Play escalation - MyCorgi.com2024-03-29T15:20:51Zhttp://mycorgi.com/forum/topics/play-escalation?commentId=1150197%3AComment%3A496439&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noThanks everyone for your advi…tag:mycorgi.com,2009-08-14:1150197:Comment:4964392009-08-14T05:02:17.160ZValhttp://mycorgi.com/profile/Val78
Thanks everyone for your advice and observations! I also had a trainer in, and just thought I'd share what she told me in case it's interesting to anyone else in my situation.<br />
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She mostly agreed that watching for and cutting off the escalation before it gets to a scuffle is a good plan. She said that it was probable that Eva is not getting Eli's stop signals, and in that case our role as owners should be to show Eli that we control the situation and are looking out for him by giving a "knock it…
Thanks everyone for your advice and observations! I also had a trainer in, and just thought I'd share what she told me in case it's interesting to anyone else in my situation.<br />
<br />
She mostly agreed that watching for and cutting off the escalation before it gets to a scuffle is a good plan. She said that it was probable that Eva is not getting Eli's stop signals, and in that case our role as owners should be to show Eli that we control the situation and are looking out for him by giving a "knock it off" command, reinforced as necessary. (Side note: with a smart breed like Corgis, it's especially important to develop a vocabulary that's consistent - my husband and I used different terms to break up playtime, and this wasn't helping the message) She recommended attaching a bit of cotton string to the collars so that if we ever needed to break up a scuffle already in progress, we'd not have to reach into it. And if they chew the cotton string (as they're apt to do with drag leashes), it's not the end of the world.<br />
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She also said that because it's evident in their play and elsewhere that Eli and Eva haven't worked out which is dominant at this point, they may need to have more chances to work that out, and gave us advice on giving that the opportunity to happen. She also reassured us that they will work it out in time, even if they're still unsure now, and the important thing is to observe and react, but not try to artificially set the dog hierarchy. As long as we're at the top, they need to sort their roles out themselves.<br />
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Anyhow, that's one trainer's advice to me, and of course your own situation may differ, but I just wanted to share back! I think this is common in lot…tag:mycorgi.com,2009-08-05:1150197:Comment:4891212009-08-05T20:08:12.742ZRosshttp://mycorgi.com/profile/Ross
I think this is common in lots of dogs.<br />
Scout (the dingo) and Atlas (the corgi) play really really rough. If you didn't know us, or our dogs, you would probably think they were in an actual fight. It makes for great entertainment, especially when Scout catapults herself off the back of a chair and lands on Atlas. Sometimes one of the dogs may accidentally get too rough, and there will be a snap or a growl (which makes me break them up so they can "cool down", this "cool down" period is usually…
I think this is common in lots of dogs.<br />
Scout (the dingo) and Atlas (the corgi) play really really rough. If you didn't know us, or our dogs, you would probably think they were in an actual fight. It makes for great entertainment, especially when Scout catapults herself off the back of a chair and lands on Atlas. Sometimes one of the dogs may accidentally get too rough, and there will be a snap or a growl (which makes me break them up so they can "cool down", this "cool down" period is usually just a matter of a few seconds, and I let them go back at it again).<br />
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I don't think it's anything to worry about, you just need to supervise their play and act accordingly. You'll get better and handle on their signs of when it starts to get a bit more serious and be able to break it up.<br />
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I would suspect Elliot's aggression is triggered by insecurity, he is usually so wrapped up in play that he is able to forget his neglectful past and his attack, but those times when his baggage comes back are when his aggression manifests. I think if you give it time, and break up the play sessions when they are about to escalate, you will instill confidence Elliot and this will probably not even be an issue. When my daughters corgi Puck…tag:mycorgi.com,2009-08-05:1150197:Comment:4890222009-08-05T16:28:07.170ZMelinda (Penny's Mom)http://mycorgi.com/profile/MelindaThibault
When my daughters corgi Puck comes over they often get to the "too rough" stage...I've learned the signs and simply tell them to settle down and play nice and it is all ok. Penny is obviously in control because Puck always flips over on his back and submits to her (even though he is older), and when she is done playing she lets him know it!
When my daughters corgi Puck comes over they often get to the "too rough" stage...I've learned the signs and simply tell them to settle down and play nice and it is all ok. Penny is obviously in control because Puck always flips over on his back and submits to her (even though he is older), and when she is done playing she lets him know it! Yeppers! Especially Maddie an…tag:mycorgi.com,2009-08-05:1150197:Comment:4889532009-08-05T14:10:02.703ZCindihttp://mycorgi.com/profile/cindi
Yeppers! Especially Maddie and Moira. First, Moira is a bully. They have a love-hate relationship. And they play with each other--alot. And every so often, it does escalate. As my mom used to say, "it's all fun and games til somebody gets hurt." I've started to notice the signs...posturing, type of growling, etc...and stop it before it goes over the line. The more I stop them, the less likely they've become to go at each other.
Yeppers! Especially Maddie and Moira. First, Moira is a bully. They have a love-hate relationship. And they play with each other--alot. And every so often, it does escalate. As my mom used to say, "it's all fun and games til somebody gets hurt." I've started to notice the signs...posturing, type of growling, etc...and stop it before it goes over the line. The more I stop them, the less likely they've become to go at each other. From this picture it appears…tag:mycorgi.com,2009-08-05:1150197:Comment:4889092009-08-05T12:19:37.757ZSamhttp://mycorgi.com/profile/pemcardimom
From this picture it appears that Eli has a dominant posture. His body appears to be stiffened and his head is over her shoulder. Eva is probably happy go lucky girl who just is not reading Eli's signs that he is finished playing. I am thinking that Eli would do well with the "NILF" program. An internet search will bring you to various explanations of the program. Knowing he has had a jaded past is good but you must think about moving forward. Eli will function much better if he has good solid…
From this picture it appears that Eli has a dominant posture. His body appears to be stiffened and his head is over her shoulder. Eva is probably happy go lucky girl who just is not reading Eli's signs that he is finished playing. I am thinking that Eli would do well with the "NILF" program. An internet search will bring you to various explanations of the program. Knowing he has had a jaded past is good but you must think about moving forward. Eli will function much better if he has good solid rules and expectations, something probably totally lacking in his former life. Good luck to you. I always stop play if it has…tag:mycorgi.com,2009-08-05:1150197:Comment:4889042009-08-05T11:56:07.934ZBev Levyhttp://mycorgi.com/profile/BevLevy
I always stop play if it has gotten a little too rough. I figure I am the pack leader and can decide what is too much. The dogs will let each other know when it is too much but the one that is overexcited may miss the cues. You really don't want them to reach the point of disliking each other because it then becomes much more difficult to keep everyone safe. Corgis can play a little rougher I think just because they are such a confident little dog but that fits a lot of breeds. Try to stop them…
I always stop play if it has gotten a little too rough. I figure I am the pack leader and can decide what is too much. The dogs will let each other know when it is too much but the one that is overexcited may miss the cues. You really don't want them to reach the point of disliking each other because it then becomes much more difficult to keep everyone safe. Corgis can play a little rougher I think just because they are such a confident little dog but that fits a lot of breeds. Try to stop them when Elliot starts to appear uncomfortable rather than wait for him to actually have to get upset. She will catch on eventually when the line is being crossed. I don't think it's a corgi th…tag:mycorgi.com,2009-08-05:1150197:Comment:4888872009-08-05T08:25:00.121Zchristy fryhttp://mycorgi.com/profile/christyfry
I don't think it's a corgi thing so much as a dog thing I've seen play turn to little scuffles back to play between my sis's retrievers & thier 2 & 3 it's happened at my house between Jordan(corgi) & Cody(lab) also. I'm watchfull of the play and will step in if I think it's getting a little rough. I think thats the most helpfull in keeping those kinda things to a minamum in my house.
I don't think it's a corgi thing so much as a dog thing I've seen play turn to little scuffles back to play between my sis's retrievers & thier 2 & 3 it's happened at my house between Jordan(corgi) & Cody(lab) also. I'm watchfull of the play and will step in if I think it's getting a little rough. I think thats the most helpfull in keeping those kinda things to a minamum in my house.