How do dogs play with each other
Dogs use specific signals like the play bow and facial mimicry to distinguish play from aggression, with outcomes shaped by breed, age, and emotional state.
Dogs signal play through specific behaviors like the play bow, open-mouthed faces, and facial mimicry to distinguish mock aggression from real fighting. This system allows them to engage in rough-and-tumble play without injury, provided the context is maintained correctly.
Signals define the context
Play between dogs often mimics aggressive encounters, involving nipping, biting, and growling, but the intent is entirely different. To prevent these actions from escalating into real conflict, dogs use a range of signals including the play bow, face-pawing, and an open-mouthed play face to invite the other dog to chase. These signals are repeated throughout the session to maintain the context that these actions are not hostile.
Facial mimicry also plays a critical role. This is an automatic response where one dog involuntarily mimics another's facial expressions in less than a second. Play sessions have been shown to last longer when these mimicry signals are exchanged, suggesting a link to empathy and emotional contagion.
Age and learning shape the game
Play is made up primarily of mock fights, a behavior most common in puppies that serves as training for important adult behaviors. While early socialization methods like puppy classes positively influence adult behavior, the symmetry of play is not always equal. Puppies who engage in greater rates of dominant behaviors, such as chasing or forcing partners down, tend to initiate play more frequently as they mature.
This suggests that winning during play becomes increasingly important as puppies grow older. Puppies also learn early to respect older dogs, a dynamic that persists into adulthood. When adult dogs meet for the first time, however, they lack these expectations and will be initially anxious and vigilant until they can predict each other's responses.
Size is less important than you think
Domestic dogs appear to pay little attention to relative size, despite the massive weight differences between breeds. Studies indicate that size is not a predictor of the outcome of encounters between dogs meeting while being exercised, nor is it correlated with neutered male dogs. Instead, differences in motivation and perceived motivation play a much greater role in how dogs interact.
Play with humans is distinct
The motivation for a dog to play with another dog differs significantly from playing with a human. Research shows that dogs in households with multiple dogs only play slightly more often with their owners than single-dog households, indicating that the drive to play with other dogs does not substitute for the drive to play with humans. Furthermore, winning or losing games like tug-of-war does not influence a dog's dominant relationship with their owner; rather, the style of play indicates temperament.
Dogs that engage in rough-and-tumble play tend to be more amenable and show lower separation anxiety, while those that play tug-of-war or fetch are more confident. Conversely, dogs that start most games are often less amenable and more likely to be aggressive. The physiological impact of play also varies: cortisol levels can increase if the play involves control or authority, but decrease during affectionate bonding.
Personality and genetics influence style
A dog's approach to play is influenced by a mix of genetics and environment. While physical traits are about 80% genetic, breed alone accounts for only about 9% of individual personality differences, with total genetic influence on personality traits estimated around 25%. The remaining factors are determined by the environment.
Specific personality traits such as playfulness, sociability, and reactivity can be identified through questionnaires and behavioral tests. These traits determine how a dog initiates interaction and how they react to novel situations, shaping the nature of their play with both conspecifics and humans.