Playing or not playing? Serious
Billbones85
England
Hi there. Can anyone tell me what they think the look is when bullies are playing with other dogs? My boy Eric plays well with other dogs I think however the other day he seemed to bite another much older dog of a different breed. However his tail was wagging and there was no growling.
Also when I seem to play fight with him he shows his teeth properly at me. I play on floor with him. Maybe I should stop as I’m not sure if it actually scares him?
What do people think?
Also when I seem to play fight with him he shows his teeth properly at me. I play on floor with him. Maybe I should stop as I’m not sure if it actually scares him?
What do people think?
Comments
But it is hard to tell from your description.
How old is your Bull Terrier?
Did the other dog react in any way that lead you to believe it got (seriously) bitten? Or did you see blood?
Sometimes a bully's tail can look like it's wagging when it is actually full of bad intent.
Oh he bit him. There was a stratch on other dog and i had to pull Eric off. However the other dog was playing rough more than mine. Was litterally about to stop them then it happened.
I'm no expert, but I don't think there is anything wrong with you playfighting with your bully.
I think it's good for the dog and it helps them to learn what is, and what isn't acceptable when playing.
If the other dog was more aggressive, then you can expect your bully to up the ante,
and it's time to go back on the lead.
It is important to watch the entire posture, ears and everything.
Cats, for example, when they are wagging their tail, it means that they are ready to attack - every time they do it!
@Billbones85
Sounds like you had a solid fight. Luckily nothing really serious happened. But that was not just rough play as you tell it. Some people think that dogs should be left alone to sort things out on their own. I personally do not think so.
So, here's just what I do: If a dog goes after mine, I protect her and take her away. She does not have to go through this on her own. If I have any chance to see it coming, we are gone even before anything happens.
On the other hand if my dog shows aggression towards other dogs I stop her and - again - if necessary leave the scene. Why risk anything when the solution is so easy.
My intention is that my dog should be social with other humans, animals and dogs.
Bull Terriers can be tricky when it comes to other dogs. Some of them are just not very compatible. That can even count for dogs living in the same household.
Some of them take attacks and rough play for quite some time. But believe me they show signs. And once they snap, you will have a solid fight, because Bull Terriers don't retreat once they are really mad. If the other owner does not care at all - like it happened once to us with our former dog - you will have to manage two frantic dogs.
I know that about Bull Terriers and I know my dog. She is not much into playing with other furry pals. Other than a quick "hello" she does not care. And if the other one is too bold and all over her, she will quickly feel bothered.
This is what I have discovered after taking her to the dog park to socialize with other dogs when she was a puppy multiple times. It's just not her thing and her tolerance sank the older she grew. I don't care if she is more into fetching balls than other dogs. She can have that.
I would have drawn the same conclusions even if she were bullying others instead of feeling bothered by them.
Maybe just a story for you to think about and watch your still very young one and see how he turns out.