Dogs are social animals and one of the ways they build and learn about relationships and communication is through play. Playing with your dog regularly will teach you about your dog’s personality and strengthen the bond between you. By preventing boredom, providing exercise and giving an outlet for your dog's natural instincts, play can ensure inappropriate behaviour does not develop.
What do dogs like to play?
It depends on your dog’s personality. Watch what your dog does when excited. Does your dog chase, grab or pounce on things? Experiment with a few different toys and, using a toy, mimic your dog’s natural play behaviour.
Games
Games fall into four main categories
Tug of war – toys to use include raggers and rubber rings
Chase and retrieve – use balls and Kongs on rope
Hide, seek and search – can be played with people, toys or food
Pounce and shake – squeaky toys encourage this type of play
Whatever toys you use make sure they are suitable for your dog. Check the toys regularly to ensure there are no small parts that could be chewed off and swallowed.
Have a selection of toys and swap them every few days to keep your dog interested.
Basic rules of play
Before you begin to play make sure you can easily take things away from your dog. If not, teach the 'leave' command (see the leaflet, Training your dog (D16)).
Don’t play rough and tumble wrestling games or allow your dog to chase children. Both are exciting for your dog but can encourage games that are out of your control.
Keep toys below waist height so that you don’t encourage your dog to jump up
Have frequent, daily, play sessions at home and when out for walks
Play in short bursts of up to five minutes and finish whilst your dog is still keen to play
When playing use an exciting voice with lots of praise and encouragement
For dogs that are keen to play only start the game when they are doing something you want – such as lying down quietly. This will encourage good behaviour.
Tidy toys away at the end of each play session
Never force your dog to play
Have fun!
Teaching your dog to play
This section is for dogs that haven’t learned to play with toys. It may be that your dog has had other dogs to play with or hasn’t learned to play with toys as a puppy. The following will help you encourage your dog to play with you and toys.
Only have one dog at a time in the room whilst teaching to play. You will probably have to get down to floor level and keep your voice high-pitched and excited. Don’t push the toy towards the dog – especially towards the mouth or face. Instead pull the toy away and cradle it as if it is something special or delicate to peek at, but not have.
Keep turning away from your dog and then occasionally drop the toy and snatch it back. This game will encourage your dog to compete for the toy. When your dog does grab the toy have a short, exciting game of tug of war.
For more sensitive dogs that are reluctant to grab a toy you may be able to encourage them by using an old sock with tiny pieces of cheese in the toe. Start the game when your dog is naturally excited and as your dog pulls at the sock to get to the food you can gently pull back. Encourage your dog with gentle praising, building to excited physical and verbal praise when your dog is more enthusiastic.
Dogs can also be encouraged to play with toys by using a toy designed to have food pushed into it. Show your dog the toy, let your dog sniff the food and then roll the toy along the floor. Your dog will follow it and then be rewarded by being allowed to chew the food out. Your dog will associate the toy with food and will soon enjoy chasing the toy along the ground.
