You took your dog to dog training classes and you both enjoyed it. When he completed the training he was a happy, confident, and well-behaved dog. But, when you both went back to your usual schedule, he slipped back into old, unacceptable behavior patterns. He’s anxcious, demanding, or simply bored. As a result, neither of you are happy and you don’t know what to do next.
It’s time to play with your dog!
Training the dog didn’t change its mentality. That’s why it’s relatively easy, for dogs as well as humans, to change their behavior in a controlled environment. However, when you get back into your old environment, the newly learned behavior seldom sticks. The answer is to put something else in place of the old behavior.
It really is that simple, your dog needs to play. Dogs are playful, it’s how they express themselves and get rid of extra energy. It prevents boredom, encourages them to use their instincts, and their mental capacity, and get exercise at the same time. Dogs love to spend time with their human parent - chasing, searching, or just having fun while walking.
If you want to be a responsible dog owner and have a dog that is well-adjusted and happy, you need to find the time to play with him. Alternatively, take her to doggy day-care a few times a week, or get someone reliable to take her for walks.
How often and for how long you play depends on the dog’s age and breed. Puppies need short, regular playtime because they tire easily, while older dogs need more gentle play to keep them active, healthy and alert. Active breeds will need more strenuous playtime than more sedentary dogs.
Playtime can be as little as 10 to 15 minutes at a time. It can help your dog to be a confident, well-adjusted pet, and get rid of unacceptable behavior
You can play physical and mental games with your dog. Physical exercises include walking, playing fetch or tag, and agility training, or you can focus on mental exercises like interactive toys, scent training, or tracking.
Different dogs and breeds favor different exercises, and you’ll need to find activities that amuse your dog and keep her entertained. You don’t need expensive or complicated games - playing with an old tee shirt wrapped around a creaky plastic bottle is an easy way to keep a dog amused.
Remember to regularly check the safety of toys and other playthings for sharp edges or parts that can come loose and be a choking danger to your dog. Be careful not to let the games make the dog so excited that it becomes dangerous. Set clear boundaries and stop when he plays too rough.
Mental games involve cognitive training and help to keep him mentally sharp. You can also buy interactive toys like an interactive feeder or a snuffle mat to amuse him.
2. How to train your dog while exercising
You may also want to train your dog while you do things you both enjoy, either to reinforce previously learned commands, or to teach her something new.
3. The benefits of playing with your dog
The benefits of playing with your dog are so huge that it makes the time and effort it takes absolutely worthwhile.
In short, playing with your dog is good for both of you, its’s fun, and improves your relationship. So start playing!
It’s time to play with your dog!
- Why training sometimes doesn’t work
Training the dog didn’t change its mentality. That’s why it’s relatively easy, for dogs as well as humans, to change their behavior in a controlled environment. However, when you get back into your old environment, the newly learned behavior seldom sticks. The answer is to put something else in place of the old behavior.
- Your dog wants playtime!
It really is that simple, your dog needs to play. Dogs are playful, it’s how they express themselves and get rid of extra energy. It prevents boredom, encourages them to use their instincts, and their mental capacity, and get exercise at the same time. Dogs love to spend time with their human parent - chasing, searching, or just having fun while walking.
If you want to be a responsible dog owner and have a dog that is well-adjusted and happy, you need to find the time to play with him. Alternatively, take her to doggy day-care a few times a week, or get someone reliable to take her for walks.
How often and for how long you play depends on the dog’s age and breed. Puppies need short, regular playtime because they tire easily, while older dogs need more gentle play to keep them active, healthy and alert. Active breeds will need more strenuous playtime than more sedentary dogs.
Playtime can be as little as 10 to 15 minutes at a time. It can help your dog to be a confident, well-adjusted pet, and get rid of unacceptable behavior
- How do you play with your dog?
You can play physical and mental games with your dog. Physical exercises include walking, playing fetch or tag, and agility training, or you can focus on mental exercises like interactive toys, scent training, or tracking.
Different dogs and breeds favor different exercises, and you’ll need to find activities that amuse your dog and keep her entertained. You don’t need expensive or complicated games - playing with an old tee shirt wrapped around a creaky plastic bottle is an easy way to keep a dog amused.
Remember to regularly check the safety of toys and other playthings for sharp edges or parts that can come loose and be a choking danger to your dog. Be careful not to let the games make the dog so excited that it becomes dangerous. Set clear boundaries and stop when he plays too rough.
Mental games involve cognitive training and help to keep him mentally sharp. You can also buy interactive toys like an interactive feeder or a snuffle mat to amuse him.
2. How to train your dog while exercising
You may also want to train your dog while you do things you both enjoy, either to reinforce previously learned commands, or to teach her something new.
- Use positive reinforcement like treats and praise, do not punish your dog. You are dealing with an animal (no matter how cute!) that sees the world in a different way than you do. Learn to trust each other, and remember he wants to please you!
- Be consistent and make time to play/train every day. Repetition is important when learning something new or reinforcing previously learned behavior. Make playtime something your dog looks forward to.
- Use your daily walk to practice commands like stay, wait, and not pulling. Then praise her and give a treat. Teach her to remain calm when you encounter other dogs and people. Remember it's important that you remain calm and relaxed as your dog will pick up anxious body language.
- Dogs are scavengers, no matter how well fed, so teach him to stay away from potentially dangerous things. When he does pick up something like an old dry bone, tell him to ‘give’. Remember the treats in your pocket and tell him he’s a clever dog!
- Play games like fetch and tag to teach commands like fetch, bring, search, or give. Start with short distances and gradually increase the distance as she masters the command. Remember to praise and give a treat!
- The recall command is one of the most important ones to teach your dog. Use his name and a specific word like ‘come’ or ‘now’. First practice it at home, and then when you go to the dog park or beach. When the dog is of leash, call it with the chosen command (come Rufus) and give a treat. It may save your dog's life one day.
- You will also want to teach your dog to stop bad behavior like jumping on people, barking, chewing, and digging. In these instances you need to distract the dog from what she's doing and put something else in its place. Try to find the reason for the behavior, is he jumping to get attention, and is she digging because she's bored?
3. The benefits of playing with your dog
The benefits of playing with your dog are so huge that it makes the time and effort it takes absolutely worthwhile.
- When you and your dog play and exercise together, it strengthens the bond between you.
- Playtime provides physical exercise for both of you, particularly when it involves active play or walking. It also helps to fight obesity and keeps the dog healthy.
- Playtime provides mental and emotional stimulation, tires her out and help to fight boredom, a main cause of dogs behaving badly.
- Studies have shown that playing with your dog can help him to be calmer and more obedient.
- As mentioned above, playing with your dog is an opportunity to reinforce training and teach her new skills. When you make it a game, she wouldn’t even realize she’s being trained!
In short, playing with your dog is good for both of you, its’s fun, and improves your relationship. So start playing!