All bark and no play makes Fido a dull boy. Playtime is not just about the fun. It’s as important to our canine companions quality of life as it is to ours.
The Key to a Dog’s Happiness
Dogs have earned the title of “man’s best friend” because of their loyalty, as well as for their playful and affectionate nature. They have the natural ability to bring out the warm and fuzzy in us. So it’s easy to understand why playtime, especially with their human companions, has serious benefits to our doggy buddy’s standard of happiness, comfort, and overall health.
Cherished Time with Their Humans
It won’t be an exaggeration to say that spending time with their humans is the best part of Fido’s day! And playtime never fails to make them happily wag their tails. When Fido brings us his favorite ball or sits expectantly beside his toy container, he’s not just telling us that he wants to play. He’s also telling us that he wants to spend time with us. His level of insistence and eagerness is directly proportional to how long we’ve been away. Bonding with our dogs through playtime makes them feel content and loved.
Of course, bonding is better with treats. At least, training is better with treats. And bonding occurs when training is fun and mostly effortless. EcoTreats is a fantastic way to keep Fido motivated without adding to his daily caloric intake. They are all-natural, low-calorie, wallet-friendly, premium treats dogs love. Several deletable choices are available. For training and play, we recommend EcoTreats wild-caught sock-eye salmon fillet bits. They're USA sourced and come with our 100% money-back guarantee.
A Fun Way to Keep Fido Healthy
Fido can get his daily dose of exercise through play. Playing fetch, tug-of-war, or hide-and-seek for at least 15 minutes everyday day will help our dogs burn calories, stay fit, and avoid developing other related health conditions. This is especially true if our buddy is left alone indoors for a prolonged period on a regular basis. Playtime is a great way to get him moving, as well as a fun and effective outlet for all his energy.
Having more than one dog means our pooch buddies can play with each other on their own as long as they’re provided a safe environment to do so, and they’re properly trained. But we should still make time to play with Fido on a daily basis.
It’s Good for Their State of Mind
Playtime with us, or with other dogs, engages and exercises Fido’s cognitive skills, keeping him mentally alert. And especially if our dog spends a lot of time alone at home - making him feel bored and even anxious - playtime with their human gives them the mental break they need and helps relieve their anxiety. As long as the activity makes him wag his tail, gets him on his paws, and preoccupies him, it will bring him to a happy state of mind.
An Effective Training Strategy
Through playtime, training our dogs becomes more fun and interesting. When they find the activity enjoyable, it’s easier for them to learn tricks and proper behavior. They also learn to see training as a positive experience and will be willing and eager to participate. Giving our dog proper training also has the added benefit of creating for him a comfortable and anxiety-free environment. Because effective training goes hand in hand with effective communication between us and our pooch, this helps make our dog’s home situation pleasant and healthy.
A Happy Dog is a Good Dog
A bored dog will misbehave sooner or later. He’ll find ways to occupy his time, get our attention, and release his pent-up energy. This often involves destructive and aggressive behavior, as well as aggravating vocalizations. Even if he has been trained, lack of playtime will make him act out, and he’ll refuse to obey our commands. But if he knows to expect regular playtime with his human, he’ll be a good dog and patiently wait for the fun ahead. The rule of thumb is to follow-through on to keep playtime regular and on-time.
Playtime Improves a Dog’s Quality of Life
From puppyhood to adulthood, playtime has many positive impacts on a dog’s quality of life. When we regularly play with our pooch, we let them know that they are cherished. We make them happy and content. We ensure their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
Perhaps more than anything, it is the time they get to spend with us through play that enriches their life and makes them thrive. Our loyal furry buddies live to please and adore us; making time to play with them every day is the least we can do to return their unconditional love.
Further Reading:
- “Exercising WIth Your Dog 101,” PetMD
- “It’s Playtime! 6 Signs of healthy Play in Dogs,” Dogster
- “Teach Your Puppy Good Playtime Manners,” Healthy Pets