Serious playing?

[JGuitaristR]

Sometimes I'm playing with my dog, she's about 1.5 years old, a black/white Lab/irish setter mix. Ya know, throwing the toy or pillow around, moving really quick so she can't bite me. I don't mean to make her mad, but I guess I do because she gets serious with me as if I'm another dog and she's fighting. Serious bites and growls. But she always comes back to play. I just don't know what to do! Any suggestions? THANKS ,

-BR/L

[lovemymaltese]

Maybe you should firmly say no and stop playing with her awhile when she does that. Or maybe you are playing too rough. I know that my parent's terrior used to do that as a pup and we would stop playing and then play again in 5 minutes or so, he would just get too excited. I hope that helps.

[Dixieland Dancer]

Originally posted by lovemymaltese
Maybe you should firmly say no and stop playing with her awhile when she does that.

GREAT ADVICE!!!

[ChrisAK]

If you don't want her to get that way, don't play with her that way.

It's normal to want to establish pack dynamics when playing. This is what she is doing. When you notice her getting "puffed" up, you stop playing rough, and she'll calm down with you.