Play
Play is an essential part in establishing a close bond with your dog. Play mentally stimulates a dog which will reduce the likelihood of boredom, and will provide it with physical exercise, which helps to maintain a healthy target weight. Play burns off excess energy, which can help your dog stay more focused during working. Play is also a great stress reliever for both you and your dog. However, it is important to remember that dogs play differently, and at different intensities. Some dogs may show excitable play by excessive mouthing and biting, as well as being vocal. This is not an acceptable form of play for a Leader Dog to exhibit, and should be discouraged if it occurs.
Having a daily designated “play-time” will allow the dog to establish a routine, and provide it with more understanding of when play is appropriate. Of course, additional play sessions can be added, or play periods can be adjusted to meet any change in a schedule that could occur.
If you take your dog to work try playing with it during your lunch period to provide it with a break from being on tie down or crated. If you are going out and leaving your dog at home for an extended period of time, playing with your dog prior to departure can help reduce stress and help the dog relax during your absence.
Determining a location to provide exercise is a very crucial component to ensuring the play session is done safely. Fenced-in or enclosed areas work well for running and practicing recall, while inside the home is good for calmer play and obedience sessions. The most important thing to remember about any location is the safety of you and your dog. Always ensure the area is secure, including all exits leading out of the play area so that injury or escape is prevented.
As you first begin playing with your dog, the dog should remain on leash so that you have some control over the dog’s reactions during the play session. As your dog earns its freedom, you can attempt play without the leash on while in an enclosed area. If at any point the dog starts to play rough or inappropriately, you should stop the play session. You can attempt to restart play if the dog calms down. However, if the dog tries to resume the inappropriate behavior, cease play and attempt it at another time. Play is a stimulating activity to your dog, be sure that you park your dog before you begin a play session. By parking your dog you reduce the likelihood of an accident occurring during the play session and preventing a bad habit of parking off command. In addition, you should start and end your play session with an obedience routine, this will help your dog focus and help you establish control before and after play. If you plan on working after a play session, be sure to leave time for your dog to calm down and relax. A good way to do this is through “T-touch” or by calmly stroking your dog.
Remember, the goal of play is to stimulate your dog both mentally and physically while maintaining control. One appropriate way to interact with your dog would be to allow your dog to run in an enclosed, secure area. During this session you can practice a sit-stay with a recall across the play area or practice retrievals using a Kong or Nylabone.
Another type of play are mental games that require problem solving. Be creative, if you have specific questions on whether a game is appropriate do not hesitate to ask an instructor. A few ideas mental games would be to stuff a Kong with peanut butter or treats, you can even freeze the peanut butter Kong to make it more challenging. You can play a game of hide and seek with your dog’s favorite toy, or you can have your dog “stay” while you hide and then call your dog so it searches for you. Always use discretion when making up games or tricks so that they do not interfere with the training or work of your dog.
While good play may be exhilarating and lead to a fun-filled day, bad play can have destructive effects to you as a working team, and to your trust and relationship with your dog. Some type of inappropriate play would be the dog initiating a game of keep away with you or by interacting inappropriately with you such as mouthing, biting or jumping on you. This type of play is not only dangerous to you, but may escalate to an undesired behavior.
When initiating a retrieval game with your dog, it is important that you do not use objects that you may encounter while working such as tennis balls, squeaky toys, ropes, clothing, stuffed animals, etc. Although it may seem cute to watch your dog walk around the house with his favorite stuffed animal, you must remember that these dogs are not pets but are working dogs and are permitted in many places pet dogs are not allowed. For this reason a dog would not understand why it can play with its favorite stuffed animal at home, but cannot play with one in the store whey you are shopping. It cannot know why it is OK to chase a ball during play time, but not to chase the ball while working on the street. With any other inappropriate behavior such as biting, mouthing or vocalization, fold your arms, turn away from the dog and ignore until appropriate behavior has been resumed. If inappropriate displays of play continue, you may need to cease play, put your dog back on leash and try again at another time.
There are no perfect rules or set guidelines for play that will work effectively for every dog in every situation. Above all, use your common sense and remember that play is very important to your dog and that without it you may have a very bored dog who starts to misbehave; howeer, you also have a dog with a job. Having rules and regulations for play time ensures that play time remains a positive experience for both you and your dog.
Revised December 20, 2013