IS IT NECESSARY FOR A DOG TO PLAY?

When I was a kid I love to play with my friends, get socialize with people. Are they only human kids who need to play or refresh themselves by talking with other person? Answer is no every body wants to play whether it a human kid or animal kid. It’s a basic nature feeling. Every body wants to refresh themselves.

Someone has said "all work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy.” I think it’s a real truth. It is important that a dog gets to play with other dogs, not only for fun and exercise, but to develop and to keep its socialization skills.

Play sessions with any other dog is important because if he does not play he will lose his activeness and it will soon "de-socialize". It is important for the dog to interact with other dogs.

Dogs are also a beautiful creature of nature and they have their own prefernces like us. To whom they want to play or to whom they does not want to play it’s their wish.

Some dogs prefer to play with like colored dogs, that have gentle type play styles, some prefer to play with males instead of females, and some prefer to play with young dogs, while others prefer older dogs. There are dogs that love to play with a large group and some who prefer one on one play.

You should also aware of dogs play styles-

Need to know them some are below

Well different dogs have different play styles. Some dogs like cat-like play (pouncing - using their paws, spinning around the other dog without touching); others like chasing (with playful stalking and taking turns chasing one another.) Larger breeds love to body slam each other (which include hard bumps, shouldering, pushing into walls and wrestling) and then there is the neck-biting group (lying down with gentle neck biting, also on the face and ears.)

Different breeds have different styles of play. Toy breeds seem to prefer the cat and mouse pouncing type of play, sight hounds love a good game of chase, the working dogs like Newfoundland’s and Saint Bernard's love chasing and body slamming. While other working dogs like boxers, Great Danes, Samoyed, mastiffs and huskies like neck biting in their playtime.

Now next is how do you find a good playmate for your dog? I will tell you the playmate dog size should be similar to your dog size. It is important to make their introduction gradually.

If your dog has never been to a dog park it is a good idea is to leave your dog off leash in the holding area until the dogs in the play area have greeted your dog through the fence and have gone back to play. This removes the stress your dog would feel if suddenly a large group of dogs loomed down on him/her and your dog has no place to escape to.

Once your dog joins the group for play keeps a watchful eye on the group. They need constant supervision.

If you notice any sign of stress either in your dog or the dog(s) involved in the play call a halt to the game. Signs of stress can be half-moon eyes, lip licking, a dropped down tail, yawning, and ears pulled back or stiff body language.

. By doing so you may be saving your dog and yourself from a bad situation.