Last week I posted a picture of dogs at play and asked you all to read their body language.
Here is another shot taken just seconds after the first photo. In this photo, tensions have lessoned a bit, but Charlee is still "putting on the heat" as my pup's breeder likes to say.

I had my kids look at the pictures and tell me what the dogs were saying and my son put it best, when he exclaimed "Charlee is 5.0" (that is street talk for cop).

The two young dogs were getting rowdy, and the Play Police (Charlee) came by to remind them to use a little self control.
The darker dog, Emmet, was not sure at first if he wanted to listen to the old gal, but he did indeed back down and chill out. Finney just waited the whole thing over so he could play again. What is interesting to note, is that Charlee did it all by body language and attitude. I chose these pictures because I thought she was extremely clear in what she was telling the young dogs. She told the young boys "you live in my house, play by my rules".
Notice that she "split" them. Splitting is a doggie diffuser.
My kids were playing on the swing set nearby, and that could have led to her increased need for stricter rules of play.

For all of you who left comments-Thanks! You were all basically right. For those of you who had no idea what the dogs were saying, you need to get out more and observe dogs playing. Watching the Turid Rugass video CALMING SIGNALS: WHAT YOUR DOG TELLS YOU on Dvd might not be a bad idea. Click here to order and/or view a brief clip.

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