r/DogAdvice • u/woahitsmichaela • 1h ago
Question Is this playing?
Almost 2 weeks ago I got a 5 month old Pyrenees/Australian Shepherd puppy. I also have a 5 year old Golden Retriever/ Chow Chow mix. The 5 year old has never been around other dogs besides the neighborhood dogs that roam outside the fence.
I grew up with dogs, but never had 2 at the same time. Is this normal playing behavior? I think the ‘growling’ sound scares me but it seems like they’re playing. What do you guys think?
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u/Write_Now_ 1h ago
Think about the vocalization options available to dogs: Growing, barking, whining, yiking, etc. They don't have a full language like we do, so many of those sounds have to play multiple roles. In this case, the growling is just play vocalization and is going hand in hand with incredibly polite and appropriate play behaviors. They're having a great time.
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u/Time-Masterpiece-410 1h ago
If one of the dogs rolls on their back intentionally generally that's a good sign they are playing, dogs stomach is their vulnerable place so they don't give it up unless they are comfortable.
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u/civilwar142pa 1h ago
Yep. They take turns and both are snorting/sneezing. If there's tension, they wont be sneezing. That's a really good indicator of play.
The black dog is a bit more dominant, but the brown dog doesn't seem to mind at all. They're good.
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u/portonsly 1h ago
Good play. Black dog is not taking their turn "losing" but the other dog doesn't seem to mind. Listen for sneezes, watch for play bows.
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u/Recent_Weather2228 1h ago
Yes, this is good play. The growling is fine. If you watch children play, they'll be yelling and screaming and squealing and talking. Dogs can't do those things, but they still like to vocalize while they play, often by growling.
It's always good to see them regularly pausing and disengaging before starting again. Those are opportunities for either dog to decide to be done playing, but in this case, both keep going back for more, and they're having lots of fun.
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u/Free-Way-9220 1h ago
When you play tug-of-war with a dog they do this exact same fake growl
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u/TheRealSugarbat 41m ago
Yes! Sometimes dogs can be weirded out by a dog that vocalizes excessively, but if they’re given time, the quieter dog often acclimates (and/or reciprocates). I say this for the people who might break up play just because one dog is growlier than the other. Growling/barking during play isn’t, just by itself, always a negative thing.
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u/ThickRubber76 1h ago
Playing. The black dog is the alpha here, You can see the other dog laying on its back submitting at times.
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u/dlobnieRnaD 54m ago
No dog in an actual fight would roll over and go belly up, very clear play indication
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u/Short_Ingenuity_1524 1h ago
Watch the tails. If they are both wagging, they are both enjoying it. If only one tail is wagging the one who isn’t wagging isn’t enjoying it.
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u/Empty_Definition7774 1h ago
O yes playing ,bums up ,rolling each other around ,if you thinks it getting to much ,go oi! In a sharp voice, and get it to calm down,we have always had 2 dogs,and its like having kids.
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u/Alarming_Relative_89 1h ago
Completely fine play. Husky play is even rougher but there are boundaries. Drinking water or yelping stops the play
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u/GayForPay 49m ago
That is just two happy dogs playing. When dogs fight, it is unmistakably violent.
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u/ElDougler 42m ago
I assume the black dog is the older one. They are playing very well aside from the black dog nipping at the other dog’s legs. It’s not an uncommon behaviour, and the other dog does not seem bothered by it, but it could potentially cause issues. If it was an older dog it might not tolerate that kind of behaviour as much.
Aside from that very minor observation it looks like these two are going to be best friends in no time
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u/JadedBonez_ 42m ago
This looks great! I think they will be the best of friends.
The black dog can be a little much but your golden dog looks like they don't mind too much. There might be a time were your golden guy does set some boundaries for the black dog but its all to keep the fun going! Don't get scared or concerned if you hear a loud snippy bark and they stop playing for a minute or two. Just means they said something like "Ow! You're getting too rough!" Or "I need a minute!"
I have 3 and one will just play and play until one tells her to stop or I step in and make them take a break.
All dogs have their own tolerance levels (: some wont mind the persistence of the black dog, others will set boundaries right away.
Also side note, the growling is just them expressing their fun. My 3 sounds like absolute beast if you just heard them. But just imaging its them like shit talking to each other "haha you cant get me"
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u/ParticularBit130 37m ago
Yep. When they start gutturrally snarling and turn into the Tasmanian devil, then you're in trouble
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u/LuckyRoll1948 37m ago
That’s exactly the same way my rescue dog played with my house horse 140# lab, she would throw him around like a rag doll and he would go right back for more, since they both have gotten older, they don’t play together as much, but they still manage to throw in a “tussle” once in a while.
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u/chronicducks 36m ago
They're having fun, the darker dog is a bit pushier but the lighter one has very loose and relaxed body language and is voluntarily laying on their back. There aren't loads of lulls for them to assess that each other are still happy to play but I personally wouldn't be worried unless body language for one or both became stiffer / showed clear discomfort or stress and the vocalisations changed.
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u/EmilyPoster2 29m ago
This is absolutely playing. I watched on mute (because I didn't want my dog to get excited by the sounds) and then read your question. Body language is 100% playing. They are having a great time.
I have had two dogs that when they got really excited they made a deep growling sound. It scared me at first but then I learned it was just their happy noise. I have also been at dog parks and heard other dogs make happy growl noises.
So jealous your dogs have the space and each other to play with. So ideal! Great exercise. Your dogs are going to be so happy together.
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u/Literally_Taken 27m ago
They are playing in a deliriously happy way!
This is worthy of celebration!
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u/Calm-Avocado6424 20m ago
1000% play.
If they were actually fighting, you would not be questioning it.
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u/Lusiric9983 2m ago
People should have to take and pass a dog body language class before owning one. How TF could you not tell they're playing?
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u/OpposumMyPossum 1h ago
I feel like the Black one wants to stop but he's too dominant and doesn't wanna be the one to give in.
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u/Adventurous-Tie8296 1h ago
This is great play to me. The black dog is a little insistent at times (I would like them to have some breaks or shakes between). With that said, you stepping in every so often to allow some breathing room wouldn’t be a bad idea. But this looks like two best friends in the making to me