A puppy barking when playing with other dogs is quite a popular sight. Barking during playtime seems to be a puppy’s preferred pastime, almost as if the puppy loves to hear his voice. At a closer insight it’s somewhat the equivalent of children who get too excited during playtime and start squealing and screaming at the top of their lungs. Visit a playground, and you’ll likely hear all those excited little voices. While a puppy barking when playing with other dogs is normal puppy behavior, it’s not a bad idea to learn how to turn the “off switch” when things start getting too rowdy.
Puppy Barking Before Play to “Invite”
A puppy barking when playing with other dogs is using the universal language of dog play which is understood by well socialized puppies and dogs from all over the world.
The barking often starts as an invitation to play. The puppy typically barks repeatedly in a high-pitched tone of voice and the barking is often accompanied by invitations to play such as the typical play bow.
In a play bow, puppies lower the front part of their body and keep their rump in the air, often with the tail excitedly wagging back and forth. Sometimes the play bow is pretty evident, but sometimes it takes place very fast and the puppy doesn’t lower his body much.
Puppy barking invitations can become quite persistent if the other party is not very interested in play. Many puppies pester older dogs to play with them and the barking can be accompanied by pawing if the other dogs doesn’t seem too interested. Sometimes the other dog starts telling the puppy to “stop it” at some point, often with a “look away” and a possible growl or snarl.
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Exposing rowdy puppies to easy going adult dogs can help tone down a bit their play style as they eventually learn that their rowdy play styles gets either nothing or perhaps a correction from the adult. Some dogs trainers have well-adjusted adult dogs which can play the role of adult “moderators.”
Puppy Barking When Playing With Other Dogs
Most puppies eagerly respond to play invitations sent by other pups and soon a play sessions begins. The barking often doesn’t stop here though, most puppies love to continue barking during play and therefore play sessions can become quite a noisy affair.
Some dog owners are concerned when puppies bark and perhaps even growl during play with other puppies and dogs. Many puppies become quite vocal during playtime, but in most cases, these vocalizations are pretty much harmless as long as the both parties are having fun and the language appears bouncy and “loose” rather than “tense.”
Puppy barking when playing with other dogs is usually nothing to worry about. It’s the puppies ways of saying “yay we’re playing!” For some puppies and dogs barking during play is simply part of their play style, in a sort of way, it’s their way to express themselves.
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Many puppies are quite vocal and rowdy during playtime with other dogs but they tend to settle down as they grow and learn more appropriate forms of play. However some types of puppy barking when playing with other dogs need to be addressed.
Interrupting Rowdy Play
Puppy barking when playing with other dogs needs to be monitored. Sometimes things may get out of hand. Yes, some puppies can become little bullies given the opportunity.
If you notice your puppy barking and playing in a too boisterous manner and the other pup is overwhelmed and giving other signals asking the pup to back off (tail between legs, cornered hiding behind owner or objects or snapping) and those signals are ignored, it’s time to intervene and interrupt the play behavior by calling the puppy.
All puppy owners should work on being able to call their puppy and interrupt play as needed.
If your puppy appears overstimulated when he plays with other dogs, it doesn’t hurt to interrupt at times and provide some breaks every now and then. Using a cue to interrupt play and asking for the puppy to come to you and sit for a treat every now and then before being released again to resume play is good idea so to teach the pup some self control. However, if possible avoid becoming a party pooper.
Many dog owners feel the need to intervene when their puppy engages in bullying behaviors such as pinning down another puppy. They grab their puppy by the collar and give a time-out. This however, risks hurting the relationship between dog and owner and may lead to several side effects.
Firstly, by abruptly interrupting play this way, (remember, your puppy is having fun) your puppy learns that you end all the fun. It won’t take long that your puppy comes to anticipate what you are about to do and will play “hard to get.” On top of that, your puppy may come to dislike being grabbed by the collar which can lead to squirming away or even nipping. Some puppies are so excited during play that they inadvertently turn around and bite their owners when they try to to snatch them or grab on to their collar.
When you catch your puppy playing nicely, make sure you make your puppy aware of that. Capture and reward appropriate play so that your puppy receives feedback from you when he engages in appropriate behaviors.
It’s far much better to give breaks before unwanted play behavior takes place and reward appropriate behavior, rather than inserting yourself in the middle of play taking away all the fun.
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