Are your dogs fighting or playing? Stay peaceful with our tips
For dogs, play-fighting is a great way to expel energy and socialise, but when do romps turn into rage? Watch for the signs below to keep the puppy peace.
We all know how dogs can be: sweet and silly chaos is an essential part of daily life. Having multiple pups can be a relief, as they can play together and (hopefully) not take out their energy on your sofa. Play-fighting is therefore a normal and important part of pup socialising and fun, but how far is too far? Read on to find out what the warning signs of actual fighting and anger are, what you can do to help, and how to keep the peace between your best furry friends.
Here are the first signs that playtime is over, and your dogs are ready to step into the ring.
Body Language
It can be so difficult to tell the difference between fighting and play-fighting because what may seem aggressive to us, may actually just be healthy expressions of energy and instinct. However, there are some signs to indicate higher levels of tension and anger. If dogs are fighting with gentle nips and play bows, they are most likely just having fun and not trying to hurt each other. If you notice raised hackles or harsh biting, this will indicate more aggression from your pups. Dogs that are playing may also have more relaxed posture, and will switch positions of dominance, with them chasing and pouncing on each other equally. Dogs that are fighting will be more likely to have rigid body language, flattened ears, and be keeping eye contact with each other. They may also be slower and more careful with their movements before striking, and be focussed on keeping dominance in the brawl. For more information on dog body language, check out our article on what your dog is trying to tell you.
These physical indicators are often accompanied by vocal cues that indicate play has switched into something more serious. Here's what you should be listening out for.
Vocalisation
Dogs that are having a ball with each other will usually make silly and sociable sounds as they are scrapping, such as light barking and growling. This is very normal, as dogs love to be chatty and express their excitement. They may also yelp or whine as they knock each other about, but it should be quick and accompanied with loose body language. However, clear signs of aggression are often displayed vocally, so keep an ear out for when these noises turn aggressive. You will especially hear this when dogs are keeping their distance, and telling the other to back off or else they'll strike. If you hear low and sustained growling, angry and low barks, or painful and loud yelping as they are fighting, this is a clear sign that it has turned nasty, and they may be in danger of hurting each other as they defend their territory.
So now you know what your looking and listening for, why do dogs fight?
Why Are They Fighting?
There are many reasons why dogs might be fighting, and even pups that have been friends previously may want to square-up every now and again. The most common reasons that dogs fight is because they feel threatened, and want to defend themselves and their territory. This is why most pooches will raise their hackles and bark at other dogs they see, especially if they are at home, as their instinct is to defend their kingdom and their people. It's also why it is so important to take your time when introducing new pups to your household, as most dogs will have their instincts triggered by a new pooch in their space (learn more about introducing new dogs here). Furthermore, many dogs will be prone to resource guarding, as their toys and belongings are key in them asserting dominance in their home. Even pups that are used to being together, or are even best buds, may feel threatened every now and again, and may feel the need to assert themselves. This can be due to changes in the home, familiar dogs smelling or seeming different (this is common after vet visits), redirected aggression, or coming home after being away themselves.
It's all well and good being able to recognise aggression, but it's just as important to know what to do. Don't worry, we're here to help.
Breaking it Up
Knowing when to step in and when to stay out of it can be a tough call to make, so here's our best advice for judging a situation and helping the best you can. If your dogs are showing signs or aggression and fighting towards each other, it's clear they need time apart. Try separating your pups for a while until they cool down and can be friends again. Make sure you're not in danger if doing so, as they may redirect anger towards you. Keep yourself safe above all else. You can also interrupt their focus on each other with loud claps or whistling to redirect their attention, and using familiar commands. If they are repeatedly trying to attack each other, assess what may have changed to be causing this behaviour. For example, is there an external reason for aggression? If so, try your best to remove the stressor to keep your dogs happy. These can be simple things, such as allowing one pooch to settle in and smell like home again in a separate space if they've been away, quieting noisy sounds or isolating pups until it can be quiet again, or allowing a dog that is stressed from illness time, space, and lots of cuddles, to feel comfortable before socialising again.
Now that your pooches are a little more peaceful, you can keep your doggy kingdom calm, and help your pups only fight for fun.
Establishing trust and making your home a sanctuary for your dogs is the best way to encourage less tension. This can come from creating areas where they can be totally alone, such as comfy beds and hideaways. Using a pheromone diffuser can also naturally calm pets, with there even being specific diffusers for multiple pet households. If your dog is more anxious around others, spend time ensuring they know basic commands so you can easily redirect them from other animals. Taking the time to socialise them often with friendly pups will also allow them to get used to sharing space and trusting others. Making sure your dog has plenty to play with also means they can express their instincts more readily, instead of their energy being pent up and exploding in aggressive manners. Using toys to distract pups when they just start to show aggressive signs can also redirect their energy to more playful activities. Keeping your dogs well-fed also helps them feel safe and relaxed, and pups that are comfortable eating together is usually a good sign that they trust each another enough to keep their guards down. As such, there's nothing like a delicious Tilly & Ted meal to keep the peace. We recommend serving up a portion of our Chicken Dinner or Chicken Happy Puppy Meal for a yummy and satisfying meal that's bound to keep tummies happy and friendships strong.
If you want to find the paw-fect meal to treat your puppies to, check out our full range of dog food to find tail wagging goodness for dogs of every shape and size. From chicken-free recipes, to hearty classics, we guarantee your pooches will be feeling paw-some and have the happiest tummies around.
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