Are my dogs playing or fighting?

[Germanshepherdlova]

When my dogs are playing it seems to be too physical to me. Especially my GSD. He growls loudly, and although he has not seriously bit my lab-I fear the playing can turn into a fight. Some people tell me that my dogs are fighting and not playing. I am so confused. I have heard that GSD's play very roughly and loudly. I am always stopping them because it looks like it is almost a fight-videos of your dog playing with another dog will be greatly appreciated. I do not have my dogs on video but I will try to make one next time and post it.

[GSDBESTK9]

Well, it is hard to say without being there, but GSDs are definitely loud when their are playing and like to play rough. No doubt about it!

[Frankly I'm Frank]

yup, what SHE ^^^ said.
If they fight the noise and intensity would be amped up considerably.
One way to test is to call them off. If they are fighting they will ignore you.

[RocketDog]

How is their relationship otherwise?

[jprice103]

I know that when I first got my foster, and he and Cheyenne would play, I'd be a nervous wreck! They sounded like they were killing each other with as loud as they got! But the play looked kinda slow motion. When they actually did get into a fight, it was a totally different sound, and it was intense fast motion! Without seeing them playing first, I didn't think I could tell the difference, but you can! When they were fighting, the whole dynamic changed! I'll try to get a video of them playing for you so you can see. The one fight they had was on day 3...and it escalated from them playing. I think one hurt the other without meaning to, and because they didn't know each other it escalated. It has been well over a month, and they haven't had a fight since.

[kiya]

Apache can sound like a grizzly bear. But by looking at his posturing I know he's playing. He'll spin around, posture over Kiya's shoulder. Sometimes Kiya isn't in the mood or he's just being too obnoxious she'll go after him and its not playing, more like "whats wrong with you leave me alone", she'll snap at him showing teeth. Sometimes she's into it and will dance around with him.
If Apache plays like that with Lakota, Kiya gangs up on Lakota.
Lakota on the other hand I do have a hard time telling if she's playing or she's going to get "gremlin" on them.
When Lakota and Kiya play they don't get as loud as Apache. And usually when Kiya had enough Lakota doesn't push it.

[Germanshepherdlova]

Their relationship is usually pretty good. They get along most of the time. My GSD is very dominant and so he does try to take everything and the lab usually lets him have everything. If I see it, I intervene and give the lab back his stuff, and if I don't see my lab will come and get me- he gives me a certain look and I know that Brutus has taken both toys for himself. I say both because I buy things in pairs so there is one for each. The lab doesn't fight over it himself though, he waits for me.

I will try to describe the situation better. They begin playing and I can tell they are playing but then it seems that one gets upset and then the growling intensifies. They both are snarling and to me their body language looks like a fight. But no blood is drawn. I always assumed that they had went from playing to fighting. Then I read a post on a different thread about GSD's appearing aggressive while playing because they get very loud-so now I am questioning my judgement as far as if they are playing or fighting. They are getting along good right now but if a play? fight? starts I will video it and get more opinions. In the meantime I'd like to see videos of other dogs playing to see how it compares with what my boys do.

*They stop when told.

[Frankly I'm Frank]

As stated. Play is like a slow-motion fight. If you haven't seen either it is hard to tell.

[SamanthaBrynn]

I wonder about this myself. In my house, because I've had incidents of fights, I get nervous when I think they are playing. If there's tail wagging and growling...playing or fussing?

[Lilie]

If you have to ask...they are playing. A real fight is intense & loud. You'll know.