Play behavior at the dog park

[Sweet72947]

So Norris is obnoxious when he plays. He barks and makes growly rooorrrrooorrr sounds and generally makes an annoyance of himself. I always have to explain to people who are looking at me askance that I PROMISE my dog isn't being aggressive, he just talks when he plays! None of the other dogs make the deep growly sounds that Norris makes, although some of them do bark. If a dog snaps at Norris, he will walk away. Sometimes he barks at another dog if they get in his face too much. There was a 10 month old great dane pup with big tumors on both her elbows who kept sniffing his face and he'd bark at her, and she'd walk away (although Norris instigated play with her). People always look at me like they think my dog is being a brat or something, but it's just the way he communicates. Do you think this is part of some breed he's mixed with? The possible cattle dog? The hound? And my other question is, do you think this is an acceptable/normal behavior, or is it one I should try to work on? I can call him to me any time and he always comes right away. Today I called Norris away from this pit bull that was concerning me, with his stiff body language and tail straight in the air. Other people call "blahblah come! Come! COME!" over and over and I just have to say Norris! or Norris here! once and he comes running, cause recall training + clingy dog .

ETA: Norris' play style is to play chase, play bow, and talk a lot. He never wrestles or plays bitey face. He only did that with my friend's pit bull Mama when he brought her to my house.

Thanks for your advice.

 

[RBark]

Kobe is a talker, like many huskies and malamutes. I don't see it as a problem.

 

[amberdyan]

Hugo doesn't bark unless the dog is ignoring him. Then he'll bark and play bow a few times. He does do growl/grunting noises when he's really into play though. People so far just laugh at him because he's a clumsy awkward puppy who looks super goofy when he's playing. He's part cattle dog too but I don't think I've ever heard of that as trait, so it could be a coincidence. It's never bothered me enough to try and train it out. He does the same thing when he's running hard off leash flinging his toys around.

 

[pinkspore]

I think there are more and less appropriate times for play barking. Of course, I work at a dog daycare so I have a somewhat different perspective. I am perpetually admonishing the dogs at work to "play by playing, not by barking". Most of the play barkers I know tend to alienate a lot of potential playmates by barking in their faces, nobody likes getting yelled at constantly. Some play better than others, and play growling is totally different, but in general I think excessive barking tends to annoy everyone in the vicinity, people and dogs included. I ask for sits and stays to interrupt them and help them stay below the level of excitement that leads to constant barking.