Every responsible guardian knows that playing with a dog is an extremely important part of the day. It not only helps to release energy, relax, and engage muscles, but when done properly, it can even aid in behavioral therapy. Unfortunately, contrary to popular belief, proper play requires more involvement from the owner than just throwing a ball or hiding treats.
Most common mistakes in playing with a dog
1. Unlimited fetching
The most common mistake seen in every dog park is playing fetch without any limits. The owner stands in one place or sits on a bench and throws the toy, the dog brings it back, and... this goes on endlessly. Unfortunately, this kind of play can be harmful to the dog. During the run after the ball, there is a sudden release of hormones in the dog's body. This state is very pleasurable for the dog. The animal constantly wants more. You could say that fetching becomes its addiction. A dog "fixated" on one object and the activity related to it may have trouble focusing and may even show aggression related to resource guarding (in this case, the ball). Fetching itself is not a bad game, but it is worth doing it in moderation, for example, a few repetitions during a break from command training. It is also worth teaching the dog a command to end the play, such as "enough" or simply "stop," to clearly mark the moment when it is time to rest.
2. Dogs playing without supervision
Among owners, there is a belief that dogs can be allowed to play without supervision. This is especially dangerous when two unfamiliar dogs meet in a dog park. What initially looks like play can quickly turn into a dangerous situation. Animals that do not spend time together daily may misinterpret signals. It also often happens that young dogs insist too much on playing, which an adult dog may interpret as a threat and respond with aggression. Owners should carefully watch their pets during play and, if in doubt, separate them and walk away in opposite directions. Toys should also not be used in the presence of another dog, as animals may show aggression when defending a resource.
3. Lack of signals for the start and end of play
For play to be satisfying, it is worth establishing clear signals with the dog for the start and end of play. Very often, owners start playing with a dog using a tug toy, then stop halfway without giving a signal that it is time to rest. As a result, the dog left alone is frustrated and confused. It is worth adding a clear command like "leave it." Thanks to this, the dog will learn that giving up the toy is a normal thing. It will not always be focused on competing with the human and will avoid feeling threatened when the owner takes the tug toy away. For correctly following the "leave it" command, it is worth rewarding the dog. You can do this verbally, with touch, or with a favorite treat.
4. Too intense play
In tug-of-war play, it is also important to adjust the force to the dog's capabilities. Pulling too hard sideways or upwards can cause pain or even injuries. It is recommended that the tug toy stays at most at the dog's nose level. During such play, it is natural for the animal to growl. It should not be scolded for this.
5. Lack of warm-up
In games that heavily engage the musculoskeletal system, one more aspect is important. This is the warm-up often skipped by many owners. This is a mistake that can cause a lot of suffering. Before intense running, jumping, turning, and increased activity, the dog's musculoskeletal system should be properly warmed up. This will help protect the four-legged friend from many serious injuries.
A 15-minute warm-up can include:
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jogging
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slalom between the owner's legs
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stretching the muscles of the paws and back
6. Too high difficulty level
Not only physical games are problematic for dog owners. Mistakes also occur during scent games. The most common is frustration when the dog does not understand what the human expects on the first try. Assuming that every dog will immediately know to look for treats in a mat or around the house is wrong. The dog simply needs to be taught this game. It is worth starting by showing the dog where treats are hidden and encouraging it with the command "search." When the dog manages to find a treat, praise it. The training should start with easy hiding spots. Hide treats in a blanket. When you notice the dog understands it should look for something, you can gradually increase the difficulty and hide treats over a larger area and in more complicated places.
7. Lack of owner involvement
All mistakes made during play with a dog have one common element – a lack of adequate involvement from the owner. Every toy, even interactive ones, requires some effort from the human. Play is an important part of life with a dog. It helps build a good relationship between the owner and the pet. Remembering this makes it much easier to understand why play without human involvement is neither good nor developmental. Moreover, as with any pleasure, moderation is necessary in play. It is better to play with the dog in several shorter sessions than in one long one. The line between good play and frustration or exhaustion is thin. Careful observation of the dog's behavior can help us not cross it.
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