What is your dog's play style?

Does your dog like to play with toys? Chase games? With other dogs? Or maybe not at all?

For many dogs, play comes naturally. For others, particularly for anxious or easily over-aroused dogs, we can teach them to play.

When we play and when our dogs play, our bodies are practicing how to get out of scary situations without all the cortisol and stress that comes with an actual fight or flight situation.

Here is a video of J playing with a toy. She LOVES LOVES LOVES ripping apart toys to find the squeaker. This is a natural game for many dogs that meets their prey drives without involving the neighbourhood bunnies or squirrels.

Here is another video or Riker playing with me using kibble. He's not much of a toy guy except for certain situations when he feels very safe.

And here's another one of us playing chase games using treats in the field.

Play is a skill we can all learn =)

Whether your dog is too worried, or too excited (do they hump or nip??), all dogs can learn to play and all dogs benefit from play.

Play builds:

Confidence
Enthusiasm
Partnership
Impulse Control
Arousal Regulation

If you want to learn more, shoot me a message or check out the on-line Deep Dive =) Play isn't just good for the dogs!

(On-Line) Leash Reactivity Deep Dive
Starts March 5th, 2025!

Registration is now OPEN for the LEASH REACTIVITY DEEP-DIVE, my group mentorship program in which I spend 8 weeks with a small group of people struggling with leash reactivity. Submit videos, ask questions, and meet awesome people and dogs.

You'll receive daily support and feedback on your training for 8 whole weeks. This is a fantastic way to jump start your training and to get some real progress for both your dog and yourself.

Have fun, build your dog's skills and confidence, as well as your own.

Seriously... this is so much fun. I hope you'll join us!

Click for Info on the Deep Dive!