Dogs need to play and we humans could certainly use a little bit of play in our lives, too! Learning the "rules of the game” can help you keep play safe and fun for you and your dog.
What is cuter than watching a pile of puppies roll around, chase and wrestle with their siblings? Like young animals of many species, puppies love to play! And for dogs, play doesn’t end with puppyhood or with their canine relatives, either. Many dogs continue to play well into adulthood, sometimes for their entire lives, and include human family members in their pool of playmates. This desire to play with humans makes living with dogs even more joyful. It provides exercise for both species and nurtures the bond between them. But play must be done safely and appropriately for everyone involved.
Why Do Dogs Play?
Play may look lighthearted, but it’s serious business for many young animals – dogs included, and may serve several functions. Dogs and puppies may play to build coordination and fine-tune motor skills, learning how to turn, leap, and dodge and even how hard (or not) to bite (called ‘bite inhibition’). Dogs may also play to prepare themselves for stressful events in life – practicing responses to startling events. A third function of play may be to increase a dog’s social bonds with humans and other dogs alike. When we play well with our dogs, in other words, we are building cooperative, close relationships with them, cementing our bonds and meeting their needs.
Safety first!
There are many ways to play with your dog, and depending on the makeup of your household or who plays with him, some play styles and games are safer than others.
If you have children in your household, refrain from indulging in rough play with your dog. Dogs for the most part do not discriminate between adults and children, and if you reinforce rough play, your dog will also play roughly with your child. The same applies if children are regular visitors to your home.
If play does get too rough, stop the game immediately. Say “all done” and walk away. This gives your dog a very clear signal that rough behavior was what stopped the game. As dogs play a lot with their mouths, any deliberate or accidental contact with teeth on skin also stops the game. Boundaries are important for safe play.
Playing together
There are many games you can play with your dog that do not involve physical contact or being rough. Children can join this play as long as there is always adult supervision. Here are games that can keep everyone engaged and having fun:
- Chase a toy:
Throw a ball or other toy for your dog to fetch and energetically encourage him to bring it back. If you’re having fun, so will your dog. If your dog chases the toy but doesn’t bring it back, try playing with two identical toys. After throwing the first, wait for your dog to chase it and grab it, then show him the other toy you have in your hand and make it enticing by wiggling it, dragging it on the ground, or squeaking it. When your dog comes toward the second toy, throw it for him to chase and get it as you pick up the first. Repeat! (Do not play this game if your dog is a resource guarder - meaning he becomes aggressively protective of his toys. Get help from a certified dog trainer and play other games instead that do not involve toys or any resources he is likely to guard.) - Search:
Hide toys and treats in a room and then encourage your dog to find them. Make this game easy at first, ‘hiding’ them in the same room and in plain sight, increasing in difficulty as your dog is successful. - Human hide and seek:
Hide from your dog, and then encourage him to find you! You can call out to him or make little sounds as he’s looking for you. When he finds you, reward him by praising him and giving him a toy or a treat. - Be the Squirrel:
Dogs love to move, and if you find it challenging to move as much as your dog does, toys like ‘flirt poles’ work really well. A flirt pole is an extendable pole that has a tug or other dangly toy or material on the end, kind of like a large cat toy. By dragging the toy across the ground so it is “running away” from your dog, he can chase to his heart’s content without you taking a step. - Find it!
Throw a treat on the floor, about a foot away from you. Your dog should eat it and then look up at you to see if there is more. Do this a few times and then as you toss the treat a bit further away, say “Find it!” Your dog will go get the treat and then look back at you to see if there is more coming.
Tips for all play
It is important for us to be able to start (and stop) play. Clear signals or cues help dogs learn how to play appropriately.
- Teach your dog an “are you ready to play?” cue by saying that word before starting one of the games above. Saying the same phrase each time can help your dog learn when you are available to play.
- Teach your dog an “all done” cue. When it’s time to stop play, teach your dog a phrase or action that means the game is ending, such as saying “all done!” Ending an exciting game is best done with a “goodbye present” - a scatter of a few treats, the gift of a long-lasting chew, or offering a toy that your dog can keep and play with independently once you disengage.
- Learn how to read your dog’s intensity level: If you see your dog’s behavior start to escalate in intensity or force, it’s important to stop the game, at least briefly, before he gets overly excited. Too much excitement can lead some dogs to mouth you, do the zoomies (running at top speed) which may not be safe in an area that doesn’t provide enough space, or play roughly with less-than-willing participants. Watch your dog's body language and notice which activities cause a little excitement, a lot of excitement, or too much excitement for the players involved.
- Alternate Activities to help your dog modulate their play. Taking a break with quieter play can help your dog learn to play with you and other humans beings without getting over excited. Consider switching from chasing games to searching for treats or toys between reps of more exciting play like chase or fetch, or pausing with your “all done” cue and scattering several treats on the ground. Think of this like excitement interval training, alternating high-intensity games with slower, lower intensity ones.
Bottom line
Play is part of what brings humans and dogs together! Learn what play your dog enjoys, keep safety in mind, and build your bond through mutual cooperation and fun.
