Playing With Your Dog – A Very Good Thing
Do you need an excuse to play? Many humans probably do. In this age of constantly-evolving technology we’re expected to do more and more in less and less time. Sometimes just scanning my Monday to-do list leaves me feeling somewhat overwhelmed.
Unlike many of us dogs need no excuses to play. Dogs love to play. They may not all enjoy playing the same games or with the same toys. But where there’s a dog, there’s very likely some kind of playing to be done and much fun to be had.
Scientists are still trying to figure out why animals play. Theories include practicing survival skills, and learning and maintaining important social skills. If you’ve watched dogs playing with other dogs or people, it may have occurred to you that perhaps one reason dogs play is to have fun. They certainly appear to be having plenty of fun when they’re at it.
If you have a dog you also have a perfect “excuse” to play. Playing with your dog yields wonderful benefits. It provides your dog with mental stimulation, an essential daily requirement for a healthy happy dog. Some games (like fetch and tug) afford your dog a chance to exercise, another daily necessity that too many dogs get too little of. Exercise keeps doggy bodies in good shape, avoids obesity and its attendant health risks, gives your dog an appropriate outlet for his energy and helps ward off behavioral issues. Depending on the game, dog play means you get some exercise too. My dog Vinnie adores playing one-on-one soccer with my husband; whenever they play they both get a great workout.
Playtime offers up lots of little training moments that help dogs practice impulse control. Play is an excellent stress reliever for humans and dogs. Play can be an especially effective way of building a shy, fearful or anxious dog’s confidence.
Doggy soccer anyone?
Perhaps best of all, playing with your dog regularly strengthens your relationship with him. Sharing enjoyable activities is one way in which people bond. Studies have shown that couples that play together enjoy longer happier relationships than those that don’t play together. As a therapist friend explained to me, doing fun things with a friend or significant other puts deposits into the emotional intimacy bank. You feel closer and happier when you’re doing having fun together.
Playing games with your best canine bud involves doing an activity together in which you communicate, work cooperatively and develop mutual understanding — all hallmarks of good social relationships. So is fun. Whether you’re playing tug, Frisbee, hide and seek, Freeze and Go Wild, or another game you or your dog has invented, hopefully you’re both having fun. (Part of the fun for me is seeing how much my dog’s enjoying himself when he’s playing!)
Life is tough. We could all use a healthy dose of frivolity and fun. So go ahead. You don’t need any excuses. Play with your dog! Play with him regularly, safely and have loads of fun. If anyone scoffs, remember that play’s underrated. You’re doing something fabulous for yourself and your dog, and deepening your relationship while you’re at it.
Do you have favorite games you play with your dog? We’d love to read about them in a comment.
I like to break up our training sessions with playtime.
Two or three minutes of training, and then a few minutes of playing. Usually, playing with a ball or tugging on something. Then more training, then more play.
It helps break up the training. Also, when we’re done, she’s really tuckered out!
Ginger loves playing with two or three balls at a time. She’ll get one, and then want you to throw a second one. She’ll carry around the first one and bat at the second one with her feet. She’s actually pretty skilled at kicking it where she wants it to go and brining it back to you!
Mary
I couldn’t agree more about the importance of play with our dogs.
It’s something I use to bond more, as a reward and just for pure enjoyment.
One of our greyhounds though isn’t predisposed to play in the traditional manner (my latest blog posting talks about play too & in particular Stevie)but it looks like we’ve found a toy he does like to play with – a rope snowman:D
Mina, our lurcher, will play tug with an Orka Jack, drop, retrieve etc. Jasper, our latest greyhound, loves to play and has brought out the playful side of Mina. He regularly engages in traditional play bows, woofs and play growls (yes really!) to get his canine companions to play with him. It’s a joy to watch and a real privilege when I get to join in the fun too!
Susan
Hi Mary,
I agree — breaking up training with playtime is a great idea to keep training even more fun and interesting, and is good practice for the doggy in revving up (play) and calming down and focusing (training). Wish I could see Ginger in action – she sounds like quite a juggler with all those balls!
Take care,
Lisa
Hi Susan,
Thanks for reading and commenting. I love what you say about playtime with dogs being a “joy” and a “real privilege.” Here here!
Best,
Lisa
Awesome, such an important post! I always find myself having to remember that spending time with my dog not only means a walk and training time, but also means PLAY time. How fun for both of us? I actually will even get down on all fours, play bow and roll around on the ground with my pup. She loves it when I do. =) Here’s an article with some fun, indoor activities you can do with your pup even if it’s rainy/snowy/cloudy out: http://bit.ly/5JR8aO
Me and my dog play a fuuny game called over and under.i go on my hands and knees, and she jumps over me. Then,i go under her, and we countinue. NOTE: this probably will not work with little dogs. My dog is a Lab.
-Nicole, AGE 9