I (Hope) teach the first level of competition obedience for our dog club every Tuesday night. This past Tuesday I realized something that kind of freaked me out and made me sad. Most of my students don’t know how to play with their dogs.
It’s not that they don’t love their dogs. Or that they don’t spend time with their dogs. But some of them have the mindset that every interaction with their dog has to have purpose – and that purpose isn’t just fun.
Pet dogs play!
In this instance I think it’s clear that “pet people” have the advantage. They know how to just “hang out,” and spend time with their dogs. Without any guilt about what they “should” be working on to achieve their training goals.
Their dogs get to play – with toys or without. Tug. Fetch. Chew. Zoomies. All those things are important for dogs – and for us. They remind us of the Henry Ward Beecher quote: “The dog is the god of frolic.”
And play is important – for both of you. Studies have shown that dogs that play with their people are happier, healthier, and better-behaved than those that don’t.
Make them play!
We all need a bread from serious stuff. Including dogs. So after a few minutes of training, I told everyone “Exercise finished! Play with your dog.” And got almost a whole roomful of blank stares. Fran and her puppy Simon are in the class. So Fran served as an example for the class – getting on her knees right away and wrestling with her little Boston boy.
One of Simon’s latest favorite games is one we call “Throw the puppy away!” When Simon comes up, Fran gives a little push against his chest, backing him up a step or so. He pounces back, ready to get “thrown away” again.
The others in class just kind of stood around. One said her dog likes a ball. He doesn’t actually fetch it, or chase it. He just carries it around. Another said her dog likes stuffed toys, but wouldn’t carry one. A couple others just looked at us blankly.
Lightening things up
So I made them play with their dogs. You don’t need toys, or balls, or anything but yourself and your dog. I told everyone to give their dogs a little shove in the side. And say something happy and excited – “Wanna play?” “How about it?” “Watcha gonna do?” Questions keep everyone engaged – even the dogs.
Most were reluctant – including the dogs. They looked at their owners like they’d lost their minds. “You want me to what?”
So I went around the room and got everyone play-wrestling with their dogs. Only for a couple of minutes. And nothing over the top. Just a little gentle horsing around.
Back to business
Everybody needs to play – dogs and people. Especially when we’re learning. Remember your favorite teachers? Weren’t they always the ones who made class fun?
And then we began another heeling exercise. And everybody – dogs and people – did better. More animated. Better attention. Faster pace. Much more fun.
Keep it fun! Play with your dog!
