Dog trainer shares key sign that shows play fights between pets could escalate

IF YOU OWN MULTIPLE DOGS, OR LET YOUR DOG SOCIALISE WITH OTHER DOGS, YOU'LL KNOW THEY LOVE TO PLAY WITH EACH OTHER. 15:34, 20 May 2025Updated 15:41, 20 May 2025 If you own several dogs,

or if your dog regularly interacts with other pets, then you're certainly familiar with how much they relish playing together. Such interactions are a natural and beneficial part of

canine behaviour that builds social connections, hones important skills, and delivers essential exercise as well as mental engagement. When dogs play, they exhibit various behaviours

including chasing, tussling, and gentle biting. Their play is typically marked by obvious cues which set it apart from hostility, such as displaying a calm body language, alternating roles

in games of chase and playful combat, and intermittent rest periods, all signalling their friendly intentions. However, on occasion, the fine line between playtime tussles and actual

squabbles can be tricky to spot. Changes can transpire abruptly, with minor alterations in their demeanour indicating a shift in mood. To help owners recognise these behavioural

modifications and prevent rough-and-tumble from escalating into genuine conflict, canine specialist Cherry Hoggs has highlighted key indicators to look out for, reports the Express. A recent

addition to her Instagram feed, @cherry. hoggs, poses the crucial question: "Would you know if your dog is playing or warning? Article continues below "Knowing your dog is crucial

during any activity but especially off leash and during playtime. This is to keep everyone safe!" To help, she has shared lesser-known signals that might go unnoticed by many. Within a

clip featuring a pair of bulldogs playing in her garden, she said: "Here you can see our two bullies together engaging with each other in a play that could escalate. "You'll

notice the tense wag of their tails, they look as though they're having a stare off, but they're actually avoiding eye contact, and almost sizing each other up." This was the

observation before the encounter between the dogs escalated slightly without them making noise or moving from their positions. Cherry added: "Now here you see their tails completely

stop wagging. Our brindle dog actually turns to walk away and then lays down, the ultimate sign of submission." However, the tension was defused by her other two dogs, which Cherry

explained: "However the key cue here that would often be missed is our two other pack members walk clearly between them to break the play and fixation. The pack is very intuitive and

although we may not always pick up on subtle cues, they always do." To maintain control during pet playtime, it's essential to monitor your pets and be attentive to their body

language for signs indicating their emotions. In Cherry's video, clear indications of a change in mood were when the tails ceased wagging and the dogs started to avoid looking at each

other. In her explanation within the video's caption, Cherry pointed out: "Our opinion is any escalation can be prevented when knowing your dog and understanding, dog

'language'. Obviously somethings can catch anyone off guard but if you think about those situations, did you have full concentration on your dog?" To master the understanding

of your dog's signals and body language, she explained: "If your like us you've developed eyes on the back of your head so it's pretty difficult for any escalation to get

past us. Plus we study our dog every day. Plus every evening we talk through the whole day and our dog's behavior to analyse." Cherry's instructional clip quickly garnered

attention in the comments section, with many commending the dog training pro for her content. "This is amazing. Very informative," praised one viewer, while another added:

"Very cool. I really like these breakdowns on body language. Very helpful." Yet another user remarked appreciatively: " That's amazing! Those two dogs saying 'leave

it!' As they cause a distraction." Article continues below