Is Your Dog A Bully?

We all know about bullying when it comes to school, work and even having bossy friends, but did you know that dogs can bully, too? Old-school trainers often label this behaviour as 'dominant', which we all know by now is utter bully-poop.

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Balanced Play

There are three main ways that dogs play with one another, and all should show balance.

Chase

This game is when one dog chases another. Generally they curve in an arc around the owners (so if you're watching big dogs play, stand with your knees slightly bent as they often run into you) and show off how agile they are with quick turns and direction changes.

A balanced chase game should have the dogs taking turns. Dog A will chase Dog B, have a small break then Dog B will chase Dog A.

Wrestling

This game is when two dogs of a similar size rear up and use their arms, chests and heads/mouths to wrestle each other to the ground. Most people see this as an aggressive act as they can look vicious while wrestling. This is why you don't see it very often as most owners intervene and pull the dogs apart. The dogs learn that if they play another game, they get to keep playing, if they play the wrestle game then they have to stop.

A balanced wrestle game is when the dogs take turns. Dog A will wrestle Dog B to the floor, have a break then Dog B wrestles Dog A to the floor.

Floor Wrestling

This is when dogs of two different sizes roll around wrestling on the floor. This can also be stage-two of wrestling between same-sized dogs. Once Dog A wrestles Dog B to the floor, they wrestle on the floor before having a break.

Balanced floor wrestling is when the dogs take turns being on top. Dog A is on top of Dog B, have a break, Dog B is on top of Dog A.

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Un-Balanced Play

So what happens when Dog A and Dog B don't take turns? Sometimes, it's not a problem. Let's say that Dog A loves to chase other dogs and Dog B loves to be chased. These two would stay in one zone (Dog A chasing Dog B) and wouldn't swap. This is fine, because their play styles compliment each other.

Let's imagine that both dogs love to be chased, they'd begin trying to tease each other to get a chase-reaction. This could end one of three ways: (1) the dogs lose interest in each other because they're aren't being chased. (2) Dog A gives in and chases Dog B, hoping Dog B will return the favour when it's their time. (3) They annoy each other so much that they have a scrap. Option three is very rare, but if one dog is a bully where they try to force their play style on another, this can happen. Dog B tries to leave as they aren't getting chased, Dog A refuses to let Dog B leave.

This can be applied to any of the play styles. Have a Boxer? They got their name from their love of wrestling. Although they enjoy chasing, too, their passion is wrestling and they can be very boisterous when trying to encourage wrestling from other dogs.

Are the dogs wrestling on the floor? When Dog A is on top and Dog B tries to get up, does Dog A let him or not? When Dog A keeps Dog B underneath no matter how much Dog B struggles, Dog A is being a bully.

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Scraps

Scraps are less serious than fights and tend to occur during these bully phases. Dog A is bullying Dog B, who may give up due to learned helplessness (see our article 'Stop Bites Happening - What Is Your Dog Trying To Tell You?') or Dog B gets annoyed that Dog A is bullying them. Dog B will then have to increase their signals to get Dog A off, and this becomes a scrap.

If you see a dog being a bully, don't be afraid to move the dog away - even if it's not your dog. In the floor wrestling scenario, simply move Dog A (who is on top) off Dog B before the scrap can happen. You can tell if Dog B wants to get up because they will go still for a few seconds, then wriggle. Dog A should then move and let them up, but if Dog A wrestles them back to stillness then Dog A is being a bully.

Explain if you must to the owner that their dog is being a bully. Don't feel helpless yourself, feeling that you might upset the other person by physically moving their dog (grabbing their collar or harness is the safest way). As soon as Dog A is clear of Dog B, let it go. You're teaching Dog A that the fun stops if they bully, if they take turns and let Dog B up, the game continues.

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Adimus Dog Services LTD

We feel that dogs should be allowed to enjoy their playtime, and socialise with dogs of all shapes and sizes. Dogs that bully other dogs without human intervening learn that they can use their size, power, personality or lack of bite-inhibition to bully other dogs without any consequences. Just like people, some dogs enjoy that rush of being able to bully another. The problem with this is that dogs they see on a regular basis will remember they're a bully and not want to play and they can meet other bullies who don't like being bullied themselves, so scraps are more likely to happen.

Dogs who are bullies end up getting in more scraps, and eventually don't get to play at all because other dogs and owners avoid them. This is no fun for the dog, and it's not their fault they've learned that they can be a bully. It is your responsibility as it's owner to teach them what acceptable play is.

We can help you learn what balanced and unbalanced play looks like and how you can intervene safely and effectively teach your dog what allows play continue and what stops it.

Don't be afraid to use a long line (a really long leash, not the retractable kind) when your dog is playing with other dogs. That way, even if they're a distance from you, you can stop them from bullying by reeling them closer to you and away from the other dog.

Book a session with us to begin your dog's journey on learning to play happily with others.