[KairaPup]

I live with three dogs. A chihuahua, a chihuahua/yorkie mix, and a heeler mix. Respectively they weigh 5 lbs, 6 lbs, and 20 lbs.

The tinies can play with large dogs, but only approved ones. I won't let them play with just any random dog I see. My yorkie cross, Kaira, in particular. She's a service dog and she's very docile. Will not defend herself from other dogs even if they're aggressive or rude. My chihuahua will defend himself and will not hesitate to bite if he needs to, but she will just lay on her back or wait for me to help her.

So, I let them play with dogs I know well and trust. Kaira's best friend is a border collie who is my friend's service dog. She plays well with my mom's large mixed breed dog as well and my aunt's huge hound dog.

Even small dogs, if I don't trust them, I will remove Kaira. I take her to the park often and it's usually very safe. I work with dogs, so I can read their language, and I stay right with her while she plays. If a dog comes in that I don't like the looks of, I'll leave.

As far as what makes a safe playmate- does the dog have good motor skills? A 6 month old massive dog might be too wiggly to be safe. Does the dog listen? If it gets carried away can it be called off? How does it react to small running dogs? Does it understand not to bite too hard in play with a little dog? For other little dogs, how hard does it play? Does it read body language well? Is the other dog easily offended and could turn and snap for some made up reason? Kaira got bit at the park by a dog she was playing with who all of a sudden decided she was no longer interested, and it did draw blood. Does the dog hump excessively? Do they have well matched play styles, or is another dog a better choice? Are they taking turns? Healthy play usually will have them alternate who is on the ground during wrestling. If one dog is dominating the situation, pinning the other dog and they are not alternating, it's no longer good play and needs to have a human step in.