On the street, at the park, on the beach and even at home, we often observe many dog owners playing with their four-legged friend. Play, in fact, is one of the most beautiful aspects of the relationship between humans and dogs, but do we really know how to play correctly with our animal?
Why play is important
Contrary to what one might think, play does not simply mean fun. Of course, it is also a way to improve our dog’s mood, but it is also an activity that provides many benefits, not only for our four-legged friend, but also for us owners.
Whenever we play with our dog, or when the dog itself seeks out solitary games, a series of physical and emotional reactions are triggered in its body and mind that can improve or worsen the dog’s balance, depending on how these games are played.
Play is essential from puppyhood for many reasons, including:
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Exercise the body;
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Avoid boredom, frustration and problems such as depression;
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Encourage the dog to express and develop its natural abilities;
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Teach self-control;
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Educate it in a “light-hearted” way through play;
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Better cope with being alone, avoiding problems such as separation anxiety;
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Learn the social rules for living in a pack by playing with us or other dogs;
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Socialize correctly.
Play also helps us owners understand our dog’s verbal and non-verbal language, and establish an increasingly “healthy” and solid relationship with our friend.
From an early age, puppies begin to learn the first rules of pack life through play with their siblings and mother. It is no coincidence that dogs who have not had the opportunity to fully experience this delicate stage of development often show clear signs of social maladjustment, which frequently lead to aggressive or inappropriate behavior.
When we play with our dog, in a sense we take the place of the mother, assuming the role of pack leader. This is why it is very important that the dog recognizes us as a guide to follow, at home as well as outside in the park; if this has not yet happened, we will need to work on the underlying problem.
Through play, we can nevertheless begin establishing the first rules of behavior, which will help the dog understand that it should not make decisions independently, but should follow our requests.
Dog training should not be a source of stress or discomfort for the dog. Teaching the main commands and behavioral rules is absolutely necessary, but through play we can also incorporate these rules while entertaining our dog.
In this way, we can represent the authority of the pack leader and, at the same time, be a source of fun for our dog.
What are the different types of play?
There are different types of play, which can be divided into several categories.
A first distinction can be made between individual or solitary games and social games, played with us or with other dogs.
Moreover, depending on the predominant activity and the abilities stimulated in the dog, we can further distinguish hunting games from search and intelligence games.
Hunting games mainly include balls, Frisbees, ropes and stuffed toys. All these objects should be offered to the dog so that it can associate them with prey. The dog enjoys chasing them whenever we throw them, while also exercising by running and jumping.
Hunting games have a strong stimulating effect because they encourage the release of adrenaline in the body. This substance increasingly excites the dog, which may develop a genuine dependence on this type of play and become unable to do without it.
For this reason, hunting games should never be used too often; in any case, they should be alternated with other types of play, which instead have a calming effect.
Intelligence games, such as food-filled toys, including resealable Kongs or actual boards with various sections to fill with treats, are ideal for calming the dog. Whenever we offer an intelligence game, our friend has to work and concentrate to get the hidden food out, thereby lowering adrenaline levels.
Search games, finally, include everything the dog is asked to do whenever we give the “search” command. This is always a calming activity that encourages the dog to look for objects and people hidden around the house, while also improving its olfactory abilities.
How to use toys correctly
The dog must absolutely be encouraged and motivated to play. If we offer it a ball and walk away with our back turned, it will never find anything fun about it. We must remember to show it that we are having fun together, and above all to use an enthusiastic tone of voice.
Now let us look at the toys preferred by dogs and owners.
Balls are a must for every dog. Whether they are battered soccer balls, tennis balls or hard rubber balls, dogs will always find them entertaining.
It is obviously our job to throw them, but our role does not end there. The owner must be able to get the dog to bring the ball back when asked, and above all to make it drop the ball by using the “drop it” command.
A dog that steals the ball and runs away whenever we approach to retrieve it should neither be ignored nor encouraged. To prevent this from happening, we must never scold the dog if it does not want to give us its toy.
Instead, pass a treat under its nose while saying “drop it”, and only when it has released the ball should you give it the treat.
Another important precaution is always to have two identical balls available. Throw one, and once the dog has caught it, ask it to bring it back and drop it. Only then can we retrieve it and throw the other one.
These rules also apply to ropes. Anyone who says that ropes encourage aggression in dogs is mistaken. These toys are suitable for indulging the dog’s predatory abilities, provided that the “drop it” command is always used and the rope is not simply pulled for the entire duration of the game.
Offer the rope to the dog, holding it level with its muzzle or lower, then use the “tug-of-war” technique for a few seconds. Next, use the “drop it” command. Take the rope back and start the game again.
The Frisbee is excellent for outdoor play. The dog can exercise by running and improve its vision and predatory abilities by locating and catching it. However, remember the rules that apply to all hunting games.
If the dog becomes too excited during this type of play, running or barking repeatedly, we can stop and continue with search or intelligence games, or decide to calm it using techniques that nevertheless require a higher level of training.
For example, we can use the “stay” command, leave the ball on the ground and slowly move away. Only once the dog is calm and focused can we say “okay” or “go” to give permission to retrieve it. Continue several times, alternating “drop it” and “stay”.
Alternatively, we can combine scent-search activity with hunting by hiding the ball, rope or stuffed toy somewhere in the house or in the grass, then having the dog look for it using the “search” command.
Other games to use regularly, alternating them with hunting games, are intelligence games.
Kongs, openable balls and intelligence boards allow food to be partially hidden inside them. In this way, the dog will be encouraged to continue playing until it reaches the treats, while also being able to “pass the time”, concentrate and improve its intellectual abilities.
The first few times, try to make finding the food a little easier by leaving the Kong stopper or the intelligence board door partially open. The game will last a little less time, but at least the dog will understand how it works.
These games are perfect for dogs that tend to destroy furniture and upholstery while we are away. Before leaving home, offer them to the dog and stimulate it with cheerful gestures and tone of voice; once it is focused on searching for the food, we can leave calmly.
Finally, remember that toys must be made of materials suitable for the dog’s chewing abilities. Avoid leaving chewed fragments and very small objects within its reach, as it could easily swallow them.