Playgroups
Medical & Behavioral Considerations
WHICH DOGS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN PLAYGROUPS?
When choosing dogs for participation in playgroups, consider the following information when available.
​
HEALTH
Ask your veterinarians to set specific guidelines for dogs who have:
-
Had surgery recently
-
Not been vaccinated
-
A contagious illness (e.g. kennel cough)
-
Open wounds or recently sutured wounds
-
Other conditions that might make play painful or problematic (skin conditions, arthritis, orthopedic injuries, heartworm, etc.)
​
SIZE
Dogs should be roughly size-matched. A helpful rule-of-thumb is that no dog in a playgroup should be more than twice the weight of any other dog in that group.
​
BEHAVIOR HISTORY (IF KNOWN)
Review behavior history from owners, reporting parties who found a stray dog, and shelter staff.
Examples of behavior history that should exclude a dog from playgroups include:
-
Killing another dog of similar size
​
-
Seriously injuring another dog (e.g. multiple deep punctures or lacerations requiring sutures). If such dogs love playing with other dogs and your shelter places them, have them play with a well-fitted and pre-conditioned muzzle.
​
-
A pattern of fighting with other dogs as the only type of interaction when given dog access
​
-
Predatory body language or behavior directed at other dogs (stalking that is not in play).
Example of stalking behavior
-
If unsure whether stalking behavior is playful, muzzle train the dog to allow further investigation
​
Behavior history that should not exclude dogs from playgroups include:
​
-
Barrier frustration (barking/lunging/growling on leash or behind a fence or kennel door) (see Barrier-Frustrated Dog Introduction SOP)
​
-
Non-injurious scuffles with other dogs
​
-
Minor injuries to other dogs not requiring medical intervention (shallow scratches or punctures that don’t require sutures)
Behaviors to consider & discuss that might exclude dogs from playgroup or require (pre-conditioned) muzzles if such dogs love playing with other dogs include:
​​
-
“Latch ons” (dogs who hold on for an extended period when they bite)
​
-
Killing or seriously injuring a much smaller dog
​
-
Fear and avoidance of other dogs
​​
-
History of biting handlers who attempt to intervene in play
Next: See Assessing Play Styles