Help with backyard play

[Leah]

We have two dogs - one corgi mix that weighs about 40 pounds and a corgi that weighs 20 pounds. Both are 2-3 years old and adopted from rescue groups. They love to run in the backyard and chase each other. However, the heavier one just rolls the lighter one when she catches up with her. We are so afraid she will hurt her. Any suggestions on how to keep them from playing so rough?

I've been working on taking each one out by itself and making them come to me when called, but they have outside yard deafness when they are together.

[Michael Romanos]

Leah - it is very difficult to offer an opinion wirhout witnessing a usual play wrestling contest betewen your two dogs. You might have incorrect weight estimations but I get the picture. However, if a Corgi didn't like the rough stuff - especially from a bigger dog, he/she will quickly let you know just from body action if nothing else such as trying to break away, run away, tell off, start a scrap, cry/yelp in pain. Corgis are hardy, strong little dogs that can withstand quite a lot of rough and tumble and dish out some of their own medicine. I bet your Corgi cross knows just how far to go - most dogs do. And if the action is usually/always too rough for your Corgi, I doubt that your Corgi would come back for more. She would keep a wary distance. Most Corgis are highly intelligent.