Playing with Your Puppy - A How-to Guide

You work hard all day and when you come home, all you want to do is plop down on the couch and turn on mindless television like Jerry Springer. Today's commute was especially grueling because of an accident and you are starving to death because you forgot your lunch and had no cash for Taco Bell. Who do you suppose is home waiting for your return and could not care less how your day went? Your faithful companion, of course. With his little head bobbling around and his paws dancing at your feet you realize the couch and Jerry will have to wait. Something far more important needs your attention right now. But, you don't mind at all because this little guy brings you so much joy that it's not a struggle to play with him. Before you know it, you're smiling and laughing and an hour's gone by. But, is there a right way and a wrong way to frolic and play with your best friend? Is it even necessary?

Playing with the Water by Scott Beckner

It's hard to believe that there are pet owners out there that pay very little attention to their pooch let alone play with them (especially puppies). But, playtime is essential if you own a dog and the more active the dog, the more energy he will have and the more he will need to expel. When dogs don't get enough exercise, they tend to relieve their energy and frustration on other things like chewing up your shoes or electronic devices. Dogs that are not played with regularly can become aggressive and mean or turn inward and become timid and insecure. But with everything else, playtime should have guidelines to follow so that your dog knows the boundaries and limitations while he's having fun.

Have you ever been around someone that was a great deal taller than you and you felt very small and insignificant? Well, that's how your dog feels when he has to crank his head up to see you. The first rule for playtime is that you need to get down to his level on the floor so you are both eye to eye. It's all about having fun so training is strictly forbidden unless he does something that will warrant a correction like biting too hard. Other than that, nothing is really off limits. You know your dog better than anyone else so what have you observed your dog doing when he plays? Does he like to play fetch? How about tug of war? My dog loves to wrestle and tries to grab his favorite toy out of my hand. He also loves to play fetch. In fact, he could play fetch all day if I let him. Some dogs love to run and chase you. It just all depends on him and what you're willing to do to play with.

I have an older dog that loves his nap times. This dog could sleep all day under the covers. He is probably the easiest and low maintenance dog I've ever had. He's really never shown much interest in playing. In fact, we have younger more energetic dogs in the house that love to chase and play fight and he just looks at them as if they were nuts. He doesn't quite get what they're doing and never joins in on the fun. So, one day I was making up my bed with clean sheets and I put my hand under the covers to straighten out the bottom sheet when all of a sudden, he lunged at my covered hand when he saw it move under the covers. So, now I started to exaggerate my movements and I got some little growls out of him and little play bites at my hand. It was so cute that I had to laugh at myself because up until that point, I really didn't think he had any playfulness in him at all and it took something so natural as making a bed for him to show me how he likes to play. Now, making up my bed is a real treat for both of us whereas before, it was such a chore. It just goes to show you that you can teach and old dog new tricks...or rather he can teach you.

Author Resource: Written by Vanessa Lea
Vanessa Lea is an experienced internet marketing professional who takes pride in providing knowledge, research and information to consumers seeking guidance when looking for quality products and services online. Her latest website helps consumers in finding the best barbecue grill for their grilling pleasure. This charcoal barbecue review site provides an overall synopsis of testimonials from REAL customers who purchased barbecue grills online and reviewed their product and experience in order to help other consumers make the best choices for themselves. They say the customer is always right so find out what others are saying before purchasing your next charcoal barbecue.