Southern Warrior K9 Blog

A Dog Trainers Perspective On The Importance of Play Play is such an important part of a dogs life; as soon as puppies start learning to use their legs, they start exploring the world... and playing with their littermates! Play helps dogs establish connections and builds relationships with other dogs, so it makes sense that playing with their human-counterparts would be incredibly important for that bond to develop properly. If we could give most dog owners ONE piece of advice, it would be to learn how to properly play with their dog, and to do it more often! BENEFITS OF PLAYING WITH YOUR DOG Playing together strengthens the bond between you and your furry friend. It's a great way to build trust and reinforce your role as their loving companion. Teaching how to play appropriately, and enacting rules around play (drop it, wait, and release to get the toy, for example) can help dogs learn to control their impulses and respect us as the keeper-of-fun-things. The physical activity involved during playtime helps keep your dog physically fit. It promotes muscle development, improves cardiovascular health, and helps manage their weight. Obesity in dogs is a HUGE problem, so we can help keep our dogs living their healthiest lives by keeping them active and moving... especially in these cold winter months when we all tend to stay inside longer. Physical fitness is so important, so consider daily playtime as a healthy daily outlet that will keep both of you moving. Proper play provides mental stimulation and helps keep your pup's brain sharp. Just like humans, dogs need to exercise their minds to stay happy and healthy. Physical exercise is important, but it's much more exhausting when paired with mental stimulation. You can use your training skills during play to keep your dog focused and listening when they're excited. For example, try making them sit and wait before throwing the ball, rather than just chucking it as soon as they drop it. You might find your dog struggles with this initially, and they're not used to having to perform an obedience skill prior to chasing that ball! Once your dog learns that their response earns them another fetch opportunity, you can start advancing these skills as you play. Training during play provides an opportunity for you to teach and reinforce engagement and obedience commands, which helps build a super strong bond and will improve their training and overall mood. Furthermore, playing with your dog can be a natural stress-reliever for both of you. The joy and laughter it brings can help uplift your mood and reduce anxiety. If you're in a funk, getting outside with your best friend and just having a blast together can turn your entire day around. There's nothing like watching a dog frolic around enjoying life... it's a skill we should pay attention to and mimic as much as possible. If your dog has any anxiety around heavy activity (family gatherings, for example) or loud noises (fireworks, thunder, construction), getting them out to play and burn off some stress can help them get through anxiety-inducing events easier. Lastly, it's just plain fun! Dogs exude contagious joy and enthusiasm during playtime, making it an enjoyable and entertaining experience for you as well. So, why not grab a toy, a ball, or some high-value treats and engage in a playful session with your dog? It's a win-win for both of you! Play can be a game of fetch, tug-of-war, scent detection (or, just HIDE AND SEEK!), swimming, chasing a flirt pole, and more. There are dog sports entirely designed around play elements that we love helping dog owners explore. What specific game or activity are you interested in trying out with your pup? Reach out to us , we can help you find a great outlet for you and your dog.