Play fighting with Mikey

[Alysser]

I was wondering if play-fighting is a bad thing to do with Mikey. I'll be blunt, me and him play fight/wrestle alot. He bites me, but it doesn't really hurt and he knows we're playing I think. He seems to be having fun, he's never acted out agressively before. I start it and when I stand up he knows the fights over. He's never dont anything that bad, he bites my hands and wrists althoug sometimes he pulls my fingers and that's usually when I stand up and tell him enough is enough. I was wondering if this would be a bad thing for him in the future. I've heard of people saying it's bad, and some say it shows pack order and all that and is a good thing. So, I'm thoroughly confused.

He's only 2 years old, still impressionable at that, so I was wondering If I should put a stop to it before it gets out of hand. His previous owner have said he's too rough with little kids. He is ROUGH when he fights though, but he does know who is alpha and when the fights over.

[*LabLoverKEB*]

I do the same thing with Rita. But I am going to stop with her, because of her being aggressive towards other animals.
It isn't a good thing to do- but we all do it. It's not good in the sense where someone doesn't know he's playing, and that could be bad. I know Mikey is only playing with you, but someone else who plays with him, and he gets mouthy (just as Rita does) may not see it as 'playing'.

[MonicanHonda]

Maybe it's a beagle thing because Remy loves play fighting. We kind of just push her lightly on her sides and try to grab her and she likes jumping over our hands and stuff. She NEVER bites at us though. She knows to keep mouth closed. Maybe I would try to work on that with Mikey? She knows as soon as we grab her and pet her gently it's over and she lays there for some good lovin', or if we walk away.

I would think if he's already used to it, then maybe it's not really going to change anything? He may still be rough with children, even if you do stop.

[IRescue452]

I play fight with all of my dogs. Well trained and socialized dogs aren't as likely to develop temperment problems as are those kept in a backyard and only played with when the kids are outside. If he's biting too much you are good to say "enough" firmly and end the play session. You might also want to keep a stuffed animal or fabric scrap involved in the play session. He can bite on the fabric while you roll him around.

[CountryWolf07]

Hank is the first dog we've had that really likes to play/fight. He is all PLAY.

[buttercup132]

It's fine, as long as he listens when you say stop.
Mouthing is fine it's called bite inhibition and it's a good thing!
He knows play biting is ok and not to go hard.