Understanding The Dog Body Language: Play Bow

What do you all know about the term โ€œplay bowโ€? Not many of you would be aware of this term, but if you are a dog lover, it isย no surpriseย that many of you must be well aware of this.

A play bow is generally a form of the dogโ€™s body language.ย 

It is a way wherein dogs go on toย communicate with peopleย and various other animals. More specifically, it is the way of saying by your dog, โ€œLetโ€™s play!โ€

This article looks forward toย Understanding Dog Body Language: Play Bow.

The Postureย โ€“ Play Bow Dog

If you have ever been aroundย dogs in your life, you would have probablyย noticed the play bow. It is aย simple postureย that dogs of all ages, sizes, and the breed go on to take when they look to have fun.

The play bow posture can be seen when the dog stretches the front legs out right in front and leans down on elbows. This brings theย chest lower to the ground, making it look like the dog is almost lying down.

However, the rearย end stays up in the air. It is frequently accompanied by a little bark or a big doggie grin.

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Meaning Dog Play Bow

As the name suggests, play Bow, in a simple meaning, is the dogโ€™s style of trying to engage another dog,ย human companion, or animal, to play.

Their style allowsย you to knowย that whatever they are doing is nothing but just for fun and the games. This play bow is aย pretty essentialย and integral part of social interaction among dogs.

When theย dog generally meetsย some other dog for the first time, he may use this play bow toย let that dog knowย that his intentions are all friendly.

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Post this, theย dogs are very likelyย to get together to play. At times, theyโ€™ll bow when anotherย dog is tired of playingย while the other dog would want to keep the game going.

Various dog behavioristsย assume and believe that this play bow is also a style to signal thatย no matter what actionsย they go on to take the post, the Bow is indeed going to be friendly.

Eventually,ย dog play can get quite roughย because of lots of noise, ear nibbles, body checks, and much more. The Bow generallyย takes any aggressionย away from the actions to follow.

If you are still not sure whether theย dogs are fun-lovingย to play with or they are to begin a fight, you may look for the play bows.

If you witness both theย dogs with their chestย almost down to the ground and their rear ends staying in the air, chances are very high that they are playing.

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Speaking The Dog Language

The dog owners canย generally tapย into the petโ€™s natural communication simply by using the play bow themselves.

Indeed, it is a great way to get the pupย excited about playtimeย and encourage regular and healthy exercise.

You could think that it may makeย you look dumbย and foolish, but nothing is too big for you to do to makeย your dog feel lovedย because while doing so, you are taking a step towards speaking your dogโ€™s language!

There exist aย couple of waysย wherein you can play Bow to the dog. The pretty obvious one is easy: you get down on your all fours, stretch your armsย right in front of you, lean on your elbows, and stick your rear end up in the air.

Probably, a great style toย grab your dogโ€™s attentionย o the soft grass or in your house. The next way isย when you can play Bowย is in a standing position.

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This might beย easier under certain situationsย and for a few people, though it is less obvious,ย especially in public settingsย such as parks.

All you need to do isย drop down your chest, bend a little by the hips, and go on to spread those arms out.

If you opt to do aย secondary actionย such as run for the game of throwing a ball or chasing a ball, the dog will pretty easily get the hint.

The key to aย successful way of pullingย off the play bow is no matter what way you do it, and it has to be swift in your motions.

You can watch yourย dog whenย it is going to bow next time, and you will witness sharp movements, a lot of excitement, and aย little hop. The endpoint is โ€œthe betterย you would mimic this, the clearer- โ€œletโ€™s playโ€ indication will be.

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How Do You Train Your Dog to Take A Bow

Have you ever gone on toย witness a dog taking a bowย in the cue? It is pretty adorable. The dogs generally enjoy the tricks as they deriveย loads of positive attention.

Only if one can go on toย train the dog to sit or stay, one can very easily train their dog to go on to take aย bow on every commandย as well.

When taking a bow,ย your dog would be stretchingย the front legs out right in front and leaning down on elbows.

This brings theย chest lowerย to the ground, making it look like the dog is almost lying down. However, theย rear end stays up in the air. This is indeed the perfect and the best finishing touch.

All you require toย train your dogย is to take a bow and a few treats. You would also wish toย possess a clickerย on hand when you utilize clicker training as a part of theย dogโ€™s training.

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Begin With Standing Up

Begin with theย dog standing upย tall on all four feet. This is helpful when your dog can go on toย stand on your command.

If it still has not mastered thisย basic dog command, you would like to work on it first before moving on to another step, i.e., the second step.

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You May Use A Treat To Lower Your Dog

You can hold aย treat rightย at the tip of the dogโ€™s nose, and you may slowly move it downwards, holding itย pretty closeย to the dogโ€™s body.

Doing this, you will be using aย treat to lure the dog downย until its elbows are well on the floor with the hindquarters staying up.

Back To Standing

Hold the dog in thatย bow postureย for a few seconds, then use that treat to lure it back while getting into the standing position.

Rewarding the Bow Helps

Once your dog finishes the Bow and is going to stand up, say โ€œgoodโ€ or โ€œyes,โ€ or you may click your clicker and offer your dog the treat.ย 

Once the dog seems to beย understanding the action, you may add the word โ€œbowโ€ before you go through steps 2 and 3 again and continue to practice theย bow command, which will eventually help your dog master the posture along with you inย Understanding Dog Body Language: Play Bow.

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