Hi – Fran here! Hope suggested that I name my Friday posts. OK – Done!
I’m really surprised at how many people who own dogs don’t know how to play with them. They think that watching their dogs play with toys qualifies as playing with their dogs. Not in most trainers’ books. Dog trainers, and people who have a solid bond with their dogs, know that playing with their dogs actually does strengthen the relationship with them. In our training classes playing between exercises helps to keep the dog engaged which produces better attention and focus on the work. In agility class play keeps the dog’s energy up. With some dogs rewarding only with treats slows a dog down.
How to play? Tug, play fetch, or chase your dog! Get down on the floor and have fun!
That’s me in the picture playing with Booker. He’s a fierce tugger when he’s not at class. I’m working on play at class, but he’s so distracted by everything around him that he can’t even focus on the toy he loved at home 20 minutes earlier. So at class I’ll try asking him to perform play-like behaviors such as jumping up, dancing on his hind legs then lying down. And I’ll try putting a really yummy, stinky treat in a sock or something else that has a loose weave and tugging. A work in progress. We’ll get it one day.
