Respecting the “Play Bow”

Recommended by Jenn

I also play bow back to our pup! She sometimes tries to speak our language—a paw on the arm, a hug around the neck—that it just seems fair to try to speak hers! She doesn’t much care for our howling at the moon, but I can tell she thinks the giant play bow is funny.

making the everyday magical

History

Matt1mo ago

I learned a while ago that dogs perform what is called a "play bow" to signal that they are in a playful state. As demonstrated by my pup in this photo, the play bow posture is distinguished by a lowered front half and a raised butt, usually with a wagging tail and a glimmer of mischief in the eye. The bow is not only frickin' cute, it is one of many reminders of the fathomless wisdom of dogs: Sometimes, we just need to make it clear that we're feeling a little zany and invite others into our jo...

2 months ago

Comments

Matt

@30somethingAug 23, 2026

❤️❤️❤️

Matt

@30somethingAug 23, 2026

This is so sweet! Yes, it’s only fair that communication is a two-way street! Love the giant play bow, few ways quite as fun to be silly as that.

Across Rec League

Respecting the Play Bow

Matt

“I learned a while ago that dogs perform what is called a "play bow" to signal that they are in a playful state. As demonstrated by my pup in this photo, the play bow posture is distinguished by a lowered front half and a raised butt, usually with a wagging tail and a glimmer of mischief in the eye. The bow is not only frickin' cute, it is one of many reminders of the fathomless wisdom of dogs: Som”

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