When to stop play with another dog?!

[LucyCiel]

As a first - timer in the boxer world, I'm not sure how agressive to let my dog's play with his adult roomate to become. He came home to an adult female black lab, and their playing has really never escalated to a true "fight". They have been to some close points, and I'm not really sure where to cut it off. I don't want my boxer boy to become scared or fearful of other dogs, but I worry that when he grows to his full size, he may not be capable of "easy" play with other dogs if I let his playing escalate to inappropriate levels now.

Where do most of you draw the line?

[boxer]

Where to draw the line depends on your comfort level If they're getting too loud and rambunctious for your liking, then just tell them to settle down a bit (just like kids LOL). If they don't, then you can separate them. As long as the limit you set is 'reasonable' then they'll soon learn where the limit is, and that they need to settle down or playtime will end.

Boxers are naturally loud and enthusiastic players - but you're quite right that many other dogs won't see it that way. How old is your boy btw? If he's just a baby puppy, then I'd be inclined to leave it to the older dog to teach him when enough is enough and how to play nicely (bear in mind that babies get all manner of leeway - she'd start to teach him manners as he gets older). If he's not just a baby though, then I don't think there is anything wrong with tempering their play a little.

[busters mum]

It can be very frightening cant it?
When Bust plays with my mils adult male rottie cross, I cant bear the sounds they make. My family assure me its normal and Im just not used to big dogs playing together. Which is true, and it really opened my eyes...Can you imagine the look on my face the first time they had saw each other since Bust had had a growth spurt and was not a submissive pup any more?

I was like " OMG why are they making that noise?" They ran the length and breadth of the house and then took it outside! Eventually it wore off a bit, But Buster would not let up. He did enjoy himself though and I saw a different side of him. For that weekend he was nt my little man any more.
I kept saying "How do we know when to stop them" In the end my nerves were pretty bad, so I left it up to DH to be responsible for them, and they had a wonderful time playing over the fields.
Its definatly not for the faint hearted.