Dog Interactive Behavior:

What message are you sending?

Can you recognize dog interactive behavior? It can be a fascinating topic. As humans, we tend not to pay too much attention to dog behavior as it relates to playing and learning. We're more interested in teaching obedience, enjoying their companionship and having fun with our dogs.

Puppies and other young animals both tame and wild, use play as experimentation and learning. Through play, they discover dog interactive behavior. They learn about non-verbal communications that can bring affection or start a fight.

Their play-fights, or roughhousing, among their littermates strengthens them and teaches them how to protect themselves and fight with their competition and their enemies.

This learning experience carries over to human-dog interactions. Whenever you play with your dog, to your pet you are using dog interactive behavior. They read your actions as they relate to their own. It's important, therefore, to know what messages you're sending.

Puppies are as susceptible to stress and agitation just like human children. If you get too rough with them over an extended period, they can become angry and strike out. Excessive roughness with your dog can lead to aggressive behavior that requires correction.

In short, you want to avoid over stimulating your dog (and your children).

Make sure that play is kept to the puppy's level of skill, strength and comprehension. You want your puppy to trust you, and if you repeatedly hurt him during play, he will have difficulty establishing that trust. This is all part of the dog interactive behavior mentioned earlier.

You'll want to consider your puppy during play to see if he is tiring, becoming frantic, or trying to bite you. You'll be able to tell when things are getting too much for your puppy when his mouthing becomes bites. This is a sign that he is becoming frustrated or upset by the game.

Once again, dog interactive behavior comes into play as you bring a halt to the activities.

Stand up, fold your arms and turn your back on your puppy. This sends the message that you have lost interest. It's how dogs break up from a fight or tense situation.

As you turn, instruct him in a calm voice to relax, or whatever phrase you want to use. Just be sure to use the same verbal command every time or he will not understand your intensions.

Of course, you'll want to praise him. It's difficult for some dog owners to leave things on such a cool note. When he's relaxed, you can return to him and offer a quick belly-rub to assure him that everything is okay between you. At this point, you can continue with less strenuous play to teach him that not all play is harsh and painful.

Roughhousing is important to your puppy's development. It teaches him how to protect himself, how to get on with other dogs, and how to get catch his prey. Never forget the importance of dog interactive behavior next time you play with your puppy.

(Close this window to return to the articles list)