This article concentrates on play,
play, play! How you play with your dog (and how you don't) makes a big difference
on how your dog behaves, both in and out of play sessions. Play can enhance
your relationship, increase your dog's willingness to do what you ask, teach
emotional control, and in general make life a lot more fun. However, anything
with the power to do that much can also do harm. Inappropriate play can reach
bad habits and create dogs who are emotionally out of control.
Many games with your dog will involve toys. Some of your dog's toys should
be of hollow, indestructible rubber into which you can stuff food (they are
called Kongs). These are great at keeping your dog occupied when you don't
have the time for him at that moment. This will also encourage your dog to
play by itself. There are also many interactive toys out there that can entertain
your dog for a long time. Have plenty of toys around, but only leave 3 or
4 out at any one time, and rotate in some 'new' toys every week, even though
you bought them months ago.
Although all dogs should have toys they can play with by themselves, the
best kind of play is interactive play with you. It's not only fun for both
of you, it's full of opportunities for your dog to learn and become more responsive
and better able to control himself when being emotionally aroused. It's also
a great way to enhance the bond between you and your dog.
Teaching your dog to fetch
This is a great way to exercise your dog before having to hike 5 miles yourself
before you get your cereal. You can stand in your back garden enjoying your
morning cuppa while your dog runs its tail off - well, you can as long as
your dog brings back the ball so you can throw it again (otherwise, that is
chasing not fetching!). To get started, practice in an area with few distractions,
start by waving the ball in front of your dog. It's usually the movement that
interests the dog, not the object. When he's focused on the ball, throw it
4-5 feet away. When he grabs it, that's great, but resist the urge to say
'good boy!'. Now clap your hands and start running away from your dog. This
will encourage your dog to move towards you with the ball in his mouth. Don't
worry if he doesn't bring it back all the way. As soon as he drops it, pick
it up and throw it again immediately. Don't ask him to sit after he brings
it back, that won't reinforce him for bringing the ball back and might even
feel like a punishment to him. You want to reinforce your dog for bringing
it back by immediately having it again.
Repeat this a few times, but be careful about asking for too much too soon.
Don't worry if your dog loses interest after 3 or 4 throws, this is common
at this stage of training. Gradually, over a period of months, throw the ball
more often, ending either before your dog gets bored with the game or before
he gets too tired. If your dog at the end fails to chase after the ball,
no problem, game over. Don't coax and plead, just walk away. Otherwise, you
are being taught to fetch the ball yourself and be forewarned: dogs are really,
really good at teaching humans to retrieve!
Teaching Tricks
Teaching tricks is another wonderful way to play with your dog. Trick training
has the advantage of feeling silly and fun for both of you, while still teaching
your dog that it's fun to pay attention. Tricks are also great mental exercise,
and dogs need mental exercise as much as they need physical exercise. It
makes sense if you think about it. Our dogs' ancestors were problem-solving,
strategic hunters who had to plan and coordinate their activities based on
a complexity of factors. Many of our dogs are woefully under-employed, and
teaching tricks is a wonderful way to engage their brains.
The tricks you can teach your dog are limited only by your dog's physical
condition and your imagination. You can teach your dog to sit pretty, to look
sad, to take a bow, spin, roll over, shake, pray or even roll himself up
in a blanket when you say 'night night'. We like to use clicker training when
teaching tricks, as it gives the dog feedback with such precision. There are
many books out there in the market that take you step by step through clicker
training on some of the more popular tricks.
There's no reason not to think of sit and lie down as tricks too, and that
might be a good thing. People seem to be more relaxed and cheerful when they
are teaching their dogs 'tricks' rather than 'obedience'. They also have more
realistic expectations about tricks, rather than expecting their dogs to
obey out of respect and submission. Remember you get back what you put in.
If you want your dog to be enthusiastic, then be sure to be enthusiastic yourself.
Good dogs are made not born, and they rely on you to be their coaches, supporters
and benevolent leaders. So… here's to a long, wonderful life for both you
and your dog, and to keep practicing and playing together to forge the relationship
you want.
