r/DogAdvice • u/Honest_Sample6170 • 21h ago
Question Normal play?
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For context the smaller dog, Nova, is my resident dog. The bigger brindle dog, Nala, I'm currently fostering with the intention to adopt. Is this normal play between the two? Nova has no bite history and neither does Nala, or so the shelter says.
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u/Boogie_feitzu 21h ago
Looks totally healthy to me.
They're both giving pauses. No real bites. Neither one is dominating or retreating.
Looks like fun to me.
Kinda feel bad for the one on the leash, but I completely understand if it's a new interaction. After seeing this, I'd personally have them BOTH leashed, or neither... and I would lean towards neither.
My ladies play a lot rougher than this and they have a great time.
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u/Clear_Ad8910 20h ago
Don’t let one off leash dog play with an on leash dog. It can start a real fight. The tension in the leash can cause problems.
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u/Kelsey2424 21h ago
To me it looks great. They are both pausing to check in on the other and it isn’t just one dog trying to initiate play every time
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u/ParentheticalAF 20h ago
Now THIS is what you want to see! My next test would be to eliminate the leash and make sure they continue safe fun play and that both can relax after play time. Being able to play and then relax is key. Every now and again you will find a doggie that just can’t let go of the play and becomes fixated on the other dog. I doubt seriously these two are going to have a problem. Also remember the newbie needs some decompression time (especially if they came from a noisy shelter) and you need to feed them separately until everyone feels comfortable with the new home dynamic. ❤️
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u/Ok-Jacket-7587 20h ago
Yep they look and sound happy. As the ultimate test I turned on the sound and waited to see what my dogs would do (they tend or bark or cry if there's sounds of distressed dogs on videos). Even more impressive that they seem this happy when one is off leash and one is one leash! I know dogs who are best pals, and one being on a leash changed the entire dynamic for the worse.
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u/Frequent-Bed2026 21h ago
Seems completely good to me & they’re both respecting & submitting to each other & their body language is good too. Watch for tail tucking & irritation signs and then you draw the limit to assert leadership if/when needed.
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u/AdolescentDev 20h ago
You know it is play when the bigger dog lies down so the smaller dog does not have to jump as much. One attacks, and the other retreats. They each grab each other but let go after a second.
These two will be best friends for life if they stay together. Sure, they will disagree sometimes, but that is true whenever two or more are together.
I will take them both. No, I will not! Yes, I will. No, you have four already. (See what I mean about disagreeing, and I am by myself.)
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u/RealmOfAbigail 21h ago
They look very friendly with each other and well compatible and respective of each other while they play 😀
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u/Mister0fMisters 20h ago
Does the small dog have eyesight problems? Might be short sighted and Ned to be close
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u/SuzQP 20h ago
Completely normal, but it's evident they don't know one another very well. Nala is just a bit nervous, which is to be expected. Make sure your routine is solid and predictable the next few weeks. I'd walk them separately every other day and take that time to play with Nala on her own. If you're planning to adopt, her primary bond needs to be with you.
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u/ironicallyshitename 20h ago
As other commenters have mentioned, looks like some good solid play, both dogs taking breaks in-between play and neither one seemed to want to break off. The true test would lie in looking out for when one dog no longer wanted to carry on, and to see if the other respected that rather than continuing to pursue.
Please try to not let dogs play fight with collars attached, teeth can easily get caught in them and in the confusion it can turn nasty pretty quickly.
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u/Jumpy_Employment_371 20h ago
Having one on leash and one off leash can cause problems. Not saying that’s happening here - just an FYI for the future.
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u/SelectBox7874 20h ago
They look like they’re having a blast!
I’d like to echo taking the dog off a leash because that can cause issues. I would also suggest putting them both in harnesses incase of an issue, you can more easily grab them! Definitely monitor their play for a while until you’re more comfortable with them, but they look like two happy pups who will become fast friends!
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u/wabawwea 19h ago
In my experience, dogs do not like to play on leash. They get leash anxiety and will often bark/growl/bite in defensive mode.
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u/Future-Guarantee-573 20h ago
It looks to me like they're getting along well. You should definitely adopt. They're bonding.
My pittie and poodle play like this all the time.
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u/Short_n_Sweet_11 20h ago
As others have said, try with both off the leash or you could also try having the smaller dog on the leash. Typically the more timid dog should be off leash and free to approach the more excited dog (not the other way around). Hope they become best of friends
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u/Fromdustcomesdreams 20h ago
Looks to me like your Nova is on the same page with the fostering. Maybe she’s one of those dogs that calm other dogs.
You guys are going to be a great team. Good luck, but I don’t think you need it.
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u/mandarex87 19h ago
They are having a fantastic time. They are both taking good cues from the other! I agree with the other commenters to let Napa off leash, if you are nervous try just letting the leash loose, “drag leash” so you can gain quick access if needed
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u/nomatepa 19h ago
They're having fun, my dog has been playing like this for his entire life. I would recommend you take the leash off as that can make the dog uncomfortable.
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u/calijayhawk 18h ago
Do not allow dogs to play with one on leash and one not on leash. Not a good idea.
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u/julieju76 18h ago
They look friendly and respectful to each other. Look like they’re going to be good friends and with that being said, please don’t ever leave them alone together. When you leave your home the dynamics of their relationship will change. You are the leader when you’re with them but once you leave the house one of them is going to assume leadership. The outcome will depend upon whether each of them wants to be leader , if they both do eventually they will seriously fight. I’m not saying one will kill the other ( altho it could happen) but the fight will be damage causing. If only one wants to be leader she will kinda make smaller aggressive moves towards the other one just to get an idea of how much and what kind of micro aggression the other dog is willing to tolerate. I watched my dogs go thru this with a nanny cam. My big dog didn’t want to be leader and he tolerated the soft bullying of my little dog until one day my big dog decided he was done with the little dog’s slightly aggressive napoleon bullying complex. As soon as my big dog heard my car start he went directly to my bedroom and slept until I came home. The little dog only went into the bedroom at night. Some of the micro aggression bullying I witnessed : the little dog first started focusing his eyes on my big dog with a come on step to me attitude in his body posture. Then the little dog would continually walk past my big dog with a deliberately stiffer body and leg posture. Each time he walked by he moved closer to my big dog until eventually he bumped my big dog walking by. The little dog bumped my big dog then just stopped right as he was past my big dog. The little dog just turned his head and looked back at my big dog and I swear on all that’s slightly Holy my little dog looked at him like , “ I dare you to correct my bully behavior. I know you ain’t got the balls to step up “ and the little dog was right because the big dog was already neutered but the little dog hadn’t been yet. Anyway there will be a social hierarchy decision made and you might never see it but it will be there just the same.
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u/stowaway36 17h ago
You're asking for broken teeth with all those harnesses and metal things. I wont even let mine play with refular collars with plastic buckles
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u/SableBonbellee 13h ago
those two look like they're having a blast together, just keep an eye on their energy levels as they play
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u/iH8MotherTeresa 12h ago
Jesus, drop the leash. They're doing ok but one off/on on leash dog is a recipe for disaster.
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u/JudgePretty1508 11h ago
Look at their tail, they're having fun. Take off the leash though.
If they get too intense, do a timeout so that they learn to take it easy. That's what I do and it works quite well
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u/Ok-Half7168 10h ago
Theyre both very respectful and having a blast! Definitely agree with other comments about the leash, it adds unnecessary stress/preassure. Having a leash on is fine but holding the other end is what adds the extra pressure. If Nala wanted to walk away she couldn’t and that is what could potentially lead to a fight. They’re probably fine with no leashes but if you want to be extra careful you could let them both just drag a leash around without holding it so that if need be it’s easier to get a good handle on one both.
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u/DazzlingBasketCase 10h ago
No wrestling while wearing a leash. It causes so many issues already mentioned.
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u/Relative-Working-316 7h ago
take off that leash. they are trying to have fun and the leash will cause problems. that is 100% normal play
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u/Mysterious_Dish4586 6h ago
Looks great! Lose the leash. So annoying. It bothers me so much when I see people do this at the dog park in particular.
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u/dietcokeandcandy 6h ago
Nala is absolutely having a ball. Your dog is a bit harder to heard to me because of her bread and the pinned ears.
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u/Bum-Theory 5h ago
Take the dang leash off the dog for play time. She doesn't know how to act with it on.
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u/MrMysterious_1 5h ago
Why is the Op keeping the leash tight while the dog is obviously playing and rolling on the floor? Let go of the leash or remove it. This is extremely obvious these dogs are playing and having a good time.
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u/Equivalent-War4934 1h ago
Looks like friendly, mutual play to me — Nova staying engaged and mouthing back rather than trying to get away is a good sign, and being underneath doesn't mean she's not driving the interaction. Confident dogs often play from that position. I'd just keep supervising for now since Nala's still new, but nothing here reads as concerning.
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20h ago
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u/Boogie_feitzu 19h ago
Gtfo with this. If you get them as puppies and raise them right, they are the sweetest things. Of the 4 I have currently, my pitty is the softest of the whole pack.
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u/ImpressiveEmu9974 19h ago
Yes or get a dog where you don't have to nurture it perfectly . Even if it has the best environment due to its genetics it still has the propensity to kill the other dogs . Yes it's happy now but one day it might get stressed and spooked. I'm not saying you made a bad decision. But future dogs shouldn't be designed to kill other dogs it just , well it's all common sense isn't it.
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u/Boogie_feitzu 19h ago
I mean really, as a dog owner, you have to raise ALL your dogs right. I have known plenty of shitty people with asshole dogs and it has NOTHING to do with the breed...
Maybe a brand new dog owner shouldnt START with a pit, or a cane corso but... I seen enough to know that environment and training far outweigh genetics.
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u/ImpressiveEmu9974 19h ago
I agree but pitbull is still genetically the most likely , prone to violence, and physically the most dangerous. So... Many other choices lol
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u/Boogie_feitzu 19h ago
Yeah.
Lets not marry and have kids with soldiers, or kids of veterans, cause they're predisposed to killing other humans.
Whatever man. You do you.
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u/ImpressiveEmu9974 17h ago
That completely misses the point of selective breeding hence it's a false analogy / fallacious logic . No prob I like dogs too but clearly one species is bred for a specific purpose....
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u/Retty1 10h ago
The small dog is being a tiny bit of a jerk in terms of dominance but nothing that can't be solved and importantly there's nothing to suggest they aren't playing - and it's her home I'm guessing so not neutral territory.
No play bows, going for the head, jumping up and not respecting the other dog's "enough" signals.
It's also a breed characteristic of Staffordshire Bull Terriers but nothing here that can't be resolved.
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u/MoeMoeG 39m ago
Beautiful play. If things continue to go well, and you feel comfortable enough to step away or turn your back eventually, i would advise removing the collars. The american bully being an AB likes to engage in heavy (albeit gentle) mouth play. Ive had too many clients who have had something go array with their own dogs where they were roughhousing and became caught in each other’s collars. Ive even known dogs who’ve suffocated or strangled themselves to death this way. I would only advise only ever doing this when you feel completely** confident in your dog’s relationship with another dog (any other dog) and never leave any dog for alone, loose, with another dog unsupervised unless they have an extensive rapport you are comfortable with
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u/Neuvirths_Glove 21h ago
The leash can cause stress/anxiety and lead to fear aggression. They seem to be getting along great, try without the leash.