Im playing too rough with my dog..?
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I'll roll with Jax. He's not that large, only 60-65 pounds but I'll get him fired him. He loves to wrestle. When given the opportunity with other dogs, that's his preference. He'll run and chase and whatnot, but he'd much rather wrestle so I'll get done in the floor from time to time and have a go at it. I usually pin him a time or two and turn it into belly rubs throughout, just to kind of keep things in check every so often, and of course when he starts getting too rough with me, I'll force him to calm down for a few minutes before continuing. I don't really know if you can get too rough with a 100 lb dog. That's a lot of dog, and just playing is unlikely to get too rough on your end, unless you're simply doing something stupid hoping to hurt him. No growling, no aggression? Hey, have fun and give the dog a workout, just make sure to not let it get out of hand on his part and regain control if it does begin to get to that point.
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I wouldn't say so, I'm sure your wife would think I play too rough with my 50# dog and there is lots of growling and mouthing going on in our rough housing. I think as long as you and the dog are enjoying it and no one is getting hurt it's all good. Also as long as you are still in control, if the dog gets over excited you should be able stop them with a word. My word is "off" and he'll stop, all four on the floor, and back up and wait for me to re-engage him. I might get some bruises from time to time from our wrestling but it's all fun to me.
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Is the dog having fun? Are you having fun? Enjoy!
I have no issues playing rough with Buster but that doesnt stop me from telling my husband off if I think he's getting too rough (he hasnt put the time in to teach Bus to tone it down when told). While I dont feel our play gets out of hand, Bus is a big boy (140lbs, 30" tall, 40" girth), I do end up bruised and occasionally bleeding (scrapped by his teeth, no bites). We play hard, the goal after all is to tire the beast out. Lots of growling and barking, he'll body slam me (not full force, he's careful not to knock me on my butt), if Im wearing long sleeves my arms are fair game to grab. All I have to do is tell Buster "enough" and he'll take a few steps back, shake and go on with whatever he'd be doing if we werent playing.
I have no issues playing rough with Buster but that doesnt stop me from telling my husband off if I think he's getting too rough (he hasnt put the time in to teach Bus to tone it down when told). While I dont feel our play gets out of hand, Bus is a big boy (140lbs, 30" tall, 40" girth), I do end up bruised and occasionally bleeding (scrapped by his teeth, no bites). We play hard, the goal after all is to tire the beast out. Lots of growling and barking, he'll body slam me (not full force, he's careful not to knock me on my butt), if Im wearing long sleeves my arms are fair game to grab. All I have to do is tell Buster "enough" and he'll take a few steps back, shake and go on with whatever he'd be doing if we werent playing.
The only issue would be if you want to stop playing but he won't. IF you can use a command and make him stop and sit at anytime no matter how riled up then there's noting wrong! If you can't then train him to stop on command, in case he plays a little to rough with someone who doesn't like it, you can control the situation easily.
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You should have seen Muggsy and my husband play! (90lb GSD mix) Rolling around, wrestling, growling (both of them), thumping- but a short squeal from either side ended any accidental over roughness, and "stop" had Muggsy sitting nicely immediately.
If no one's getting hurt and you're both having fun, and your dog stops when it's over, have at it
If no one's getting hurt and you're both having fun, and your dog stops when it's over, have at it
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9,440 Posts
When I was younger, I was very rough with my dogs, b/c I thought they preferred it. They seemed to enjoy it. Then, one day as I was socializing in PetsMart, a foreign student, who wants a dog but can't take care of one during school, came over to a dog fix. I watched him pet my dog very gently, assuming the dog would push against him to be rougher. Nope. The dog stood there for 10 min., happily getting a light massage.
My lesson, even the roughest dogs like some gentle downtime. When it's cold or after he finishes supper, my dog will initiate wrestle time. When he's ready for bed, he won't play with me, but he will accept some gentle petting. Although he loves to be chased and loves tug, I have found that there is a level of excitement that is too much. And, it varies with the age of the dog, and with each individual.
My lesson, even the roughest dogs like some gentle downtime. When it's cold or after he finishes supper, my dog will initiate wrestle time. When he's ready for bed, he won't play with me, but he will accept some gentle petting. Although he loves to be chased and loves tug, I have found that there is a level of excitement that is too much. And, it varies with the age of the dog, and with each individual.
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I can get upset when my husband plays with our dog b/c he also plays much more roughly than I do but Molly absolutely LOVES it so I know it's my problem and not anything wrong with his interactions with the dog. I also used to get upset when he'd play around with the kids & the volume would increase. I've talked with some girlfriends about this and I think some people just feel uncomfortable with the noise & chaos that goes along with rough play. I just leave the room now when they play around b/c I don't want to control his relationship with Molly but I just can't handle hearing/seeing it.
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I showed my wife all of your comments . (Thank you for your replies)
Oddly enough..The problem isnt really about playing too rough or someone getting hurt.
She said : "I know the dog wont hurt you , and you wont hurt the dog....It just gives me anxiety attacks."
Then she mentioned something about ..
225lb Husband VS 100lb Rottweiler in the livingroom..bouncing off the furniture with zoomies in and out of the dog door..
mud all over the floor..etc etc..
Oddly enough..The problem isnt really about playing too rough or someone getting hurt.
She said : "I know the dog wont hurt you , and you wont hurt the dog....It just gives me anxiety attacks."
Then she mentioned something about ..
225lb Husband VS 100lb Rottweiler in the livingroom..bouncing off the furniture with zoomies in and out of the dog door..
mud all over the floor..etc etc..
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9,440 Posts
Mothers also don't like it when their sons wrestle. ... And, it takes even more discussion to protect them, when there's a little playful bloodshed. So, I can see the issues that arise with wrestling a big dog in the house. Do like I do and go outside (and hope the neighbors don't call the cops 
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I love playing rough with my dogs. Damon sounds like he could kill me by the noises he makes but he loves it and keeps coming back for more. haha Lassie is my favorite to play rough with because she is a bigger dog. Even though she only has 3 legs you would never be able to tell. No one is allowed to play rough with Lassie but me because she does not trust other people and I am afriad she might get upset with them. NO ONE is allowed to play rough with Sophie because no matter how much training I have done with her she does not know when to stop.
If your wife said that its not about someone getting hurt it may just be about you playing like that in the house. Try playing outside with your dog.
If your wife said that its not about someone getting hurt it may just be about you playing like that in the house. Try playing outside with your dog.
Rule of thumb, is the dog having fun? I wrestle with my 40 lb. dog and I usually win, lol. She really likes it. I'm sure a 100 pounder can take it. If the dog is play-aggressive towards everyone to the point of it being a problem, I would stop. But if the dog is reasonably polite, play away!
If the dog is play-aggressive towards everyone to the point of it being a problem, I would stop. But if the dog is reasonably polite, play away!Ha! I love those I-will-kill-you noises!
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