rough play a problem

[mel hunter]

I took Buddy out on a cross country ski today with a friend who has a 1 1/2 yr old golden retreiver (Buddy is 4 years old) and they get along great and like to play but Buddy tends to get more and more excited and because he is quite a bit bigger sometimes knocks Boomer down. There is a lot of growling on both sides but the next time Buddy comes running toward Boomer he just lays down like he wants to avoid Buddy's rowdy behavior. It seems like Buddy is just playing too rough and I'm not sure how to handle it. I usually grab him or call him when his excitement level seems to escalate and have him sit to calm down but it just happens again.

Is this something I should try to correct or should he just play with dogs more his age/size? He is not an aggressive dog at all and is very dog friendly...just a little over exuberent when he plays. Any tips would be welcome...thanks

[Samba]

If they get too rowdy, I call off my dog and let them cool jets for a bit. Different breeds play in different manners so the match up is not always good. My female plays pretty well with a Golden we know, but you toss a GSD in there and she abandons that Golden fast. They seem to recognize the like play style within their breed.

If the Golden doesn't enjoy it. Maybe not a good play match.

[Raziel]

Maybe find a dog with his enthusiam for knocking each other over.
MY DOG would get along wonderful with yours!!!

But seriously. Kilo played with another male shepherd (not well socialized IMHO) & the other dog like seriously cowered when Keys ran up to him. (no more playing obviously) That dog just was plain scared.