How to moderate your puppy’s play.
Grab the best treats you can think of; roast beef, a bit of chicken, something special and different.
Let your puppy begin to play with another. Observe how stimulated and energetic their play becomes. Before things get too over the top, stop them show them each the treat, have them come and sit in front of you but separated. Give them each a bit of a treat, praise them, give a bit more, and once they are calmer send them back into play. What this accomplishes is actually quite powerful. You are going to get those heart rates down and drain that adrenaline.
Allow the play to go on a moment or two, and repeat. Then send them back in.
Now allow them to go a bit further. When their bodies begin to stiffen, they become very vocal, try to pin each other down, or appear overheated, call them back to you. If they don’t come back immediately simply blow on the treats so the smell wafts in their direction. You can even take a bit of treat in your hand and move it in their direction so they see it. And remember. Once they are both back and sitting for you repeat your praise and treat them lavishly (“treat,” is a verb in my world).
Play this game several times throughout each play date and you will probably notice that one or both puppies are more than willing to come back to you. In a short time, your puppy will learn to hear you, stop himself, and to fly back to you in the midst of play. In this enjoyable way, you are actually teaching him to control himself – on command
