What is it about play that makes it so important!

Play for humans dates back to the 15^th Century according to Stuart Brown Play Researcher/Psychiatrist. There were many different forms of play. The play helped prevent depression. Play helps form a connection and bond from a Mother to her baby. Play forms a connection with our siblings and our friends. Play is present right throughout our children’s lives. Adults love to play again in various ways. The basis of human trust is established through play.

Why: Why do we play?

Because it feels good.

Why does it feel good?

Because the hit of dopamine makes it feel good.

Research shows that it takes about 400 repetitions to form a new synapse in the brain, unless it is done through play, then it can be as low as 10-20 repetitions. Dogs love to play as well. Play stimulates the Modal Action Pattern in the dog. The behaviours become self-reinforced. It feels good!

Play creates muscle memory.
Play creates coordination
It helps put sequences together for dogs.
Play is cognitive, emotional and physical. Nothing lights up the brain better than play.
Without play the brain doesn’t develop as well.

The opposite of play is not work it is depression. Studies have shown dogs that don’t play can have depression concerns. Says Stuart Brown play researcher.

Jane Goodall will say that play is the form of facial features, vocal features, body and gestures. Our play will differ in many different animals not just dogs. In dog play again this can change as to the breed of dogs.

So, what is so good about bringing play into our everyday life with our dogs?

It can be incorporated into obedience skills. It is a way of communicating to our dogs that we are pleased with their results and out comes a toy. This toy has produced loads of dopamine for the dog upon producing the toy. I suggest not incorporating the toy into obedience until you have a good play system in place. The dog really understands the game you want to play.
Play is a way to begin to remove food out of your reward system. Give them what they want if play is more motivating to your dog than food.
Play can teach your dog motor skills and keep them mentally active. This is where largely, behaviours are repeated the same way saving energy.
Play gives them a purpose to want to do something.
Play brings out the sensory in our dogs as they search for that hidden ball in the long grass or garden.
With play you can teach retrieval skills or dead ball so it includes impulse control.
There are many other cues you can teach your dog while playing like the “out or give” command.
Play can teach your dog to pick up and to hold. Again, these are exercises to strengthen the jaw of the dogs. Strengthen the body.
When we interact with our dogs through play, we strengthen our bond and it to elevate stress in both owner and dog.
It will change our moods if we are feeling a bit out of sorts.

Let’s face it, who doesn’t like a good play! This interaction increases the chances of us owners laughing at our dog’s antics which again, a good belly laugh, releases so much pleasure within us.