How to Create Better Playgroups Instantly
What is one thing you can do in your playgroups today that would help ensure all the dogs are having fun? Match the right dogs in the right groups!
What is your favorite game to play on family vacation? A lengthy and strategic game of monopoly? A fast paced, animated game of Pictionary? A slow, methodical game of chess? We each have our own idea of what we consider fun, and we all know how painful it can be when we have to play a game that we don’t particularly enjoy. The same is true of dogs.
There are 4 different types of dog playstyles discussed in Off-Leash Dog Play
Neck biting – These dogs mouth the neck and face of other dogs when they play. This is often a form of wrestling done while laying on the ground and rolling around one another. Naturally, these dogs have great bite inhibition, as they don’t leave punctures, just lots of slobber.
Chasing – Chasers enjoy running after other dogs and/or they love to be chased. The sport of running is fun for these dogs.
Body-slamming – This is the “bull in a china shop” These dogs play hard and physical. They have a high tolerance for pain and don’t seem to mind running into people, other dogs, or even walls.
Cat-like – A calmer, quieter type of play, the cat-like playstyle involves batting at dogs gently with the front feet. Often these dogs will also play by spinning in quick circles and leaps around another dog.
Just like people, most dogs have a primary game or playstyle preference. This doesn’t mean they won’t use another style of play, but usually they have a default based on their temperament.
There is no perfect playstyle. Playstyles aren’t important because some are good and some are bad. Playstyles are important because dogs need to play with other dogs that are an appropriate playstyle match.
I love a good board game, but making me play charades is not much fun. Some of my other friends love Pictionary, but since I really can’t draw I find that game rather frustrating. Our preferences aren’t right or wrong, but they do help to determine the best choice of game and it’s much better if we can find a game that we all enjoy. Dogs are the same.
Some behaviors you don’t want to see regardless of playstyle.
- Pinning – Anytime one dog repeatedly pins another dog to the ground, you should intervene. This is usually not fun for the dog being pinned.
- Rolling – Any dog that repeatedly is body-slammed hard enough to be rolled over is usually not having fun. Intervene to prevent this from continuing.
- Non-stop play – Even if two dogs have well-matched playstyles, if they don’t take breaks every few minutes you should intervene. Play that goes on for an extended period of time without interruption is likely to become a problem.
A dog who loves neck-biting may not enjoy calmer, cat-like play. And similarly, the cat-like dog, may really dislike being body-slammed. For pet professionals offering off-leash play services it’s not enough just to evaluate the dog and say he’s a good, social dog who enjoys off-leash play. Now you have to put him in the right group of dogs. This is one of the flaws with dog parks. Even if you have really social dogs attending the dog park, they are usually put in one large group and you end up with too many different playstyles together. Some of the dogs will usually end up unhappy.
