Instructions
Do not allow your dog to initiate play with you or any other human. In the dog world, only those who are in charge initiate actions. If your dog brings you a toy or a ball, take the ball and put it aside. Wait a few minutes -- preferably until the dog has settled down away from the object -- then throw it. Your dog will recognize that you have the superior rank and playtime is at your discretion.
Avoid games that allow your dog to challenge you, like tug-of-war. Dogs that are extremely assertive may take the opportunity to become aggressive. If your dog decides to growl or show its teeth when playing tug, take away the toy and end the game. Your dog will eventually associate the two actions and learn to control itself. Try to create a command that starts and ends the game, such as ̶0;Go for it,̶1; ̶0;Get toy,̶1; or ̶0;Game over.̶1;
Never let your dog win the game. At the end of a game, particularly one of tug, make certain you end up with the ball or toy in your hand. If there is no object involved, such as in a game of chase, turn your back and walk away. Then use your command word to end the game.
Decide on a point at which all games will end and stick to it. Your dog can̵7;t count, so throwing an additional ball toss into the mix won̵7;t make a difference, but if you decide that the game ends when your dog displays a lip curl or growls, then that point is when the game should end.
Eliminate your dog̵7;s habit of jumping up on people by turning away from him when he crouches down to spring. He will soon understand that this behavior will deprive him of the attention he craves. Similarly, if your dog decides he wants to mouth a part of your body during play, remove his mouth from your body part, then turn and walk away, using your command. If your dog has a crate to sleep in and has bitten firmly down without breaking the skin, take hold of his collar and calmly place him in his crate for a time out.
How to Get a Dog to Stop Rough Housing
Sometimes dogs play rough, both with us and with each other. Large and small, dogs play using their mouths and tossing their body around. Unless they are taught to control themselves, even small dogs can harm a human being by rough housing. Large dogs can hurt smaller dogs, as well as children, without much effort. Even simple games, such as tug-of-war and ̶0;chase̶1; can lead to accidental injury. For these reasons, it is important for our dogs to understand what our expectations are for them in social situations and when playing.