5 Skills That Your Dogs Can Learn Through Play Time!

Your dog goes down on his elbows with his rear end up, tail raised and wagging. With ears pricked and mouth open, he approaches and withdraws while leaping and pouncing about, sometimes accompanied by an excited bark. He knows it is time to play.

Play is an essential and pleasurable activity for dogs that helps develop their cognitive and physical functions. Here are five skills that dogs can learn through play:

Increased Confidence

Regular interactions establish a close bond and good rapport between pet and person, leading to a well-balanced dog. Play and other forms of exercise keep dogs in good health, which in turn builds their confidence and trust.

Improved Manners

Play can be an effective tool in teaching dogs to control their impulses and learn decent manners. For example, a controlled game of tug of war helps with impulse control. A well-mannered dog becomes more adaptable, sociable, and stable in different environments.

Reinforcement of Basic Training Commands

Basic commands such as “drop”, “fetch”, “give” are recalled and reinforced through strategic play. Make it a consistent positive experience by keeping play fun.

Engagement of Natural Abilities Through Nose Work

The game of three cups and other simple nose work games engage the natural scent abilities in dogs, and also teach good manners.

Help Problem Solving Skills Through Puzzles

Incorporating mental stimulation in the form of puzzle play helps dogs to develop problem solving skills and tires them out at the same time.

Feature Image Source: Pixabay