Peak playing!
This is the best part of having 2 dogs, they entertain each other instead of looking to you for 100% of their entertainment.
I usually look for signs that they're playing like [sneezing](https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/why-do-dogs-sneeze/) and licking, and chasing, all looks civil!
I feel so lucky that they have fun with each other. I'm studying for a board exam, and when it was just my girl blue I felt so guilty (even with daily walks/ball play) when she'd come into my study area and just put her paw on my knee.
My husband recently got a job out of the house all day and he was so worried how I'd manage at home studying now with TWO dogs and I don't want to jinx it but it's been a breeze. They go out, play, come inside and sleep, rinse repeat until bedtime!
Fostering heelers was the best thing we could do for our heeler. Wait until you walk into the room and one of them just stares at you weirdly with the whole head of the other in its mouth...
I have a GSP, and when my brothers GSP comes to play, looking over and seeing random body parts in various mouthes is pretty standard. When they're not outside chasing anything that moves, that is.
Came here for this! The sneezing is the biggest give away. I'll also add that if each dog keeps coming back for more, it's a strong indicator that fun is being had lol.
I noticed the herding dog during a pause lick the darker one. Licking is supposed to be a sign of submission. Is the dark one coming on a little strong?
My pup and his "cousin" play pretty rough sometimes, and back when they were losing teeth they would occasionally bleed on each other, we were very concerned the first time 🤣
100% playing. You’ve got sneezing, alternating who’s the attacker, breaks, tail wagging, licking, sniffing. All good stuff there. You’ll know if they fight because it’s sudden and rather terrifying. You wouldn’t be sitting there filming it.
As long as dogs make that snuffing/ sneezing sound they’re playing. That’s how they tell each other it’s playing. When one stops doing so the other knows to either back off or go into fight mode themselves
That looks like they're getting along great!
One thing to look for are those moments when they're playing rough and both suddenly stop and take a stiff body posture. It looks tense to us, but from what I understand it's how dogs check in with each other. It means they're communicating well.
That being said, sometimes even when my pups are just playing it can get rough enough I worry about accidental injury and break it up. So don't feel bad about shutting things down or enforcing a break if it looks like things are getting too rough.
One of the cues I learned with play wrestling or the "biting game" is that they take breaks. If they are taking little breaks allowing each other to breath and rest while they are "fighting" it's a sure sign it is play motivated.
This is definitely play. Here's a [link](https://imgur.com/a/BecfGhF) to screenshots I took of the video explaining how you can tell it's play.
I'm not an expert by any means, but do work with dogs at a private dog park and am in charge of monitoring dogs when they play and separating them when necessary.
Playing, but it is rough, not a play style compatible for all dogs, but these two are having fun and they look like they can and have disengaged successfully when they need a break
One way you can tell that they're playing is that "sneezing" thing they do. They use that to communicate that it's just play and no hard feelings. Also if their mane on their back isn't puffed up like crazy they are just in casual mode.
Look at the tails up and slightly wagging, look at how they're both coming back for more, look at their respective energy levels, look at the lack of bloodshed :)
I have been a student of animal behaviors for many years, I am an autodidactic learner who deep dives odd topics relentlessly and shoves almost pointless information wherever it will fit in my brain. This is all to the best of my knowledge - I am not qualified to give you definitive advice, if you see the wisdom/sense in it then consider reading or researching further.
The blue mix is play bowing, not nipping and allowing the red heeler to play, right up until about 16 seconds in. Red heeler goes for a nip that actually connects and the growl becomes a little less controlled. Blue mix steps back, no longer signalling play, red heeler sneezes to initiate play again, then licks to reassure. They then resume play. You can see the blue mix getting slightly over the red heeler and kind of leaning the side of her face into the neck while making this mock nipping motion and giving a soft bark. This is super normal as far as I can tell, the blue mix is teaching the red heeler how to play - in general, teaching how to play with her specifically, and affirming the loose heirarchy that either age or being established in the home gives her. Probably both. I would say it is very beneficial, will probably morph into something a little less anxiety inducing over time and will help both puppers to accomodate each other and burn that working dog energy.
Things to keep in mind - Red heelers are bred to chase, nip and herd. Find out what you can about discouraging those behaviors healthily. Honestly, pairing the red up with a calmer older dog and letting them play (like you have) is a step I would take on this front, but the last thing you want is a pupper that causes misery in its own life because no one ever trained it not to do what it's biology is telling it to do.
Red Heelers are great with people and families, they are good guard dogs, gentle, playful and energetic, but they can have difficulties interacting with unfamiliar dogs. It may be worth considering a well thought out approach to socializing it with unfamiliar dogs. If you have a friend with a big gentle dog that plays well with other dogs, then carefully at first, letting them play together could be a good first step. The following is not a dig at you, just a strong personal feeling about animal ownership and the responsibility owners have to keep their own dogs safe. The dog your dog bites, after it nips and gets a violent reaction, will probably be ok, but your dog could get put down.
Hope this wasn't entirely useless to you. Good luck with your beautiful pups.
People on dog subs will literally post a video of two dogs playing monopoly and be like “it looks ok but I’m worried they might actually be fighting??” 😂 Very sweet to want to make sure they’re ok but sometimes I genuinely can’t understand how they think it’s a fight
Aww they are so jumpy, like little girls skipping around playing tag in a field. Very cute. I think the way they stop and let each other take a break also indicates playing.
Sneeze is the big indicator. My heeler does the same if she’s comfortable with other pups. If it’s a new pup and is a little aggressive her liking she slams them down meaning Stop! They’re a dominant breed but a loving breed❤️
Playing, maybe a bit rough, or frustrated/overstimulated. Do they get out to a bigger area to play? It looks like they want to play chase but just quite can't in that space.
100% play, and having a blast with each other!
I have a red and a corgi and I have to sometimes calm the red down because she's much stronger and more dominant than our stumper, but they still get in rounds of bitey-face without hurting one another constantly!
Not a veterinarian here but after years of having herding breeds, once the all powerful butt hammer attack is unleashed you are into serious playtime!
Well that and no blood are both good clues. 🕵️♀️
Having two dogs is the way to go.
Or more. At your own risk. ⚠️
Playing for sure! They each take turns being the chaser/chasee ‘you’re it!’ (good!)
Bodies relaxed and tails wagging (relaxed low wagging good! -high stiff wagging not so good!)
Taking (micro) breaks!
Showing bums (aggressive dogs don’t turn their backs on the enemy!)
Although…if you see that they stop ‘taking turns’ and one of them is ‘it’ more than the other, give them a break to calm down because it’s always possible one might take it too far if they are riled up!
Remember! Heelers can play pretty rough and often don’t know when to stop when they are having a good time. They need humans to keep an eye on them so they can be told (and learn) when to call it quits.
And also, just like humans, even best buds can get pissed off when one of the buds takes mucking around too far.
My dog is loud af like this one. Totally playing, just a wierdo
[example. dunno who socialized this dork when i adopted him lmao](https://imgur.com/a/svEGuso)
Disclaimer: i adore him
We have a Dalmatian and a mutt and they play just like this outside. If you’re not looking right at them it sounds like a dog fight. Then they come in and cuddle and play on the floor. If they get separated thw Dalmatian (big baby little brother) just cries the whole time.
Playing. They’re taking turns, checking in, the dark one disengaged for a tic, and the red backed off and offered a sneeze. Happy dog body language. It’s rough, but they’re playing. :)
Playing! My boys do that too! You can tell because they separate and then go back at it. Fighting would be louder and sounding aggressive. They also wouldn’t be backing off.
Definitely playing. If it were anything more one of them would whelp out in pain. The other dog then needs to make an apology by whinning in a high pitch tone and showing submission. A real dog fight is unmistakeable.
Playing and this is how mine also does it. I thought she was crazy when I first met her. Also, I love how I always kind of thought I might have some ACD mix dog, but it was more of a random suspicion and since I stumbled upon this sub and see all these pictures and the behavior and stuff, I’m just fairly certain
Those vicious goblin noises are the sounds of a dingo having a heckin good time 😹 my girls all sound absolutely demonic when playing. That’s how we know it’s a good game!
Yes this is just plain if it was not playing there would be yelping and blood, my dogs play a lot rougher than this and they're bigger than this granted I would watch out because they don't pay attention so they might crash into you and other things and sometimes I'm surprised my dogs don't have concussions, cuz they get to plain and literally just run into stuff more focused on each other than where they're going
Playing. If it wasn’t, one or both would need a trip to the animal hospital.
Unfortunately, some other breeds don’t understand this, and go into a whimpering hysterical panic when a heeler goes into linebacker mode and knocks them down while pinning them to the ground.
You can tell they’re playing because they run away but keep eye contact to make sure the other is participating. They’re more so taking turns being the aggressor. My boy is 54 lbs and looks like a hyena so when he plays rough it looks scary as all hell but when you know what to look for you can tell
Tails up not running away from each other good signs, nips and big growls over something stupid like a rock. Watch for toy aggregation, ours plays with our 5lb chihuahua they play. With a new toy we let heeler alone with the toy and pick it up if both are outside.
Definitely playing. We'll call it elevated playing. They know their bite strength so if it wasn't play, body posture would be different, they would have ears pinned back and they would not have periods of time where they stop and sniff.
Def playing. I work with dogs (daycare and boarding), and this was completely healthy play behavior. Like, almost textbook. They're not actually making contact with their teeth, and if you watch close it's more like a dance of give and take. One retreats, the other follows, and then they switch equally. They also stop for a break naturally, about as long as we'd let a play between two new friends go, just long enough so it doesn't start to be unfun for either party.
Tldr: Good play, great doggos!
Edit: Need my glasses apparently, wrong dog breed.
My son had a red heeler and a blue heeler. The bigger red heeler liked to pick on her smaller blue heeler and stir stuff up. Would turn into a fight and smaller blue heeler would always win the fight. Over time it got more and more violent. Blue heeler would kick its ass.. Mind you the little blue heeler never started it but always finished it. Blood. Not good. That's how I got my first heeler. My son had to split them up so I took the blue heeler. Most brilliant, tough, loving, dog ever. My current one is just a goof ball. I guess fun is fun till one gets pissed off. Monitor them. Let them play but be ready to brake it up. An angry heeler is tough to handle.
if you watch the video on mute, it's perfectly polite and in sync play behavior! They're going back and forth with their movements and when your blue got a little overwhelmed, play immediately stopped and they both showed calming behaviors (like the little sneeze!) and then your red went in for a check in to make sure that they were still friends! This is perfect play and these guys are best friends, they're just vocal which is totally normal for some dogs, especially heelers :)
Definite playing. Mine seriously pin each other down during bitey face. But you will know when it isn’t playing the sounds and body language are unmistakable.
Yes they are living their best lives! Good ol game of bitey face….. A Heeler favorite and classic LOL They seem like they are having a blast and at the same time exercising themselves which is always a bonus with these crazy Australian Goblin Wolves
I watch two dogs that play so 'aggressively' that I'm worried the neighbors are going to call someone 😅 they growl so loud and look scary but I know their body language and they know when one or the other wants to stop. It does look crazy though
I think the sneezing is the biggest sign of playing. They’re telling each other it’s just play with that queue. Mine growl at each other and people always thing they’re fighting 🤣.
Hear those sneezing sounds? I’ve read that it’s an “I’m still just playing” sound they give each other so that they don’t think the other is being overly mean.
You might be worried about the vocalizing but that is just play sounds. Notice how they come together and go apart the bouncy body language the pauses and checking in with you. Neither dog is being pushed out/prevented from the center space.
Looks like fun, neither seems to be trying to walk away or asking to stop it.
We have a big red and a small terrier mix who play and the red boy will always come running to me when he's had enough so I can remind the younger pup to chill for a bit.
Maybe it’s just me being exposed to more than a lot of people but these posts always make me laugh. They are barely doing anything and people think it’s possible fighting. I’ve been around pit bulls (and jack Russel’s surprisingly) where they would absolutely destroy each other to the point blood would be pouring out and you need a break stick to even get them off each other.
You can clearly tell the difference of play or when they are serious. These 2 dogs are barely even touching each other
The black one is giving calming signals and the red one is ignoring it.
It looks like play, but it's not. It's hard to say exactly what the issue is because you can't see the body language prior to what you're showing here.
Peak playing! This is the best part of having 2 dogs, they entertain each other instead of looking to you for 100% of their entertainment. I usually look for signs that they're playing like [sneezing](https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/why-do-dogs-sneeze/) and licking, and chasing, all looks civil!
I feel so lucky that they have fun with each other. I'm studying for a board exam, and when it was just my girl blue I felt so guilty (even with daily walks/ball play) when she'd come into my study area and just put her paw on my knee. My husband recently got a job out of the house all day and he was so worried how I'd manage at home studying now with TWO dogs and I don't want to jinx it but it's been a breeze. They go out, play, come inside and sleep, rinse repeat until bedtime!
Fostering heelers was the best thing we could do for our heeler. Wait until you walk into the room and one of them just stares at you weirdly with the whole head of the other in its mouth...
My ACD mix does this with her GSP playmates. Just mouth open as wide as possible nomming eachother.
I have a GSP, and when my brothers GSP comes to play, looking over and seeing random body parts in various mouthes is pretty standard. When they're not outside chasing anything that moves, that is.
My Texas Heeler will absolutely envelop the head of my sister's jack russel terrier when she is visiting. It is hilarious to watch them play.
Yeah ... Just got a new puppy and haven't used the phrase "get your head out of his (my older dogs) mouth for fuck sake" so many times in my life....
I'm glad my Dogs aren't the only strange ones here lol
Man……I never want to live in a big space until I hear of stuff like this
Came here for this! The sneezing is the biggest give away. I'll also add that if each dog keeps coming back for more, it's a strong indicator that fun is being had lol.
this one’s new to me. how is sneezing a good clue??
Sneezing is a dog's way of saying this is just play.
They also taking lots of little breaks, then reengaging.
I noticed the herding dog during a pause lick the darker one. Licking is supposed to be a sign of submission. Is the dark one coming on a little strong?
That's just them playing a good old round of bitey face.
Classic Australia.
We call it “head in mouth” at our house because our aussies head is usually in our German shepherds mouth.
I’d love a picture or video of this
Playing. You can tell because you’re not at the vet :)
I was going to ask if there was visible blood loss. If no, they are playing.
My pup and his "cousin" play pretty rough sometimes, and back when they were losing teeth they would occasionally bleed on each other, we were very concerned the first time 🤣
Haha -- Got me to chuckle :-)
This made me lol
Beat me to it.
100% playing. You’ve got sneezing, alternating who’s the attacker, breaks, tail wagging, licking, sniffing. All good stuff there. You’ll know if they fight because it’s sudden and rather terrifying. You wouldn’t be sitting there filming it.
Playing. You can tell by the sneeze
Do they intentionally sneeze when they are happy?
As long as dogs make that snuffing/ sneezing sound they’re playing. That’s how they tell each other it’s playing. When one stops doing so the other knows to either back off or go into fight mode themselves
That looks like they're getting along great! One thing to look for are those moments when they're playing rough and both suddenly stop and take a stiff body posture. It looks tense to us, but from what I understand it's how dogs check in with each other. It means they're communicating well. That being said, sometimes even when my pups are just playing it can get rough enough I worry about accidental injury and break it up. So don't feel bad about shutting things down or enforcing a break if it looks like things are getting too rough.
Just looks like two Happy Heelers to me lol.
I thoight the house next door was on fire.
Same😂
Yeah, WTF is going on there?
Yeah I need an update on that situation!
Ya know how they pause and sneeze? That’s communication, that’s like “yeah we’re playing this is great” Sneezing is a great indicator of intention.
One of the cues I learned with play wrestling or the "biting game" is that they take breaks. If they are taking little breaks allowing each other to breath and rest while they are "fighting" it's a sure sign it is play motivated.
This is definitely play. Here's a [link](https://imgur.com/a/BecfGhF) to screenshots I took of the video explaining how you can tell it's play. I'm not an expert by any means, but do work with dogs at a private dog park and am in charge of monitoring dogs when they play and separating them when necessary.
Omg this is amazing!!! Thank you so much.
Yep they are just goofing off
Playing and having an absolute ball! 🥹 Omg I needed to see this so much today ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Playing, but it is rough, not a play style compatible for all dogs, but these two are having fun and they look like they can and have disengaged successfully when they need a break
Haha awesome dog party :)
One way you can tell that they're playing is that "sneezing" thing they do. They use that to communicate that it's just play and no hard feelings. Also if their mane on their back isn't puffed up like crazy they are just in casual mode.
Rough play but pretty mirrored between them. I would watch out for future imbalances of energy or health.
This is consensual play!
LOL! RIP your lawn! :-)
Heelers gonna heeler. Definitely play
That is how Heelers play!! No problems.
Look at the tails up and slightly wagging, look at how they're both coming back for more, look at their respective energy levels, look at the lack of bloodshed :)
Play, they are taking turns being the “aggressor”
Can we have more videos of them playing ?
I think their tails are good indicators too. Their tails are happy. But can’t explain it.
Def playing. Does your neighbors house always look like it's in flames?
They love it, and we love watching them hop around like little popcorn kernels! ❤️
I just adopted an ACD to join my current ACD mix and I can only hope they have this much fun together!
Definitely playing. Some dogs, especially cattle dogs play rough. Your dogs pause and check in with each other.
I have been a student of animal behaviors for many years, I am an autodidactic learner who deep dives odd topics relentlessly and shoves almost pointless information wherever it will fit in my brain. This is all to the best of my knowledge - I am not qualified to give you definitive advice, if you see the wisdom/sense in it then consider reading or researching further. The blue mix is play bowing, not nipping and allowing the red heeler to play, right up until about 16 seconds in. Red heeler goes for a nip that actually connects and the growl becomes a little less controlled. Blue mix steps back, no longer signalling play, red heeler sneezes to initiate play again, then licks to reassure. They then resume play. You can see the blue mix getting slightly over the red heeler and kind of leaning the side of her face into the neck while making this mock nipping motion and giving a soft bark. This is super normal as far as I can tell, the blue mix is teaching the red heeler how to play - in general, teaching how to play with her specifically, and affirming the loose heirarchy that either age or being established in the home gives her. Probably both. I would say it is very beneficial, will probably morph into something a little less anxiety inducing over time and will help both puppers to accomodate each other and burn that working dog energy. Things to keep in mind - Red heelers are bred to chase, nip and herd. Find out what you can about discouraging those behaviors healthily. Honestly, pairing the red up with a calmer older dog and letting them play (like you have) is a step I would take on this front, but the last thing you want is a pupper that causes misery in its own life because no one ever trained it not to do what it's biology is telling it to do. Red Heelers are great with people and families, they are good guard dogs, gentle, playful and energetic, but they can have difficulties interacting with unfamiliar dogs. It may be worth considering a well thought out approach to socializing it with unfamiliar dogs. If you have a friend with a big gentle dog that plays well with other dogs, then carefully at first, letting them play together could be a good first step. The following is not a dig at you, just a strong personal feeling about animal ownership and the responsibility owners have to keep their own dogs safe. The dog your dog bites, after it nips and gets a violent reaction, will probably be ok, but your dog could get put down. Hope this wasn't entirely useless to you. Good luck with your beautiful pups.
People on dog subs will literally post a video of two dogs playing monopoly and be like “it looks ok but I’m worried they might actually be fighting??” 😂 Very sweet to want to make sure they’re ok but sometimes I genuinely can’t understand how they think it’s a fight
You’ll know when they aren’t playing
Aww they are so jumpy, like little girls skipping around playing tag in a field. Very cute. I think the way they stop and let each other take a break also indicates playing.
Sneeze is the big indicator. My heeler does the same if she’s comfortable with other pups. If it’s a new pup and is a little aggressive her liking she slams them down meaning Stop! They’re a dominant breed but a loving breed❤️
Yes
Absolutely playing!!
Ours do this in the living room -- we call it "the arena"
Perfect game of bitey face
It is the dingos game of choice
This explains a lot about my dingo dog x BC mix!
Playing. You can tell because they “sneezed”— a telltale sign a dog is play fighting.
Playing. And having a blast.
Tails are up and they are sneezing at each other. Def just playing
The attack and retreat is great play. You have some great boofs there!
Playing, maybe a bit rough, or frustrated/overstimulated. Do they get out to a bigger area to play? It looks like they want to play chase but just quite can't in that space.
100% play, and having a blast with each other! I have a red and a corgi and I have to sometimes calm the red down because she's much stronger and more dominant than our stumper, but they still get in rounds of bitey-face without hurting one another constantly!
Yep, this is how my ACD and her cousin play. You can tell it’s not play when there’s blood 🫠
Not a veterinarian here but after years of having herding breeds, once the all powerful butt hammer attack is unleashed you are into serious playtime! Well that and no blood are both good clues. 🕵️♀️ Having two dogs is the way to go. Or more. At your own risk. ⚠️
It's on the aggressive side, but yes.
And the little kiss at the end. So cute.
You’d know if it wasn’t playing…
Playing for sure! They each take turns being the chaser/chasee ‘you’re it!’ (good!) Bodies relaxed and tails wagging (relaxed low wagging good! -high stiff wagging not so good!) Taking (micro) breaks! Showing bums (aggressive dogs don’t turn their backs on the enemy!) Although…if you see that they stop ‘taking turns’ and one of them is ‘it’ more than the other, give them a break to calm down because it’s always possible one might take it too far if they are riled up! Remember! Heelers can play pretty rough and often don’t know when to stop when they are having a good time. They need humans to keep an eye on them so they can be told (and learn) when to call it quits. And also, just like humans, even best buds can get pissed off when one of the buds takes mucking around too far.
My dog is loud af like this one. Totally playing, just a wierdo [example. dunno who socialized this dork when i adopted him lmao](https://imgur.com/a/svEGuso) Disclaimer: i adore him
Why is there molten lava on the other side of your fence
I'm concerned about that fire in the background!!
Nice balanced play.
Playing and having a fun time. A dog fight would have fur and blood flying.
Cattledog play
They're playing tag. It's ok.
You will know when it ain’t playing.
We have a Dalmatian and a mutt and they play just like this outside. If you’re not looking right at them it sounds like a dog fight. Then they come in and cuddle and play on the floor. If they get separated thw Dalmatian (big baby little brother) just cries the whole time.
Playing. They’re taking turns, checking in, the dark one disengaged for a tic, and the red backed off and offered a sneeze. Happy dog body language. It’s rough, but they’re playing. :)
Hahah you can tell hey are having fun cause they keep shoving each other's asses in each other's faces. .
Playing! My boys do that too! You can tell because they separate and then go back at it. Fighting would be louder and sounding aggressive. They also wouldn’t be backing off.
Looks like some dorks having a blast to me! 😜
Playing, you can tell because they both look happy af
Tails up. Scruff down. Playing
Playing, one would be latched on to the other if it was fighting.
It may sound mean but it is just playing. You can tell when they calm down and separate the red heeler goes over and sniffs/licks your blue heeler ❤️
Adorable playing. Have you told your neighbour their garden is on fire though?!
Definitely playing. If it were anything more one of them would whelp out in pain. The other dog then needs to make an apology by whinning in a high pitch tone and showing submission. A real dog fight is unmistakeable.
Well….it looks fun…
I thought there was a fire in the back
Playing and this is how mine also does it. I thought she was crazy when I first met her. Also, I love how I always kind of thought I might have some ACD mix dog, but it was more of a random suspicion and since I stumbled upon this sub and see all these pictures and the behavior and stuff, I’m just fairly certain
They’re having a ball!
Yep, my Cattle Dog mix plays like this with both other dogs and us (at least with us, you hear his play growl, no nipping)
yeah the sneeze says "just playing"
Those vicious goblin noises are the sounds of a dingo having a heckin good time 😹 my girls all sound absolutely demonic when playing. That’s how we know it’s a good game!
Absolutely playing a game of bitey face.
The attack and retreat is great play. You have some great boofs there!
First one to nip the other’s heels wins
Such play.
Playing! I didn't let mine play with other dogs at dog parks until I realized she just plays like a shark
Yes this is just plain if it was not playing there would be yelping and blood, my dogs play a lot rougher than this and they're bigger than this granted I would watch out because they don't pay attention so they might crash into you and other things and sometimes I'm surprised my dogs don't have concussions, cuz they get to plain and literally just run into stuff more focused on each other than where they're going
Playing. If it wasn’t, one or both would need a trip to the animal hospital. Unfortunately, some other breeds don’t understand this, and go into a whimpering hysterical panic when a heeler goes into linebacker mode and knocks them down while pinning them to the ground.
Looks like play to me. They even paused to check in with each other.
That's how acds play, scary at first but it is what it is.
Excellent playing.
Oh they are definitely having fun, the happy tails, sneezes, and brief pauses are huge giveaways
I love this!! My heeler and my shepherd/husky mix play like this all the time. My heeler likes to go for his brother’s “chicken leg” when they play. 😂
Look for tail wags
100% play.
Yes
You’re very lucky to have two dogs that play well together! My two ignore each other, but if they played that would be more exercise for them both
You can tell they’re playing because they run away but keep eye contact to make sure the other is participating. They’re more so taking turns being the aggressor. My boy is 54 lbs and looks like a hyena so when he plays rough it looks scary as all hell but when you know what to look for you can tell
Definitely playing. No raised hackles, no snarls and growls, lots of bouncing and wagging tails. Just having a good ol’ time in the fresh air!
Play.
Tails up not running away from each other good signs, nips and big growls over something stupid like a rock. Watch for toy aggregation, ours plays with our 5lb chihuahua they play. With a new toy we let heeler alone with the toy and pick it up if both are outside.
Definitely playing. We'll call it elevated playing. They know their bite strength so if it wasn't play, body posture would be different, they would have ears pinned back and they would not have periods of time where they stop and sniff.
Funnest play! I could watch this all day 😄
100% playing. Let them burnnoff that energy
Big time play
They do play a bit rougher than other breeds
If the tail wags, it's play. If the tail is tucked or pointed, it's not play.
Def playing. I work with dogs (daycare and boarding), and this was completely healthy play behavior. Like, almost textbook. They're not actually making contact with their teeth, and if you watch close it's more like a dance of give and take. One retreats, the other follows, and then they switch equally. They also stop for a break naturally, about as long as we'd let a play between two new friends go, just long enough so it doesn't start to be unfun for either party. Tldr: Good play, great doggos! Edit: Need my glasses apparently, wrong dog breed.
My son had a red heeler and a blue heeler. The bigger red heeler liked to pick on her smaller blue heeler and stir stuff up. Would turn into a fight and smaller blue heeler would always win the fight. Over time it got more and more violent. Blue heeler would kick its ass.. Mind you the little blue heeler never started it but always finished it. Blood. Not good. That's how I got my first heeler. My son had to split them up so I took the blue heeler. Most brilliant, tough, loving, dog ever. My current one is just a goof ball. I guess fun is fun till one gets pissed off. Monitor them. Let them play but be ready to brake it up. An angry heeler is tough to handle.
Ye
They can do it real quick but each dog usually bows down in the beginning of play. Bow, it’s on
They're having the time of their lives!
Yes play
Herding dogs play rough - which is why you don’t see them at dog parks too often. As long as they are taking turns it’s all fine.
I think if they were fighting they wouldn’t stop to catch their breath.
Absolutely
The sneeze at the end is how dogs let other dogs know they are playing.
Look at their tails. 100 percent goofing off with their bestie. Google two dogs fighting totally different body language.
Hell yes.
Playing
Absolutely playing. My poor pyranees can only take so much aggressive play from my heeler before she comes to me to save her lol!
if you watch the video on mute, it's perfectly polite and in sync play behavior! They're going back and forth with their movements and when your blue got a little overwhelmed, play immediately stopped and they both showed calming behaviors (like the little sneeze!) and then your red went in for a check in to make sure that they were still friends! This is perfect play and these guys are best friends, they're just vocal which is totally normal for some dogs, especially heelers :)
Best friends right there!
Yep. They’re chasing each other.
Yesn't they are
Absolutely playing. And they both seem to be having a blast
Just adding to it... they are playing/bonding and having a great time.
What is the frozen fire in background?
Definite playing. Mine seriously pin each other down during bitey face. But you will know when it isn’t playing the sounds and body language are unmistakable.
That is definitely play..
Attempted murder. It’s the best type of play!
Very cute. Thanks for giving me a smile before I go into my dead end job
Definitely playing!
Yes they are living their best lives! Good ol game of bitey face….. A Heeler favorite and classic LOL They seem like they are having a blast and at the same time exercising themselves which is always a bonus with these crazy Australian Goblin Wolves
Haha, nice play too! If it wasn’t, there would be blood
Playing and being vocal
Yes
That’s 100% play
I watch two dogs that play so 'aggressively' that I'm worried the neighbors are going to call someone 😅 they growl so loud and look scary but I know their body language and they know when one or the other wants to stop. It does look crazy though
Very dangerous playing so close to Mordor.
No blood or fur flying, your good
I think the sneezing is the biggest sign of playing. They’re telling each other it’s just play with that queue. Mine growl at each other and people always thing they’re fighting 🤣.
Hear those sneezing sounds? I’ve read that it’s an “I’m still just playing” sound they give each other so that they don’t think the other is being overly mean.
Sharpening their skills for the real fight!
You might be worried about the vocalizing but that is just play sounds. Notice how they come together and go apart the bouncy body language the pauses and checking in with you. Neither dog is being pushed out/prevented from the center space.
Looks like fun to me. ❤️
If hair isn’t flying they are good.
Looks like fun, neither seems to be trying to walk away or asking to stop it. We have a big red and a small terrier mix who play and the red boy will always come running to me when he's had enough so I can remind the younger pup to chill for a bit.
After extensive analysis I have come to the conclusion that this is two very happy dogs playing together in an appropriate manner
Maybe it’s just me being exposed to more than a lot of people but these posts always make me laugh. They are barely doing anything and people think it’s possible fighting. I’ve been around pit bulls (and jack Russel’s surprisingly) where they would absolutely destroy each other to the point blood would be pouring out and you need a break stick to even get them off each other. You can clearly tell the difference of play or when they are serious. These 2 dogs are barely even touching each other
Yes. Let dog be dogs!!
100% I would say that's playing. IMO there is no doubt.
Is my post attention seeking or not?
The black one is giving calming signals and the red one is ignoring it. It looks like play, but it's not. It's hard to say exactly what the issue is because you can't see the body language prior to what you're showing here.