Dogs Biting eachother in play

[Raech]

I read not to let them play bite. That it leads to other bad behaviors. Anyone else have opinions on this?

[zealot]

i have never heard this at all.

Would be interesting to hear if anyone knows anything about this.

i do know not to let dogs play bite your hands or other body parts, because once they get older, especially big dogs with big teeth, can cause you harm without realising it.
Our trainer always specified that we are not to rough up the dogs and let them bite our hands and arms etc.
Could these be linked?

[Bren75]

never heard of it and I always knew it to be a natural part of play........ that is unless it becomes so bad that they are ripping each other apart and drawing blood than thats different..... but fun bites that aren't hurtful are not an issue in my opinion..... but I am no vet or expert.

[TLI]

I think maybe it's referring to biting in play with humans. And I have heard that is true. They won't learn that it's a bad behavior, and continue it on into adulthood. I think most puppies do play bite, they even do it with their siblings. But I was told, and it worked for me, to give them a toy or a chewie when they are doing it. As far as their siblings go, they will teach them when enough is enough for them. Mama dog will also let them know when they are getting to rough.

[zealot]

I agree Brenda, i also think its a natural part of their playing.

Gordy and Nooshie are always growling at each other and nipping, they barely even use teeth when they are playing.
BUt like you say if it gets out of control then i must agree, it would need to be stopped.

my puppers have mounds and mounds of chewies lying everywhere and that gets the teeth action. So i am not too bothered by the little play fighting sessions at all...

[princess j]

I think it's natural too because they can't touch like we can so they use their paws and mouth to interact. Bianca's always biting the loose skin near Ronin's mouth! There comes a point that I tell her to stop because I don't want her to hurt him. He NEVER bites her. He'll jaw her, but won't actually bite down. He's so gentle with her. :)

[Ivy's mom]

Oh my gosh.....How can puppies play without nipping at each other. Ivy and Willow do it all day long. And love it, otherwise I think one would give up and run away with their tails between their legs. lol!! I think it is just part of play for them. They don't draw blood. Now if they are in a real "dog fight" that would be another story.

Lori

[TLI]

Guess I should have not been in a hurry when I read, and replied. If the play biting is referring to each other, and not with humans, then mine are sure going to have some bad behaviors later in life. They play nip all day long, and have since they met each other. :lol: When they were puppies, and they nipped at "my" hands playing, I always gave them something else.

[zealot]

I have to agree that distracting them with a chew toy when they are biting your hands is a good idea. I believe that they have to learn from small that people hands are not toys...

but when it comes to biting each other i definitely wont stop them unless it is getting out of hand.
I agree with Janice, they interact with each other using their mouths and paws. how else would they play with each other.

And Gordy and Nooshie often ruffle each other up. Gordy puts his mouth over nooshies neck or her ear or her leg but doesnt actually bite down, he just applies some pressure. i have learnt to tell the difference between their serious fights and their play fighting.

[SnugglesandIzziemama]

Snuggles and izzie play bite all the time and snuggles is so gentle with izzie I think she know she is a baby I know Miss Izzie was biting my fingers and I had to break her of that I will give her a nylabone or chew toy when holding her.

[islandbabies]

I, too, have never heard of this. I think interacting like this amongst dogs help them differentiate between biting that hurts and biting that doesn't. Which I'd assume would come in handy if they were playing with humans. Not sure though.

I do know, my kids play bite all the time. They seem to do okay and if they get into a little quarrel it's usually resolved in a matter of seconds. Then it's back to being lovey-dovey.

[Raech]

OK so the book was just vague. Good. Blue tries too the biting the loose neck face skin of Charlie near his mouth. I watch it and break it up at times, as Charlie can yelp and get hurt. In general they are not too rough with each other though. Charlie could really hurt Blue easily if he wanted. I think Blue is clueless. ;-)

[Hercules Momma]

I think most dogs playbite with their buddies. I know my dogs all do it and they never bite down on each other, they make lots of little noises, but that's all part of the fun. of wrestling with each other.