Your thoughts on play fighting

[Hype3R]

One reason I love large breeds is for play fighting a lot of people don't agree on it cause it teaches dogs to be aggressive. My mastiff I started slowly from the time I got him. He is very friendly with everyone. He understands that when I play with him we can go all out but when anyone else plays he don't make a sound. He will growl bark an jump using all his weight to send me flying an will grab my hand or arm an hold it in his mouth applying pressure till I say drop it. My last dog was a rotti/akbash mix he was 150 an stood close to six feet standing on his back legs I did the same with him an he was a very friendly dog but protective at night. I'm just wondering your thoughts with play fighting to hear what some other people say.

 

[TWW]

Not really sure If I agree it teaches aggression, pups do a lot worse to each other.
Most mastiff will read your body language and play accordingly, wish a lot of the purse dog people would learn to read there dogs body language half as well.

Me and Mouse rough house pretty much nightly, he always soft mouth bites, never applies pressure when he grabs.
Pretty sure h knows because I have seen him with a steak bone. ( they break pretty fast).

 

[babyjoemurphy]

My husband does the same. Play fighting is for Linc (EM) and him only. Linc is 8 mos right now so lets just say its not an all out wrestle till your tired YET
We adopted Murphy RIP at 3 yrs old and he learned very quickly "play fight" was with hubby only as well
Our first dog shep/rotti x was 100lbs and it was the same with him. So ya our house has those rules that you have too

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[LizB]

I don't necessarily think it teaches them anything other than how to play with YOU. This means you take care to let him know that he can't just initiate rough play with anyone, and there are rules. This is not terribly difficult to teach. My husband plays very rough with our dogs, in a way that I would never play with them, and when they are small pups they are taught that he is the only one who plays with them like that, and we teach them how to play with kids, other family, etc.

 

[cinnamon roll]

I see no issues with it as long as the dog responds to your commands while playing, understands that this play is only acceptable with you, and doesn't take it too far.

I have always play fought with my dogs and have never had an issue with it.

 

[gilles]

for me it is not recommended, volka can get pretty rough even when playing ...i think it is ok from time to time as long as you dont let him win or dominate or using his mouth.
there are other games you can play.

 

[babyjoemurphy]

I agree about it getting to far. Linc so far just jumps around but not up on my hubby, he more or less bounces. As soon as he starts getting him mouth involved game is over
My husband is a martial artist and loves that he can have a dog that he can rough house with. Linc hasn't won yet. But it is funny to watch lmao

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[alejandro]

I play rough my dogs all the time, i don't let it go to far and they have always understand that is only with me, my current dog (7 months old presa) loves it but don't even try it with my daughter. But also with my past dog (also presa) a got pretty hurt a couple times, not on pourpose but still.

 

[Bailey's Mom]

We do play fight, but she's pretty gentle with Mommy. As for her human brother...bring it on big boy, and yeah...I have to step in and say enough (son is pretty rough, pup can get hurt, too!) Husband winds her up occasionally, but she knows his tone and mine, when play is over it is over.

As for aggression, I don't believe it breeds it, as noted above, the dogs play harder with themselves. I sometimes cringe at how rough they get with each other, but it just remains play, nothing worse.

With strangers, Mastiffs will be Mastiffs, they will guard, they will defend, but they rarely instigate the altercation, they respond to it. Mastiffs don't start the fight (therefore, not aggressive), but they finish it.

 

[AussieGirl]

I love playing rough with my boys but I think that it is just important for the dog to know who is boss and when you tell them to stop they listen. But so long as they stop when told then I really see no issue with it