Dogs playing together can be a great way to exercise your dog and good for her socialization. But it can't be a free for all. I have a 3 second rule where one dog can't pin or stand over another dog for longer than 3 seconds. If need be, I'll intervene and move the top dog off to the side. If the bottom dog comes back, they were having a good time. If the bottom dog takes off, they were not enjoying the interaction. But even if they were enjoying it, I don't want the dog on top to start to feel all full of herself.
A nice mix of the dogs trading rolls periodically is a good sign. Even better if they are doing what is called "parallel play" where the dogs are running side by side, maybe with a shared toy in their mouth. Some conflict is ok in play but definitely encourage them if there is a lot of sharing and even play.
We've been practicing our recall so that's a good tool to use to break up the play a bit. Thunder also responds well if I walk towards them clapping my hands and saying "too much" in a calm voice. This helps to guide her and teach her what the limits are in play.
When she does come, lots of rewards and praise and then release her to go play again. This will really strengthen her recall when she gets paid off so well and she learns that her fun does not end when she comes to me.
Dogs use their mouths and paws a lot in play. They don't know right off the bat that it's not ok to interact with people in that way. It's up to us to teach her the appropriate interactions with humans and we do this by rewarding behavior we like or teaching an alternate behavior and redirecting behavior we don't like.
When the play does get too rough, it's time for us to intervene. Sometimes, if the dogs are really tired, they'll start to get a little cranky with each other. It's time for a break at that point.
You can have her do a sit or down or just end the play all together. She needs reminders because she would really prefer to be going full force all the time but her energy level doesn't allow that. Starting to sound like a toddler yet?
I'll also put her in a short time if she is being too vocal in play...namely barking and barking and barking. This is her way to communicate to others that she wants to play or she wants attention. She'll continue to do that behavior if it works for her. If she is barking at me for attention, I avoid making eye contact with her and turn away from her. When she's doing it with the dogs, I interrupt with "that's enough." I'll give her a couple of chances but, if she continues to bark, I'll put her in a short time-out. Sounding more like a toddler? In addition, we are also working on having her sit for things she wants (water bowl filled, going outside, attention, getting her leash on, playing withe the dogs, etc.). Teaching her the behavior you want (sit when you want something) and interrupting and redirecting the behavior you don't want will go a long way towards changing that behavior.
Yes, we have definitely worn her out...
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