play fighting; when to step in?

 I'd just leave them alone.

Snickers will let Jeter know when he's had enough. 

I just got a new puppy. Joker is a 4 month old energetic Vizsla. I also have a 2 year old Irish Setter Lillie. Lillie doesnt have a mean bone in her but she will let Joker know when he's being too annoying or she is just tired of playing.

I can understand not wanting them to play like that in the house constantly. But if your willing to let it go on for 5 minutes I would let them play a little bit longer. Or do some training or plat with him yourself in the house.

I step in when I think one dog is going to far or if I'm concerned over their behavior.  Sometimes Luke can get a little too over the top when he really gets to playing -- at his size, this can be just plain old unsafe when playing with smaller dogs (like Kaiser).  He doesn't mean any harm, but you can't have an 83lb dog jumping on top of a 14lb dog.

I've had to monitor some of Kaiser's playing as he's matured.  He plays fine with Luke, but we've had some issues with him getting a little too snarly with other large dogs when play time starts getting too rough.  He's a dominant type and likes to be on top, so when my friend's big Golden Retriever puppy, for instance, stands over him, Kaiser doesn't like this and can get a bit viscious.  He doesn't/hasn't done harm to anyone yet, but this is not behavior I want from him.  When he gets snarly like this I remove him from the situation until he calms down.  When he settles, he can go play again.

In general, I think it's just about knowing your dog(s) and knowing their body language.  I can tell in an instant if the playing is going too far and step in to remove a dog.  Most dogs give off cues that they are reaching their limit long before they actually explode.

I've got a similar situation with my two young houligans.  Heidi who is almost 2 years and new Bruder who is 1 year old.  They play and they play pretty hard at times.  I don't allow rambunctious play in the house at all.  If I see it getting ready to escalate I put a stop to it.  Mine are too large to allow it, IMO.

Outside they play very well together, especially if I'm not in the area with them.  They chase each other, rumble, tumble and have a great time.  Sometimes, when we are outside with them...each one of them can get a bit guardy/herdy with us.  I don't like it, so I put a stop to it because it can escalate to a crazy level...and usually Bruder gets the brunt of it.  If I see that he is in a situation where he looks or sounds distressed...I'll make them stop, put each one of them in a sit stay until they chill out.  Then, I'll separate them for a little while, if I feel it necessary.

Mine are both young, so I'm sure that as they get older...their play will settle.  How old, I dunno.

Also, I've determined the times I can anticipate Heidi getting unnecessarily rough with Bruder.  Just like you, after they've been kenneled for a while.  With Heidi, its definately her pent up energy and knowing she is about to be released; its just excitement.  I do the same thing you do...play ball (chuck-it) right away to release that energy. 

I think you have to go with your instinct.  If you feel or see one of them looking or sounding distressed...stop them.  If they are both equally having fun...and they keep going back for more...its probably allright to let them continue.  Although it doesn't hurt to assert your leadership anytime.

 I really don't let the dogs rough house like that inside. When they start to get really loud and moving all over the place, I yell "OUTSIDE!", and open the door. they happily take it out doors. Indoor playing is fine as long as it is not banging in to things and knocking stuff over.

I do step in and settle Abbie down sometimes though. Lily has no problem telling Abbie when she's had enough, but Neiko is too polite. He will give her some signals but he will not put his foot down. So, when he starts to run in to his crate, I make Abbie back off.

It's just a matter of getting to know your dogs and their styles of communication.

I have two young, 65 lb dogs and they play very rough sometimes.  I don't let them get too crazy in the house.  I don't worry too much about one getting too rough with the other as they will correct each other when this happens.  IF I feel they are getting too crazy I say "enough" in a firm voice.  This is like any other command and has to be taught before it can be enforced. Your seven month old is taking advantage of his puppy status but things will even out although some dogs will always take the submissive position and others the dominant in play.  Don't worry too much about them actually biting too hard but do worry about other injuries from running and slamming into each other. 

we don't allow wild roughhousing inside, but outside sure anything goes. It looks wild and rough to human eyes but it's normal doggy behavior. I wouldn't interfere unless it looks like it's moved from mutual play to bullying/harrassment by one dog to another.

 I have a five year old Parson Russell Terrier, and a nine month old hairless Chinese Crested. Both are female, and the puppy is intact. They get extremely rough, and loud, and crazy. I do tell them to settle down in the house if they get too rambunctious. They're small enough to play inside, but strong enough to knock over small furniture and move the sofa, LOL. There are limits, but.... as far as being rough with each other, as long as nobody squeaks, everybody's happy. If one or the other squeaks, the game stops, and they're told to settle for a few minutes.

The Chinese Crested has only ever gotten TWO toothmarks on her, and neither was from a game. Both were from corrections that went a little too far (the older dog has poor bite inhibition). She very, very rarely gets scratched. These girls tumble all over, growl, bark, bite, roll each other, etc etc. It's not nearly as scary as it looks and sounds.