- admin@amity
- July28,2021
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DOGS AND PLAYFULNESS
Did you know that dogs are very playful as puppies but retain their playfulness well into adulthood? Dogs can keep playing their entire lives.
If we try and remember our childhood, our favourite games to play, favourite play spots, the rough and tumble games etc. it can seem like centuries ago because we just don’t function that way anymore as adults. Imagine playing in that same way now as adults. Would you play hide and seek with your adult group of friends now? Just can’t picture it right? Dogs can! It’s an interesting attribute that dogs have, being playful well into adulthood and retaining that fun factor.
To answer the curious question, we must look into why puppies play.
A veterinary study done at the University of Edinburgh, finds that playing is a major part of puppies gaining motor skills. Pounding, rolling, biting, jumping and all kinds of play movements help puppies learn balance and control and relevance to surroundings. The strength of their bite and how other dogs react is also an example of how dogs learn through play. Dogs that play in an engaged manner have chemical changes in their brain that help them be more agile and alert in reacting to survival situations. Therefore, it is very important that your dog is exposed to other dogs for play and not just humans. Regular playmate interaction can help your puppy grow up with all the needs required to acquire skills through play.
WHY DO ADULT DOGS RETAIN THAT PLAYFULNESS?
Understandably, puppies have a natural disposition to playing and learning to accentuate growth. However, dogs hang on to that playfulness beyond puppyhood. The answer to the question may have more to do with dog owners than the dogs themselves.
Dogs are super responsive to their owners and his/her emotions. One of the most evident traits of adult dogs is the willingness to please and they can do this by playing with their owner repeatedly. It has been found that human beings like playing with dogs so much to please ourselves that it is due to our behaviour that dogs have become more and more domesticated and playful. It is a well-known fact that human adults experience much happiness, engagement and bonding with their beloved pet dog. The quality and frequency of play with your dog is a big indicator in this matter.
SHOULD YOUR DOG ONLY PLAY WITH YOU AND NOT OTHER DOGS?
When you see your dog playing alone with a toy, just know that he would probably enjoy playing with you with that toy more. As an evolutionary concept, if our adult dogs play with us because that’s what we’ve been expecting of them, we must engage good quality time with them. It should be important to note that some dogs love to play with other dogs and some are not so keen. Follow your dog’s lead on that one. A well-balanced play routine for your dog is what you are looking for to keep them happy and engaged.
There are quite a few outdoor options for dog owners in Dubai to engage with their dogs. Most communities are also now pet friendly and have communal parks available within the communities dedicated to dogs. For any further information or advise on the subject you can always get in touch with us at Amity Veterinary Clinic, the best vet clinic in Dubai.
Did you know that dogs are very playful as puppies but retain their playfulness well into adulthood? Dogs can keep playing their entire lives.
If we try and remember our childhood, our favourite games to play, favourite play spots, the rough and tumble games etc. it can seem like centuries ago because we just don’t function that way anymore as adults. Imagine playing in that same way now as adults. Would you play hide and seek with your adult group of friends now? Just can’t picture it right? Dogs can! It’s an interesting attribute that dogs have, being playful well into adulthood and retaining that fun factor.
To answer the curious question, we must look into why puppies play.
A veterinary study done at the University of Edinburgh, finds that playing is a major part of puppies gaining motor skills. Pounding, rolling, biting, jumping and all kinds of play movements help puppies learn balance and control and relevance to surroundings. The strength of their bite and how other dogs react is also an example of how dogs learn through play. Dogs that play in an engaged manner have chemical changes in their brain that help them be more agile and alert in reacting to survival situations. Therefore, it is very important that your dog is exposed to other dogs for play and not just humans. Regular playmate interaction can help your puppy grow up with all the needs required to acquire skills through play.
WHY DO ADULT DOGS RETAIN THAT PLAYFULNESS?
Understandably, puppies have a natural disposition to playing and learning to accentuate growth. However, dogs hang on to that playfulness beyond puppyhood. The answer to the question may have more to do with dog owners than the dogs themselves.
Dogs are super responsive to their owners and his/her emotions. One of the most evident traits of adult dogs is the willingness to please and they can do this by playing with their owner repeatedly. It has been found that human beings like playing with dogs so much to please ourselves that it is due to our behaviour that dogs have become more and more domesticated and playful. It is a well-known fact that human adults experience much happiness, engagement and bonding with their beloved pet dog. The quality and frequency of play with your dog is a big indicator in this matter.
SHOULD YOUR DOG ONLY PLAY WITH YOU AND NOT OTHER DOGS?
When you see your dog playing alone with a toy, just know that he would probably enjoy playing with you with that toy more. As an evolutionary concept, if our adult dogs play with us because that’s what we’ve been expecting of them, we must engage good quality time with them. It should be important to note that some dogs love to play with other dogs and some are not so keen. Follow your dog’s lead on that one. A well-balanced play routine for your dog is what you are looking for to keep them happy and engaged.There are quite a few outdoor options for dog owners in Dubai to engage with their dogs. Most communities are also now pet friendly and have communal parks available within the communities dedicated to dogs. For any further information or advise on the subject you can always get in touch with us at Amity Veterinary Clinic, the best vet clinic in Dubai.
