Rough Play Fight Compatibility

[ziggyboy]

Is it important to match the play fight "style" of a second dog?

Reason I ask is that my gf has an active but very friendly female Lab. Mimi is hyper but on dog parks seem to always get dominated by other dogs and does not play like, say, Huskies do when they growl and look like they're actually fighting.

I'm looking at getting an Elki, and also considering a Husky but Youtube videos show that they play very rough, at times causing their playmates to yelp and cower in corners when they do. My gf is really worried about this and does not want Mimi to yelp every 15 minutes because the new pup is always playing too rough. It's understandable though.... I wouldn't want Mimi to be unhappy too...

Also, does it help that Mimi is female and I intend to get a male? Would males generally be less confrontational when play fighting with females or not?

Many thanks!

[Esky the husky]

First off, I'd be looking at getting a dog that suits you otherwise then worry about play style.

My husky girl has lived with other dogs and I found they adapted to each other quite well. She got along particularly well my sister in laws boxer. But she did annoy father in laws dog, who is some kind of kelpie mutt. He is very focussed on the ball and will sit staring at you waiting for you to chuck it. Esky would paw and sometimes even jump on him, trying to get him stirred up and make him run again.

From my experience husky play involves a lot of bitey face, butt bumps and running really really fast :laugh:

That said don't get a husky if you don't understand the breed.My girl might get on with most labs out and about, but obedience wise they are lightyears apart

[ziggyboy]

First off, I'd be looking at getting a dog that suits you otherwise then worry about play style.

My husky girl has lived with other dogs and I found they adapted to each other quite well. She got along particularly well my sister in laws boxer. But she did annoy father in laws dog, who is some kind of kelpie mutt. He is very focussed on the ball and will sit staring at you waiting for you to chuck it. Esky would paw and sometimes even jump on him, trying to get him stirred up and make him run again.

From my experience husky play involves a lot of bitey face, butt bumps and running really really fast :laugh:

That said don't get a husky if you don't understand the breed.My girl might get on with most labs out and about, but obedience wise they are lightyears apart

Hi thanks for your feedback. I have been doing intensive research on the Husky and Norwegian Elkhound and have been in touch with breeders of both.

I think the issue here is that I am after a totally different type of dog than my gf. I guess now the question becomes "Do I find a gf whose dog preference is similar to mine?" LOL just kidding....

[kyliedelonge]

My boy adjusts his play to the dog I put him with. He prefers rough play, but if the other dog is small or a puppy or just doesn't like it, he won't rough play. Dogs work things out.

My older dog is dog reactive, and has never played with another dog before and they go crazy together.

[Katdogs]

I'm going to be twee and say a dog is forever, girlfriends aren't always :D so get the dog for you.

Dogs usually do work things out. If you get a puppy boy, you might find the Lab girl adjusts quite well. They'll always need some supervision for the first few months anyway.

I'm a bit concerned for your gf's Lab though. My Lab is usually the one who plays too rough!

[huski]

You have to make sure your dog learns how to play appropriately with other dogs and when and what play is acceptable. Lots of dogs that play too rough are dogs that haven't been taught how to interact with other dogs appropriately or how to read when another dog says they aren't interested. I have my young very high drive dog with two older dogs who aren't interested in play and she had to learn how to behave appropriately around them. If you put the work in at the beginning to teach them how to behave how you want them to, then you won't have any problems :)

[corvus]

Within reason. Some breeds 'whisper' and some breeds 'shout'. The ones that shout are sometimes just not great at recognising whispers. It can lead to problems. I think it's fair to pay some attention to compatibility. Particularly because first impressions can last and if you aren't skilled at reading body language and micro-managing interactions it can sometimes be difficult to overcome those first impressions if they were negative. I would think you'd be okay with a Lab if it is well socialised as they are pretty resilient. What you are seeing at the park isn't necessarily Mimi being dominated as such. She might just like being on the ground. She could be self-handicapping or putting other dogs at ease.

We find husky play to be in general very full on. My boys seem to like it, but we see a lot of dogs that don't. I think that means that if you want a social husky at the dog park you need to really work on being able to call him off when he's playing and keep a sharp eye on things to make sure he's not scaring another dog. My Lapphund looks a bit like a husky and we have had that many dogs fire up at him and the owner explain apologetically that their dog doesn't like huskies. Too many to count, so I gather it is not uncommon. Have you thought about a Lappie? They are kind of like a toned down, more biddable version of a husky or elkie. Might make a good compromise. Our Lappie was a compromise because at the time I wanted a large breed but had a small and frail corgi, so we went for a smaller breed for her. Best decision ever. He is a very likable dog. Everybody loves Kivi. He's definitely got a spitzy streak to his temperament, though.

[Staffyluv]

My boy adjusts his play style to the dog he is playing with.

Today he had a full on rumble with a lab (their play style suits each other very well and they will play and run with each other as long as we let them).

Then he had a play with two 6 month old stafford pups - he laid on the ground for most of the play and the pups jumped all over him.

He also had a very gentle meeting with a baby cocker (so incredibly cute - I just fell in love with her, she was so soft).. She spent most of the time sitting under his chin while we watched the advanced obedience demonstration.

I hope you find a suitable match for your home.. I think well socialised dogs learn what is acceptable play and what is not but that is not to say that a dog can't learn to be gentle if need be.

[dotdashdot]

My dally girl is very adjustable to playing with different dogs. I think you will find that you could bring a pup up to behave appropriately around different dogs.

Cleo (my dal) lives with an old Stafford x lab. The old dog can't keep up with Cleo but they have a little play session every afternoon where there is a bit of bitey face and roly poly.

Then at my parent's house we have an even older lab girl and a young mini schnauzer (about Cleo's age). Cleo never bothers the old lab, they are light years apart and it seems that Cleo respects her (the lab is going deaf and is prone to "senior moments")

The mini schnauzer loves to play with Cleo, they run and roll and Cleo adapts to his bitey leg game, by biting his moustache.

We don't let her play out and about much because I've just had a few too many little dogs go off at her, one crossed a road to attach her, and I would hate for her to finish something that they start. So she only plays with "safe" dogs that I know the temprement of.

[aussielover]

My lab girl seems similar to yours. She isn't overly interested in other dogs and prefers to play with her toy or ball. She often gets dominated by other dogs- she seems to attract humpers as I think they know she won't do anything to stop them (I end up pulling them off her).

We are currently living with a young GSD who has quite a rough play style and wants to play most of the time. They get along fine, but my lab does have to have her time out from the pup, either in my bedroom or in her crate. Sometimes they play together really well and its fun to watch. Other times you can tell Mindy isn't interested and the dogs need to be separated. Unfortunately she's not the type to tell the other dog off when she's had enough so it does take more effort and management from me.

Personally, I wouldn't get a GSD based on what i've seen with this dog, it is very hard to train and seems to have no real interest or drive for food or toys, its primary interest is my dog.

I've heard spitz breeds are similar in that they can be hard to find a motivator and are strongly independent so you might want to think about it.

Having said that my lab girl plays really well with a sibe she is friends with, but it is different when you live with them.

I think in the end it is more to do with the owner/trainer than the dogs though

[❤LovesPoodles❤]

My huskies are great with my toy poodle they adjust to her play style. Generally just laying there with her jumping all over them doing bitey face games lol.

[Odin-Genie]

Is it important to match the play fight "style" of a second dog?

Reason I ask is that my gf has an active but very friendly female Lab. Mimi is hyper but on dog parks seem to always get dominated by other dogs and does not play like, say, Huskies do when they growl and look like they're actually fighting.

I'm looking at getting an Elki, and also considering a Husky but Youtube videos show that they play very rough, at times causing their playmates to yelp and cower in corners when they do. My gf is really worried about this and does not want Mimi to yelp every 15 minutes because the new pup is always playing too rough. It's understandable though.... I wouldn't want Mimi to be unhappy too...

Also, does it help that Mimi is female and I intend to get a male? Would males generally be less confrontational when play fighting with females or not?

Many thanks!

I have an elkhound and a golden retriever. My elkhound often has play dates with his litter brother and they play typical Elky style. But his play with my goldy is different. When my Elky meets timid or smaller dogs, he changes his play style and would often sit own and play. If you manage a puppy well and socialise it properly with your gf's lab, I'm sure play style won't be an issue.

And from personal experience, Elkies are really special

[The Spotted Devil]

My Springer plays soft and submissive with all dogs - it's her natural playing style. But with my Dally she is quite feral! Bites his legs, bares her teeth, wrestles on her hind legs, springs off his shoulders and barks and growls like a thing possessed :laugh: The Dally modifies his playing style also - lots of wrestling on his back legs with Dal bitches but more play bows and a softer side with the Springer. He is just fantastic with puppies - just lies on his side whilst they jump on his head :)

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

My huskies are great with my toy poodle they adjust to her play style. Generally just laying there with her jumping all over them doing bitey face games lol.

Huskies and a Toy Poodle? I hope they aren't left unsupervised together.

[huski]

I used to leave my husky with our chi cross alone together and did so for years without any issue.

[alpha bet]

We run off lead social classes for dogs and have been doing so for over 10 years - I know I'm going to get a lot of owners here upset - however there are breeds that are harder to socialise than others (there are always the individuals within breeds who fit outside the norm).

Huskies and staffy breeds are the two that require more monitoring in class than others. Huskies in particular are always in the face of any new dog joining the classes and take longer to get them to settle and adjust their play to suit a wider variety of dogs - they prefer to have the play rough and at their level.... running into and leaning over the withers of other dogs is common. It always surprises me when I go to dog parks that owners of huskies often seem to think their dogs are fine and just playing - yet rarely do they seem to have much control over their dogs. When you watch the other dogs and owners there is a very different story, often people suddenly pack up and leave.

Don't assume that the play will sort itself out.... some dogs (particularly huskies) need to learn respect and their owners need to learn how to control their dog.

[iBoz]

For those that say their dogs adjust their play styles to suit different playmates - is this something that you had a hand in teaching your dog or do they just seem to do it naturally?

I ask because it's something mine doesn't always do naturally (e.g. this laying down and letting puppies all over them err, nope - haven't seen it here!) but I would love to teach him! :)

He's quite good if a dog doesn't want to play at all but if they give off playful vibes then it's on - size no barrier!

Obviously, I know it'll be about training but I was wondering whether someone has been able to teach their dog and then their dog monitors their own play for the most part even if they didn't do this previously :)

[kima]

My dog (Stafford) adjusts his play style to other dogs but its not something we ever actively taught him. He will go from romping and body slamming style play with other staffords to playfully batting his paws at an Italian greyhound and letting it jump on his back.

[dee lee]

I think it's admirable that you are considering a dog that will match your GF's dog.

My Goldie doesnt like playing with other dogs much & gets bothered by boisterous insistent dogs. It would be her idea of hell if I brought one home to live with her!

No suggestions, just a big thumbs up for your efforts!

[❤LovesPoodles❤]

My huskies are great with my toy poodle they adjust to her play style. Generally just laying there with her jumping all over them doing bitey face games lol.

Huskies and a Toy Poodle? I hope they aren't left unsupervised together.

I wouldn't have a problem leaving them alone together but for her safety she is kept separate if we are out. Accidents can happen so it's a risk we don't take all it takes is for her to be stepped on or something. She is only 2kgs! When we are home though we don't have a problem with them being outside if we are inside :)