Why do we play with our four-legged friends? Because it’s fun, of course! But not only that: play strengthens the bond with your dog, sharpens their mind and coordination. Joy and movement keep us young and improve health and well-being. They help humans and animals alike to stay happy and balanced and, for the latter, provide an outlet for their natural instincts. Vitality is good, but don’t overdo it.
Starting with the Basics
At first glance, playing might seem like a simple, trivial activity. Often, we figure out what entertains and benefits our dog almost by chance. Other times, it becomes a bit harder to cater to their needs while respecting their instincts; this is because dogs are naturally social and territorial predators. Want to proceed systematically? Or feel your dog hasn’t yet learned to play safely? Then it’s time to ask yourself a few simple questions. Use the checklist below and answer each point as accurately as possible:
- What are my dog’s traits?
- Which behavior would I like to encourage?
- And which one would I like to mitigate?
- How much activity does my dog need?
- How much rest is required?
- What do I need to make playtime enjoyable?
In general, dogs can be trained through play, provided they feel motivated. Rewarding Fido when he behaves well with a treat, a “Good boy!”, a pat, or even another game encourages him to behave properly.
Alternate Activity with Rest
Every dog needs exercise and activity. The type and frequency of activity should consider factors such as breed, age, build, temperament, and the environment the dog frequents or plays in. Keep in mind that dogs need more sleep than humans. It’s not uncommon for a dog to sleep 15–20 hours a day. On the flip side, as a general rule, a dog typically requires about two hours of exercise and activity daily.
Each breed’s anatomical characteristics impose certain limits. A puppy plays differently from an adult dog: young dogs play more frequently than older ones. The older your dog gets, the more they’ll crave peace and quiet. Allow them breaks and adjust the frequency and intensity of play. When in doubt, rather than dragging them into the woods for another hour, indulge them with an extra cuddle.
Consider Their Personality During Play
Each breed has typical character traits and tendencies that breeders have deliberately accentuated. Many breeds naturally share fundamental traits like hunting instincts and territorial behavior, common to almost all dogs. While some comparability exists, not every dog of a particular breed will conform to all its associated stereotypes. If you’re unsure about the specific characteristics of a breed, consult a guide.
One thing is certain: personality remains the decisive factor. Not all Border Collies love herding sheep, and not all Retrievers excel at fetching. Take the time to understand your dog’s inclinations and consider them when playing together. Keep your dog engaged with suitable games, adjusting the duration, intensity, and amount of play. Don’t push them, and remember: your dog can have off days too. If they’re not in the mood to play, let them be; they’ll let you know when they’re ready.
Figure Out What They Enjoy
Observe how they move and behave: do they often sniff the ground? Carry sticks in their mouth? Dig holes or jump on tree trunks? Chase deer and birds? Noticing these behaviors puts you on the right path to identifying games they’ll enjoy most. If they display similar behaviors during play, it means they’re engaging in activities compatible with their instincts and not overdoing it.
Which Traits to Encourage
Do you know what type of dog yours is? Great! Then think about which traits to encourage and which ones not to. Is Fido’s hunting or protective instinct or territorial behavior not yet sufficiently developed, even though it’s a breed trait? Consider whether you genuinely want to reinforce this behavior, keeping in mind that in everyday life, it could become challenging to manage. You could start to awaken these tendencies through play.
If, instead, you notice that these instincts are already highly pronounced, you shouldn’t ignore or suppress them; this could make your dog ill or drive them to find their outlet, risking unwanted behaviors. The best thing to do is to let your dog express their instincts moderately through play.
Which Games Suit Your Dog?
Often, it doesn’t take much to play with a dog while respecting their instincts. Dogs are social beings: friendships with other dogs and humans generally make them happy. A nice walk or exploring their territory or an unfamiliar area with plenty of new and intriguing smells already combines play and activity beautifully for a dog. Let your four-legged friend calmly sniff shopping bags and other interesting objects.
Dogs love to chew and gnaw: pig ears, chew sticks, or natural rubber toys to fill and nibble on are popular pastimes. Intelligence games where the dog tries to open a drawer or lid by pulling a string or operating a lever can be an intriguing challenge for many dogs. Don’t expect Fido to succeed on the first try: be patient and guide them gradually to the solution. Praise, motivate, and assist them. Reward every bit of progress and end the game on a positive note.
Skip the Toys Once in a While
Giving your dog a plush toy isn’t always the best idea: they often see it as prey and end up chewing and tearing it apart. If you must give Fido a stuffed toy, choose a more durable one without small dangerous parts like plastic eyes.
Not all dogs react with interest to stuffed toys. If you haven’t yet taught your dog to play, start with food, an element most dogs respond to and which allows you to play creatively. For instance, show Fido a tasty treat and start running with it in your hand. Let the dog catch up and reward them with a treat or toss it for them to retrieve.
Feel free to combine multiple elements: hiding a reward for your dog to sniff out stimulates their sense of smell and intelligence. Or move it across the ground and let the dog chase it. Occasionally, throw them a treat, but don’t be disappointed if they initially feel overwhelmed by all these stimuli. They’ll need practice to learn. If food games are successful, you can likely move on to a toy. Many dogs enjoy chewing toys that satisfy their hunting instincts.
Chewing Bones: Pros and Cons
Giving your dog a bone can keep them occupied and help strengthen their teeth. Lamb and veal bones are solid and nutritious: calcium contributes to bone and dental health. Poultry and small animal bones, however, are unsuitable for play as they easily splinter and can cause injuries. Never give raw pork as it may contain parasites and certain viruses. Cooking bones also makes them prone to splintering. A dog swallowing bone fragments may experience pain when passing them or even risk an obstruction, requiring surgical intervention. Avoid giving your dog more than one bone per week.
What If Fido Doesn’t Want to Play?
If a dog no longer wants to play, there could be many reasons: fear, tiredness, insecurity, or pain. Nutrition also plays a role. An active dog needs a balanced diet, such as appropriate wet or dry food from a specialty store. Lack of interest in play might simply be due to physical fitness, mood, or the surrounding environment. Sometimes, you need to investigate deeper to find and resolve the issue. Often, giving your dog a new toy is enough to rekindle their attention and desire to play. Generally, though, never force your dog if they don’t want (or can’t) play: let them take a break. Chances are they’ll come to you voluntarily when they’re ready.
More: Dog Training
