The importance of play

The importance of play

We’ve all seen dogs playing with each other, seen the intense commitment the dogs have to their games and seen the dynamics between the participants. From a very early age, dogs play as a form of communication: it’s how they learn to read body language, how they learn self-control, how they demonstrate to themselves and others their character traits. Imagine if you could be an active player in the games your dog loves: the insights that would provide, the engagement it would build and the trust your dog would have in you. It is possible to do this, and it all revolves around productive play.

Play is the universal language that all species understand and it offers us as humans a chance to communicate with our dogs in a way that no other activity does. Games that have rules, that have consequences for winners and losers, that grow the bond between dog and owner, lend themselves beautifully to actual training: a game of tug that includes positions, for example, will elicit enthusiasm and energy from your dog that treat training simply cannot do. At some point, training and play blend together, and your dog’s enthusiasm to comply is lasting and carries over to other aspects of your interactions because your dog trusts you to be fair and to be a team leader but not a dominator who dictates behaviors to the point that the dog doesn’t get to make choices of his own. We want enthusiastic, confident dogs who enjoy complying with their owners for the sake of cooperation, and the fastest and most effective way to achieve this is through play.

As the foundation of our training program, regardless of the behaviors or past experiences of the dog, play is our best tool and is readily available to all dog owners. There is a wealth of information about the effectiveness of play; if you need help jump-starting your training through play, please contact us and we can help!