Dog Play and Exercise
While play is an important source of fun and exercise for dogs of all ages, it is especially vital in the life of a puppy.
The reason behind puppy suggests a direct link to their wild ancestors, the hunters. For puppies, playing is an alternative to hunting that enables them to use all of their senses to discover interact with and adapt to their surroundings. By playing games with other puppies, a puppy acts out and responds to behaviors it will later experience as an adult. This is a crucial stage in the development of a well-adjusted dog.
Occasionally, play turns painful. When this happens, a puppy will yelp to indicate that it has been bitten or cuffed too hard. Yelping like a puppy is an effective way for people to avoid receiving a puppy nip or bite.
When a puppy or an adult dog bows its chest to the ground, while keeping its rear and tail high in the air, it is sending a clear signal that is ready for fun.
Of course, play also contributes to a puppy’s physical growth by providing a valuable form of exercise. Because play is essential to the physical and social health of any dog, owners should not only allow it, but provide ample space and time for it.