Let’s Play! It is a great thing to have multiple dogs, they have built in play pals! They can help keep each other occupied throughout the day, however, similar-aged dogs who spend hours on end engaged in rambunctious play are at risk for developing an overly rough and tumble play style that *could* have bully-ish tendencies when out with other dogs. Dogs with regular access to rough play with other dogs are also at a greater risk for developing leash aggression. Because they spend so much time engaged in play, they begin to think they should have equal access to every dog they see and get frustrated when leashed out in public, unable to run and greet fellow canines. Barking and lunging out of frustration is the result, and in extreme cases, that frustration turns into aggression. (Think doggie road rage!)
When managing dog-to-dog play, if one dog is always pinning the other to the ground or always the one doing the chasing and never letting himself be chased, their energy and focus should be redirected.
