3 Ways To Increase Your Dog's Play Drive!

Playing seems like a very natural part of a dog’s life, but it doesn’t come naturally to all dogs. Here are three ways that you can increase the play drive of your dogs.

Teach Them How To Play

If your dog isn’t naturally playful, past experiences (or not enough experiences!) could have prevented them from learning to play. They also simply may just not have the most playful temperament!

But you can teach a dog how to play. Start by getting a nice toy they will like, such as a stuffed toy, tug rope, or a tennis ball – then play with it yourself! Throw it around the room and run after it, acting totally silly and enthusiastic while speaking to your dog in a cheerful, goofy voice. Your dog will slowly feel encouraged to join in.

As soon as your dog interacts with the toy, praise them to boost their confidence and show them you like what they’re doing. Then switch the toy with another one and start again.

Find A Toy They Love

Encourage a dog to play by tuning into their interests. What always motivates your dog to get playing? Is there a favorite toy they already have, or a type of toy that they simply can’t resist? Use these types of high-value toys to encourage your dog when you’re training them.

These types of toys can also be used for correctional training, such as teaching your dog to ignore other things and focus on you. Toys make surprisingly good rewards!

Change The Toys Around

Your dog will eventually get bored with the toys they see every day. Rotate their selection so that it’s like they’re getting something brand new every week, even though it’s all toys they just haven’t seen in a while!

In addition, make sure to save the most high-value, excitement-inducing toys for special occasions or training!

Feature Image Source: Pixabay