If you’ve been around even just a few dogs in your life, you’ve probably witnessed the play bow. It’s a posture that dogs of all ages, breeds, and sizes take when they want to have fun.
A play bow is a form of dog body language. It’s a way in which dogs communicate with people and other animals. Essentially, it’s your dog’s way of saying, “Let’s play!”
What Does a Dog Play Bow Look Like?
The play bow is when a dog stretches his front legs out in front, leaning down on his elbows. This brings the chest low to the ground as if the dog is about to lie down, but the rear end remains up in the air. Quite often, it’s accompanied by a big doggie grin and maybe a little bark.
What Does It Mean?
A play bow, as the name suggests, is a dog’s way of inviting another dog, animal, or human companion to play. It’s their way of letting you know that what they’re doing is just fun and games.
The play bow is an important part of the social interaction between dogs. When a dog meets another dog for the first time, he may use a play bow to let the other dog know his intentions are friendly. After this, dogs are likely to engage in play. Sometimes they’ll bow when one dog gets tired of playing but the other wants to keep going.
Many dog behaviorists believe that this action is a way to signal that any actions they take after the bow are indeed friendly.1
Byosiere, Sarah-Elizabeth et al. Investigating the Function of Play Bows in Dog and Wolf Puppies (Canis lupus familiaris, Canis lupus occidentalis). PloS one , vol. 11, no. 12, 2016. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0168570
After all, dog play can get a little rough at times, with lots of noise, body checks, ear nibbles, and the like. The bow takes any aggression out of the actions that follow.
If you’re unsure whether dogs are playful or about to start a fight, look for play bows. If you see both dogs with their chests to the ground and rear ends in the air, chances are they’re playing.
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