 Training
Your Puppy Through Play
Dogs are wonderful. As the symbols of unfailing loyalty and unconditional
love, dogs can make you feel like you really are something special.
But a dog is not a potted plant.
Dogs are messy because they are animals. You cannot expect them to know the cost
of your carpet or which of your guests will not like being licked. An adult dog
has roughly the mental capacity of a two year old child, minus the ability to
speak. A two year old human needs affection, stimulation, knowledge that they
are cared for and they need to be taught how to act. Without guidance, they
develop behavioral problems. Canines and humans share these needs.
You teach your dog by playing with them. Baby mammals play as practice for when
they are adults. Certain games that dogs just love are also educational. These
games come from a time before domestication, when canine puppies would grow up
to be hunters. Then, these games established hierarchy and taught vital skills.
You can play them with your puppy to show them how a good dog should behave.
Training Your Puppy Through Play - HIDE & SEEK
You’ve played this before, of course. You just hide somewhere your dog can’t
see you and call their name. It’s funny watching them try to figure out where
you are, but it also serves a purpose, teaching your dog to seek you out when
you call her. Reward her with a toy or a treat when she finally finds you.
Training Your Puppy Through Play - FETCH
This old classic is great exercise but it also teaches good manners. Your dog
will learn to go get the ball when they are told, to bring it back to you and to
give up the ball in order for you to throw it again. This tells them that you
are in control. Reward the puppy when you take the ball away and she will soon
learn to give up the ball when you ask for it.
Training Your Puppy Through Play - TUG OF WAR
The key to playing tug of war with your dog is to never let them get the toy
away from you. Canines in the wild play this game and it is a dominance game.
The wolf that wins outranks the other. Letting your dog win will turn her into
an anarchist. However, if you get the toy every time, she will learn that you
are the alpha dog and obey you.
Training Your Puppy Through Play - Hoops
This is another ball game, but its also a brain game.
Take a ball, and toss it in a basket. When you toss it
in the basket, give your puppy a treat. Do this a few
times, then, let her try. Give her the ball and get her
to put it in the basket. It will take a while, but the
important part is to reward her every time the ball
makes it in. Eventually, she’ll make the connection.
Setting aside time to play with your pet everyday is
essential to raising a well-behaved dog. However, some
games you might wish to play with your dog are not a
good idea. Any activity that teaches them to bite, even
playfully, is bad. Games that teach your dog to fight
for dominance are also no good.
There is a proper and improper way to play tug-of-war,
for example, which is mentioned above. Wrestling is also
out. Bad games teach behavior that is cute in a puppy
but in an older dog, is bad, and even dangerous,
behavior. Good games teach obedience and provide an
outlet for boundless canine energy.
These are only a few examples of games and the role they
play in helping your puppy to learn and grow. When you
play with your puppy, you should do so with the aim of
training them. Your games with your dog will strengthen
your relationship. Since playtime relieves stress, it
will make you both easier to live with.
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