JackieG
Posted : 5/4/2012 6:44:53 AM
Play behavior is complex and of course most of it mimics prey chase, shake, dismember behavior. Rex will do something similar when he and Gabby are playing but it's while they're doing the back and forth chase games. It never lasts more than a few seconds before they resume the chase game. If by chance Rex causes Gabby to yelp because he got too rough, he immediately backs off and gives her a play bow and play resumes.
Twister often rushes in and barks at the other dogs when they are racing around excitedly. If I see he's getting over stimulated by the other dogs play, I interrupt him and call him to me. You might practice that so you have a way to switch Buddy's mindset before he takes off after Ribbon, if you're concerned that it's behavior that could escalate into something beyond play. Since you say they often chase each other after Buddy does this, I wouldn't be too concerned. It's really hard to know without seeing it in person and knowing the dogs individual play style.
There is also predatory drift to consider and you might want to read up on that if you haven't already. It doesn't sound like that but again without seeing it's hard to say.