And a lot of what makes up play between dogs, as well as dogs playing with humans, is play fighting. Why Do Dogs Play Fight with Humans?ĭogs also learn appropriate play skills with humans.ĭogs are very social animals, and play is a big part of their interactions with us. In fact, dog play behavior is important for brain development and learning to interact with other dogs appropriately.Īdditionally, play is a great way for dogs to blow off some steam, eliminate stress, and get some exercise. It also helps them to build social relationships. Why Do Dogs Need to Play?ĭogs play because it helps them learn both social and motor skills. We’ll try to explain some of the most important things to understand about dog play below. This means it is important for owners to understand the significance of dog play, as well as the hows and whys of the subject. I certainly don’t get along with every single person I meet, and your dog likely won’t either! The Basics of Dog Playĭespite the fact that dogs obviously have fun while playing, play is also an important aspect of a dog’s maturation and well-being. Some use their paws a lot when playing, yet others prefer to use their mouths more.ĭogs also recognize these differences, which means your dog may make friends with certain dogs but not others. Some dogs are quite vocal, while others are not. Some dogs are really confident and exuberant players. They all have different personalities and interests, and this will manifest in different play styles. It’s important to understand that all dogs are individuals. First Things First: All Dogs Are Individuals

We’ll try to answer these questions and explain the things that do and do not constitute appropriate dog play below. How do I know if my puppy is taking playtime too far?.Owners always wanted to know the same kinds of things: During the puppy socialization and manners classes I used to teach, the most common questions I would hear related to play.

Puppies love to play reading