It is not enough to play with your dog, you must also teach him to do it correctly avoiding some mistakes, even if made in good faith. We often hear owners who complain about the impetuousness of their dog, too lively or unable to stop the moments dedicated to play, especially if young; how should one intervene in this case?
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
It is important to reiterate once again what we have repeated several times: the need for that the puppies live with their mother and their siblings at least for the first two months of life. During this period of time, the maternal presence is fundamental for the subject's educational growth, which will then also be reflected in his adult behavior; and play is of considerable importance: it is through playful activity that the puppies measure themselves, but at the same time they learn to moderate their instincts, controlling above all the bite. This does not mean that during the game the dog no longer uses his teeth, but with the ability to stop and not cause physical damage, both in conspecifics and in humans. But that's not enough, some of the work has to be done by the owners which, even if in good faith, they shouldn't do
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Getting the dog too excited
È iIt is important that during the game the animal does not get excited beyond the limit, going beyond its ability to control; we also cannot expect them to understand that our “Enough, I don't want to play anymore” coincides with theirs, especially if they are young and therefore with a lot of energy. For animals, play is not a diversion, but a"Activity" that must occupy part of their daily life (read also The importance of play for animals): it is important to always leave games available to them, few, but different every day to continuously stimulate their curiosity, especially when they remain alone for too long. But the game with the master is also for them however unique, and is a valid means to strengthen the relationship. But you need to know which is the best method.
Playing games where competition and aggression prevail
Avoid games where aggression, struggle, push and pull prevails, where competition prevails and where the animal would inevitably tend to put its own strength into play; and if it is granted once, why shouldn't it always be lawful? We must remember that animals do not think like us humans, they cannot evaluate the situation: if a certain behavior is right in a given moment, why shouldn't it be right in another? It is therefore important to ask yourself why your dog is too impetuous and material even during play: maybe because we allowed it in certain other circumstances, maybe not us, but some other family member? Or was he not used to self-control since he was a puppy? And then it is our job to educate him in case you feel this tendency in your four-legged friend.
For example, we must not teach him to play with his hands and arms, shaking them and giving him a "taste" near the muzzle and then retracting them: this is interpreted as a "Come on, let's see if you can catch them?" and your limbs thus become the targets to be grasped, even when you do not expect it; and if he is encouraged to nibble, he could also do so with other family members, including children (I reiterate and underline again the importance of never leaving children unattended, alone with an animal, even if it is your dog, the one with they have always played).
Don't teach the limits of the game
Very often the bosses complain saying “We played for an hour, but he is never tired”; how does the dog understand that we are, and right now? It is useless to scold him, useless to reject him by trying to drive him away, because this behavior could instead be interpreted as a further invitation to play. It is difficult, and it may seem like the longest and most demanding strategy, but in such situations the best way is to ignore it until it calms down, and then reward it; and if this coming back to him could again be interpreted as another invitation to play, one must stop immediately and start ignoring him again until he calms down for the second time; and so on, until he has completely calmed down.
Playing on bed
Avoid playing on the bed because it could become the "entertainment area" at any time; and it is not so pleasant to be awakened in the middle of the night topped by a hairy mass that just wants to play; and how then to make him understand that it was possible to play there on a comfortable mattress once, but this must not become the rule?
Use personal items as toys, even if they are old
Especially if they are puppies, avoid using objects that you care about as a game tool, such as shoes, slippers, children's soft toys, or the same leash, because they could always become an attraction, especially when we are not around. For the same reason, avoid using slippers or other objects that you no longer care about because they would not be able to distinguish the difference.
On how to play with your dog you can also read:
- Games to play at home with your dog: 10 activities to have fun when you can't go out
- How to build a toy for dogs with plastic bottles (PHOTO and VIDEO)
- 15 things owners should never do in a dog area
