Rough Play.

Did you know?

If you rough house or slap box, play tug of war or keep away, you are teaching your puppy/dog that using his mouth, his strength/stamina, body and his teeth is how games are played.

Although he is small in size and a little clumsy now, in no time he will grow into a fully mature animal. A dog at full maturity is faster, stronger and more cunning than you may think. It does not matter if he is a Monster Mastiff or a tiny Chihuahua. Not only may you get hurt (accidentally) but a small child in your family, your wife or a stranger can as well. This type of play is fun for humans, but to the dog, it is a game of competition and battle of the wills. You are activating his prey drive, possessiveness, excited dominance and aggression. If someone gets bit, in most cases you will blame him. Remember, in most dogs, there has to be a winner and a loser.

Dogs who engage in this type of play tend to be more demanding, use their mouth to get your attention, jump up and grab you, are more nippy, more mouthy and more dominate in social initiation and interaction