Originally Posted by
charliebbarkin
If you are going to allow them to play like that, then the collars should come of. If you are outside and don't feel comfortable taking the collars off, then the dogs shouldn't wrestle. Collars on while wrestling can be very dangerous. Are the dogs microchipped?
I agree with the others about stepping in and calming the crazies. You have to pay attention to the dogs and step in before it gets out of control. My guys wrestle all the time. Usually they will go downstairs because they know they aren't allowed to anywhere else, but occasionally they will go at it in the living room and all I have to do is say their name. Try having some treats handy so you can train the behavior (to separate them when you say to). You can either say their name, or better yet, have a cue word/s like "enough" or "settle" or whatever. If things get too out of hand then it's a time out either leash them up and separate them if they won't stay in their corners, or crate them.
Good luck. I know it is hard, you feel as though you are taking away their fun, but it is for their safety.
Rough play can get out of control very quickly. Charlie is a great big brother and deals with a lot, he has had scratched, bloody ears, blood on his face, and a scratch above his eye that is still healing, all from Burton. Burton has had no injuries. But they only play that way with one another. I would be very cautious when your pup loses his puppy card and the other dog no longer wants to deal with the rough-housing. Charlie will tell Burton off and Burton will know when to quit. And they are well socialized so they know not to play so hard with others. You just never know, especially with outside dogs - even if you do see them often.