How do Boxers play?

[cami]

I guess I'm just wondering how you distinguish play from a real threat?

I think a real threat bark/growl is more controlled and much lower. It is also focused towards an object, like another dog. Similar to when your dog sees/hears something outside that isn't normal VS. seeing a person walking another dog in front of a window on a sidewalk. Often their hackles will stand up, (natures way of making them appear bigger to a sensed threat or for the desire to appear threatening). Totally different reactions (at least in my experience). Body language has a lot to do with it as well. In the video which is all play both girls are making noise but both are acting like typical Boxers at play. Goofy, silly, sometimes obnoxious, and never giving off towards the other any threatening looks, movement or stances. Play can turn into a fight in certain situations if it is allowed to escalate to a really high level or one of the dogs receives an injury during play.

[caitrus]

what a great video! i love how boxers play and never get to see 2 playing cause Bruino is an arse when it comes to other dogs :(

don't they look great!

[Gail]

LOL looks a bit like my Macy and my dad's Lucky playing they normally drownd out every other sound in the house when they are playing.

[boxer2008]

Now, that's quite an eye opener for me. I have seen ricky play with a number of boxers, exactly like that but without the noises! Few barks here and there! However, he plays exactly the same as that with other dogs, who don't apreciate it much of the time. And neither do their owners. Ricky has made noises like that and played like that and the other owners have exclaimed that Ricky is being aggressive. In fact, i always presumed those growling/grunting noises were also him being aggressive, although his body language would be the same. No signs or differences to show me he was being aggressive thro9ugh his body language. I am forever explaining to people that him jumping up when playing like in the video at another dog is in fact his daft way of playing.
Now i know it's typical boxer play! You learn something new everyday! Thanks Nicole!

[pupeluv]

Its so fun to watch Boxers play. Very entertaining. How they use there paws so much in playing I heard is how they got their name boxer. Love watching them run and chase. It is part of our nightly routine to take our two out and let them run their laps in our driveway and sidewalk.