Playing with your active dog is a great way to strengthen your bond with them, and playing together every day keeps you both mentally and physically fit. What more justification is there?
Playing with you will be your dog's favourite activity, and the enjoyment they get from it is a reward in and of itself! As Purina's Pet Behaviourist outlines the activities that our pets like playing, continue reading to learn more about playing with your dog.
Playing with your dog
Play is more than simply an enjoyable aspect of dog ownership. Actually, it's a crucial component of how each of us maintains our bodily and mental well-being. Playing with your dog every day is therefore beneficial for your social and physical health.
Naturally, the games you play are influenced by whether you own a dog or a cat, as well as the kind of dog you own. Collies like chasing, Retrievers enjoy retrieving, and Hounds enjoy using their noses to track odours and locate their toys. Of course, a lot of dogs like playing "hide and seek" with you outside and using tug-and-chew toys.
Additionally, feeding dogs need to be more of a game than just putting food in a bowl. To teach your dog obedience or even to teach your cat tricks like rolling over and pretending dead, use part of your pet's daily food as rewards during routine training sessions.
Put some of your dog's food in foraging toys, which are sold in all decent pet stores, and conceal them in various places throughout your house each day. To get their meal, your pet will need to locate the toy and then manipulate it. The concept is far more demanding, interesting, and fulfilling than just going to the food bowl.
Above all, enjoy yourself when playing any game.
Why should you use find’n’seek food games when playing with your dog?
Why food games like "find-n-seek" are so entertaining is explained by our resident pet behaviourist. Since all intelligent animals like a challenge, your dog will also enjoy playing these games during dog playtime.
To put it briefly, teaching your dog to "hunt" for their food is one of the greatest methods to keep them happy since they have a lot of natural intellect that needs to be used.
If a dog is fed in an easy or "boring" fashion, they may try to keep themselves busy in other ways. They may chew the couch, compete for your attention, or play with something you don't want them to, all of which could lead to a behavioural issue if left unchecked. Pets that are bored may also sleep a lot, which makes them more sluggish and less inclined to exercise, which contributes to their increased weight gain. As your dog would in the natural, a smart find-n-seek food game will mix activity and food, avoiding that vicious cycle.
Actually, your dog will never get bored with supper if you turn it into a recreational activity, and you'll likely have a load of fun too!
Playing as a form of dog exercise
As everyone knows, dogs expend a lot of energy when they chase balls, participate in dog sports, and go on walks. It's also a terrific way to spend quality time with your dog! Your dog loves to play; from puppyhood to old age, they will enjoy chasing, batting, and jumping on various objects! Actually, one of the best things about owning a dog is getting to play with them.
Additionally, it has several health advantages, promoting your dog's physical activity, flexibility, and overall well-being.
Puppies begin playing at four weeks of age, and they spend the most of that time chasing and playing with their mother, their littermates, and even you! Why not give any of these fantastic toys a try to keep your dog or puppy busy?
- Playing tug-of-war with your dog or puppy is a lot of fun. Purchase a rope or tug toy from your neighbourhood pet store and start playing with your dog!
- You may play hide-and-seek with your dog at home or at the park, so it's always a fun game! Before hiding behind a tree or piece of furniture, instruct your dog to sit or remain. Call your dog or puppy to come find you if you feel like you're lost!
- Playing the fast-paced game Fetch is also a fantastic way to work out! A soft toy should be thrown far enough for your dog to retrieve it and return to you.
In order to prevent your dog from becoming overly used to the toys and to ensure that their return is greeted with excitement, keep them out of sight in between dog play sessions. Additionally, you will quickly become your dog's favourite chew toy if you don't use your fingers or toes as toys!
Sport as a form of dog exercise
You and your dog may engage in a variety of activities to turn playing with your dog into exercise, ranging from mild obedience training to active sports like flyball.
Just keep in mind that playing is essential to your pet's overall health and well-being and is not only a luxury. Nevertheless, playing should never seem like a job, regardless of what occurs or your pet's distinct personality. See how it helps you both, be imaginative, and enjoy yourselves!
Have fun with these puppy play and sports ideas, next.
