playing so much that your only breaks are when you are rehydrating. #multitaking #playallday #puppies #puppiesofinstagram #dogs #doggydaycare #dogsofinstagram #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #rockville #doggydaycamp #instagram #dogsofdmv #socute #tiredpuppy #tiredpup #someoneneedsanap
When you love playing so much that your only breaks are when you are rehydrating. #multitaking #playallday #puppies #puppiesofinstagram #dogs #doggydaycare #dogsofinstagram #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #rockville #doggydaycamp #instagram #dogsofdmv #socute #tiredpuppy #tiredpup #someoneneedsanap
Gracie wants to nap in the middle of the playroom... 😂
#naptime #doggydaycare #thestruggleisreal #funny #funnydogs #healthyhoundplayground #healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #instagood #socute #dogsofinstagram #dogsofdmv #doggydaycamp #instagram #dogs #dog #doglife #dogphotography #doglife #dogoftheday #doglovers #pup #puppy #puppylove #animal #animals #sterlingva #virginia #nap #sleepy #laugh #love
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Gracie wants to nap in the middle of the playroom... 😂
#naptime #doggydaycare #thestruggleisreal #funny #funnydogs #healthyhoundplayground #healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #instagood #socute #dogsofinstagram #dogsofdmv #doggydaycamp #instagram #dogs #dog #doglife #dogphotography #doglife #dogoftheday #doglovers #pup #puppy #puppylove #animal #animals #sterlingva #virginia #nap #sleepy #laugh #love
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Howling happy 11th birthday to our friend, Obi!
#happybirthday #birthdayboy #healthyhoundplayground #healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #doggydaycare #dogsofinstagram #dogs #instagram #doggydaycamp #dog #socute #instagood #fyp #fypシ #dogsdaily #dogphotography #doglife #dogoftheday #doglovers #doggydayout #animal #pet #petstagram #petlovers #puppy #baby #daycare #daycarelife
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Howling happy 11th birthday to our friend, Obi!
#happybirthday #birthdayboy #healthyhoundplayground #healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #doggydaycare #dogsofinstagram #dogs #instagram #doggydaycamp #dog #socute #instagood #fyp #fypシ #dogsdaily #dogphotography #doglife #dogoftheday #doglovers #doggydayout #animal #pet #petstagram #petlovers #puppy #baby #daycare #daycarelife
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It`s the nose *boops* for me 🥰
#healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #healthyhoundplayground #instagood #socute #doggydaycamp #instagram #dogs #dogsofinstagram #doggydaycare #doggydaycare #dogsdaily #dogphotography #dogdaycare #doggydayout #doglover #doglovers #doglife #dogs #dog #dogoftheday #dogsofinstagram #pup #puppiesofinstagram #puppylove #puppy #baby #daycare #virginia
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It`s the nose *boops* for me 🥰
#healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #healthyhoundplayground #instagood #socute #doggydaycamp #instagram #dogs #dogsofinstagram #doggydaycare #doggydaycare #dogsdaily #dogphotography #dogdaycare #doggydayout #doglover #doglovers #doglife #dogs #dog #dogoftheday #dogsofinstagram #pup #puppiesofinstagram #puppylove #puppy #baby #daycare #virginia
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Happy 1st Birthday, Dutton!
#happybirthday #birthdayboy #birthdaybehavior #doggydaycare #dogsdaily #dogsofinstagram #dogphotography #doggydaycamp #dogdaycare #doggydayout #doglover #dogs #doggydaycarelife #dog #puppy #puppylove #puppiesofinstagram #pup #puppies #baby #babies #daycare #daycarelife #virginia #healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #healthyhoundplayground
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Happy 1st Birthday, Dutton!
#happybirthday #birthdayboy #birthdaybehavior #doggydaycare #dogsdaily #dogsofinstagram #dogphotography #doggydaycamp #dogdaycare #doggydayout #doglover #dogs #doggydaycarelife #dog #puppy #puppylove #puppiesofinstagram #pup #puppies #baby #babies #daycare #daycarelife #virginia #healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #healthyhoundplayground
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POV: You don`t get your *lovin`* fast enough 😂
#fyp #fypシ #funny #sassy #sourpatchkid #instagood #instagram #dogsofinstagram #doggydaycare #dog #dogs #dogsdaily #dogsofinstagram #doggydaycamp #doggydayout #doggydaycarelife #doglover #pup #puppy #baby #babies #daycare #healthyhoundplayground #healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #virginia
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POV: You don`t get your *lovin`* fast enough 😂
#fyp #fypシ #funny #sassy #sourpatchkid #instagood #instagram #dogsofinstagram #doggydaycare #dog #dogs #dogsdaily #dogsofinstagram #doggydaycamp #doggydayout #doggydaycarelife #doglover #pup #puppy #baby #babies #daycare #healthyhoundplayground #healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #virginia
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Happy Birthday to our sweet friend, Betty!
#healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #healthyhoundplayground #happybirthday #queen #birthdaygirl #dogsofinstagram #dogs #doggydaycamp #instagood #socute #dog #dogsdayout #doggydaycare #fyp #photography #photooftheday #virginia #animal #pet #petstagram #pup #puppy #baby #babygirl
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Happy Birthday to our sweet friend, Betty!
#healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #healthyhoundplayground #happybirthday #queen #birthdaygirl #dogsofinstagram #dogs #doggydaycamp #instagood #socute #dog #dogsdayout #doggydaycare #fyp #photography #photooftheday #virginia #animal #pet #petstagram #pup #puppy #baby #babygirl
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Who do you think will win?
#healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #happyhalloween #costume #halloweencostume #costumecontest #dog #dogs #doggydaycare #dogsofinstagram #instagram #doggydaycamp #socute #instagood #pup #puppy #baby #babies #daycare #dogsdayout #photography #animals #animal #sterlingva #virginia #fall #autumn
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Who do you think will win?
#healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #happyhalloween #costume #halloweencostume #costumecontest #dog #dogs #doggydaycare #dogsofinstagram #instagram #doggydaycamp #socute #instagood #pup #puppy #baby #babies #daycare #dogsdayout #photography #animals #animal #sterlingva #virginia #fall #autumn
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Ok, so maybe Lola and Leo aren’t celebrities, but we will treat them as such while in our care. #rockville #dogcelebrities #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #dogs #chihuahua #dogsofinstagram #instagram #chihuahuasofinstagram #doggydaycare #doggydaycamp #beveryhillschihuahua #socute
Ok, so maybe Lola and Leo aren’t celebrities, but we will treat them as such while in our care. #rockville #dogcelebrities #healthyhoundplaygroundrockville #dogs #chihuahua #dogsofinstagram #instagram #chihuahuasofinstagram #doggydaycare #doggydaycamp #beveryhillschihuahua #socute
Walker Blue gives the BEST hugs
#dogsofinstagram #goldenretriever #healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #healthyhoundplayground #love #dogsofinstagram #dogs #dogsdayout #dayinthelife #doggydaycare #doggydaycamp #daycare #puppylove #puppy #baby #babies #bestdayever #socute
Walker Blue gives the BEST hugs
#dogsofinstagram #goldenretriever #healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #healthyhoundplayground #love #dogsofinstagram #dogs #dogsdayout #dayinthelife #doggydaycare #doggydaycamp #daycare #puppylove #puppy #baby #babies #bestdayever #socute
Every day in doggy daycare is a good day!
#socute #dog #dogs #dogsofinstagram #healthyhoundplayground #healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #instagood #doggydaycare #doggydaycare #dogsdayout #dogsdaily #fyp #babies #socute #videooftheday #dayinthelife #daycare
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Every day in doggy daycare is a good day!
#socute #dog #dogs #dogsofinstagram #healthyhoundplayground #healthyhoundplaygroundsterling #instagood #doggydaycare #doggydaycare #dogsdayout #dogsdaily #fyp #babies #socute #videooftheday #dayinthelife #daycare
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