play well. be welL.

newton’s play stages

These stages are a theory and classification of puppies’ participation in play developed by Casey Newton, Wonder Puppy’s founder, owner and lead trainer. The stages are based on her extensive observations of puppies, puppy playgroups and dogs over nearly two decades as a professional dog trainer and 11 years at the helm of Wonder Puppy. Empirical research is in the works.

Play education is a key component of a puppy’s critical early socialization. According to Newton’s play stage theory, puppies move through progressive stages as they learn to play well with other dogs. The stages apply to dogs of all ages; in this guide, references to puppies are interchangeable with dogs.

the stages at a glance


stage 1 | stationary

THE WALLFLOWER stays away from other puppies


stage 2 | exploring

THE EXPLORER engages with the environment and people, and ignores or avoids other puppies


stage 3 | approaching

THE SNEAKY SNIFFER scores sneaky sniffs of other puppies and retreats when given attention


stage 4 | conflicted play

THE ADVANCE–RETREATER erratically advances, plays at other puppies, then retreats


stage 5 | confident play

THE FORWARD TACKLER chooses highly physical interaction with other puppies


stage 6 | cooperative play

THE SAVVY SOCIALIZER chooses the type and amount of interaction that’s right for the playmate and situation

 
two puppies starting to play

stage progression

  • Movement through the stages is a flow, and puppies flow at different rates.

  • Sometimes puppies skip stages. When building confidence, meeting new dogs or experiencing new situations, puppies often review stages.

  • Puppies also commonly revert when they become overwhelmed, tired or disinterested; don’t feel well; or aren’t matched with the right playmate or group of dogs.

  • For a variety of reasons, puppies can get stuck in a stage. Our Wonder Trainers can help rekindle your puppy’s progression—get in touch.

  • Our goal with most puppies: equal time in stages 6 and 2. We want puppies who not only play well with other puppies, but also choose to connect with their people and the environment. This takes practice, a rich reinforcement history and usually some maturity, too.

  • With puppies who aren’t interested in playmates their own age, we work toward a strong stage 2 where they can coexist peacefully and stress-free around the other puppies without interacting. We also recommend safe places for play with older dogs and/or in a natural setting.

puppy support

  • The best way to support puppies in the beginning stages 1–3 is to build their sense of security and trust by showing them they’re protected.

  • As puppies gain confidence and increase their physical engagement in stages 4 and 5, the focus of support shifts to helping them control their excitement.

  • Stage 6 puppies are self-sufficient and usually don’t require guidance.

  • When puppies revert (see stage progression above), they may need help. Getting them out of the situation as soon as possible is the best way to keep them safe.

  • Visit our WoGo® training page to learn more about puppy support.

skills development

With the use of our WoGo® techniques and/or the assistance of a stage 6 dog, puppies can practice higher-stage behaviors sooner. This expedites the building of confidence and impulse control. Here are a few examples.

  • A stage 1 puppy who’s protected in a person’s lap may display stage 3 behaviors when a dog approaches, such as sneaky sniffs.

  • A stage 4 puppy who plays with an anchored stage 5 puppy may display stage 6 behaviors, such as playing in place.

  • A stage 5 puppy who’s given boundaries and treat breaks may display stage 6 behaviors, such as taking turns.

Stages 1-3

During the initial stages 1–3, puppies are warming up to the other puppies and the activity of play. They show signs of insecurity and/or disinterest. These signs decrease in frequency and intensity as the puppies exhibit greater confidence and progress to the next stage.

STAGE 1 | STATIONARY

the wallflower

stays away from other puppies 

often…

  • sits, stands or lies down

  • hides or watches puppies from a distance

  • sniffs the air

  • stays close to attachment figures

needs protection

  • if approached by other puppies and not protected, will freeze, flee or fight

example of stage 1 | puppy sits, stays away from the other puppies and watches from a distance

STAGE 2 | EXPLORING

the explorer

explores the environment, engages with people and ignores or avoids other puppies

often…

  • skirts perimeter

  • looks for exits

  • sniffs ground, objects and/or people

  • chooses to engage with people instead of puppies

needs protection

  • if approached by other puppies and not protected, will freeze, flee or fight

example of stage 2 | puppy avoids the other puppies, sniffs the ground, explores the space, skirts the perimeter and looks for an exit

STAGE 3 | APPROACHING

the sneaky sniffer

slowly approaches to sniff other puppies, then retreats if given attention

often…

  • sniffs rear ends then moves away

  • follows other puppies then turns and moves away if they glance back

needs protection

  • if approached by other puppies and not protected, will freeze, flee or fight

example of stage 3 | puppy cautiously sniffs the rear ends of the other puppies then moves away several times

Stages 4-6

Stage 4 is the transitional stage from non-social to social interaction. In this stage, puppies manifest signs of both confidence and interest as well as insecurity and disinterest; they are emboldened to bust out some raw play moves but still dubious about going all-in with their playmates.

Stages 5 and 6 are where full play happens. Upon reaching these stages, puppies exhibit signs of confidence and interest in play almost exclusively—overly so in stage 5 (puppies are very forward with little self-control) and appropriately so in stage 6 (puppies are well engaged with good self-regulation).

STAGE 4 | CONFLICTED PLAY

the advance-retreater

solicits attention from other puppies, then awkwardly and repeatedly advances and retreats

often…

  • lifts paws and pats at puppies

  • snaps at tails and snouts

  • tensely advances and retreats with quick bows

  • jumps at/off of puppies and vocalizes

  • zooms around puppies

  • is the one chased in unbalanced chasing games

needs protection and guidance

  • if involved in too much contact before ready, fighting may occur

example of stage 4 | black puppy advances then retreats multiple times, jumps and snaps at the other puppy, and vocalizes

STAGE 5 | CONFIDENT PLAY

the forward tackler

chooses sustained physical contact with other puppies

often…

  • tackles, wrestles and jaw spars

  • shows less body tension

  • mouths hard (sometimes too hard)

  • is the chaser in unbalanced chasing games

  • zooms over puppies with contact (steamrolls)

  • pins and humps, and sometimes vocalizes

needs guidance

  • if play allowed to escalate, fighting may occur

example of stage 5 | yellow puppy tackles, wrestles and jar spars; clamps down a little too hard once; and requires ongoing guidance

STAGE 6 | COOPERATIVE PLAY

the savvy socializer

chooses the type and amount of interaction that best matches the playmate and situation

often…

  • responds appropriately to playmate’s body language and cut-off signals

  • displays mostly side-by-side, organized, reciprocal interactions—mirrors, takes turns, changes positions and alternates roles

  • uses a soft mouth and has a loose, relaxed body

  • plays in place, floor wrestles and jaw spars

  • chases in balance

  • decelerates and takes breaks when needed

  • checks in with and responds to person

self-sufficient, flexible and controlled

example of dual stage 6 | both puppies jaw spar in place on the floor using soft, wide-open mouths; read and mirror each other’s subtle, controlled moves; and take several quick breaks