Comment to 'My dog actually enjoys been wrestled - good or bad'
  • To begin with, one cannot possibly apply the same behaviour to a normal dog and a Kavkaz or other shepherd dog due to the great difference in temperament, instincts,physical strength,intelligence,level of dominance and aggression etc. I am in favour of wrestling with your dog when PLAY is the idea and only as long as the owner is...built for this heavy task. Remember that your dog wants to play as it would in the pack BUT ALSO TESTS you and will do so often.Show obvious signs of weakness and play will no longer be play...Punish or injure your dog and play will no longer be play...Stick to smoothly wrestling him to the ground, patting him around or chasing each other in turns and that will be great for both. My early wrestling sessions were strange for me cause I thought my dog was angry or something but as years went by we both agreed to the rules of "wrestling" each other. I havent had the slightest scratch ever since. Lastly ,my dog also growls at times when I SPRINT next to him and used to jump on me when he was younger. In time and after I realised he was just getting excited and wanted to play I just ignored him or talked calmly to him and now he'll just bark (rarely} and keep running happily in front of me. I hope I've been of assistance!