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Some time ago, I explained why the quality of the relationship between man and dog is a vital factor in preventing behavioural problems. Indeed, this relationship, nurtured by positive interactions, builds a solid foundation conducive to the dog's learning and balanced development. Among the many ways of cultivating a harmonious relationship, play emerges as a powerful tool, forging solid links between man and dog while offering a valuable opportunity to work on various behavioural aspects. Using a few examples of fun games, we will explore the benefits of play activities on the physical and mental well-being of our pets.
The function of play in animals
For a long time, ethologists have wondered about the function of play behaviour in animals. It's true that, at first sight, play might seem to be something potentially useless, or even harmful to the individual's survival. One might think that it wastes energy that could be used for more useful purposes, such as hunting, for example. What's more, play distracts attention from possible dangers, increasing the risk of predation, especially for young animals. However, research has since highlighted that play has an essential function in the development of many cognitive, motor and social skills. It provides young animals with a crucial platform for acquiring social skills, for example by fostering an understanding of hierarchies within their group. Play also acts as a catalyst for physical development, enhancing coordination, agility and muscular strength. On a cognitive level, play activities stimulate the brain, promoting cognitive abilities such as problem-solving, decision-making, memory and communication. What's more, play acts as a release valve, reducing stress and creating positive experiences that help forge strong social bonds within the group.
As such, far from being a waste of time, play has an essential role in the development of physical, mental and social abilities in animals. Now, let's use three specific games - hide-and-seek, parkour and lucky draw - to illustrate more specifically the benefits of play activities for our dogs.
Hide-and-seek
Select a toy that your dog likes, present it to him and then ask him to stand still while you hide it in the house. Then come back to him and encourage him to look for the toy. At first, make the search easier by avoiding overly complex hiding places and offering plenty of verbal encouragement. If necessary, gently guide him if he seems to be having difficulty. Then reward him with a little play or a treat. Beyond the simple pleasure of seeing your dog rummage around, this game stimulates his olfactory system and calls on several cognitive abilities such as memory, spatial cognition, selective attention and problem-solving. It's a complete mental exercise, and can be just as tiring for your dog as a good walk!
In addition, this game is a very useful exercise for working on the behavioural axis of self-control. Self-control is the ability to control motor actions and emotions. The prefrontal cortex, the seat of this ability, is a brain area that develops slowly and only reaches full maturity at the end of puberty. It is therefore essential to reinforce self-control throughout the developmental period. Asking your dog to wait without moving while you hide the toy is a fun and positive way of working on his self-control, both in terms of the motor component (staying still) and frustration management (not getting the toy immediately).
Canine Parkour
Liven up your daily walks by stimulating your dog's adventurous spirit with a "dog parkour" session. Encourage him to engage with urban or rural furniture, whether by climbing onto a picnic table, crossing a children's play tunnel, crawling under park sports furniture or crossing a metal footbridge. This game not only helps to reinforce basic commands in new contexts in a positive and fun way, but also improves motor coordination, balance and physical strength.
Beyond the physical aspects, this game also targets fear management, a major factor in phobic behaviour disorders. By exposing your dog to new situations, surfaces and positions in a positive, fun environment, this game helps him to manage stress, by reinforcing his adaptability and his ability to get used to new stimuli.
The lucky draw
Let's talk about a game that puts your four-legged friend's cognitive abilities to the test. If your dog knows his toys by their individual names, you could be dealing with a real "gifted dog", at least according to a recent study. To find out, take his favourite toys, hide them in another room (out of his direct sight) and ask him to bring back one of the toys, "Bilou the ball" or "Ronie the rope" for example. Rewarding correct answers, repeat the experiment until all the toys have been used up. If your dog knows the names of at least 5 toys and makes few mistakes, you could well have a budding 'Chaser'! (For those still wondering who Chaser is, click here). Like the other games, this one goes beyond simple entertainment and works on self-control, memory, communication and problem-solving skills.
And to find out more about these gifted dogs :
In short, play offers a holistic approach to enriching your dog's life in a positive way. A simple ball, a tree trunk or a tyre can be transformed into opportunities for a thousand and one adventures that will strengthen your relationship and promote the mental and physical well-being of everyone involved.
What are your favorite games with your dog? Don't hesitate to share them in the comments!
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