The Benefits of Play for Sheltered Dogs
Dogs need play in their day to day lives; playtime provides the opportunity for physical growth, leading to a better-behaved, healthier, and most importantly, happier dog. In this article, we will cover the psychological benefits, the physical benefits, and a variety of ways to implement play into your dog’s life.
Psychological Benefits
1. Stress Reduction
Alleviating Anxiety and Fear: Play is important to a dog’s mental health and overall happiness by letting pets feel more comfortable in their environment. Alleviating any stress in a new pet is especially critical for previous shelter dogs or dogs that are more sensitive.
Behavioral Improvement: Aggression and behavior issues can be improved upon with play as well; stress reduction through playtime in groups teaches dogs to become well-behaved.
2. Emotional Enrichment
Enhancing Emotional State: Playtime provides not just physical health benefits. It allows for dogs to have fun and enjoy themselves, allowing them to experience positive emotions while keeping them engaged and focused.
Building Trust and Confidence: Just like humans, dogs come with a variety of different personalities. Shyer/fearful dogs gain a lot of trust with their caretaker through playtime and positive interactions, allowing them to form bonds with the people and dogs around them.
3. Socialization
Improving Social Skills: Some dogs may have less experience in interacting with others. Playtime provides a great opportunity for these dogs to learn how to communicate appropriately, share, and interact with both humans and other dogs.
Revealing True Personalities: Playtime allows dogs to show their true selves. While they’re having fun, behaviors that can be caused by stressful environments become less apparent—each dog shows this side of themselves more often.
Physical Benefits
1. Exercise and Physical Health
Promoting Physical Fitness: Playing with your dog through physical exercise—running, playing fetch, or tug-of-war—is important to keeping your dog fit. Dogs by nature need physical activity to prevent health issues related to cardiovascular health or muscle tone.
Preventing Obesity: Obesity is a common problem in inactive dogs that heightens likelihood of multiple common health problems. Exercise during playtime minimizes these risks significantly.
2. Energy Expenditure
Reducing Excess Energy: Inactive dogs may become restless, which can lead to destructive behavior towards furniture/property. Giving dogs designated playtime lets them relieve mental and physical energy through a positive outlet, preventing these bad habits early on.
Improving Sleep: A dog that has properly exercised and played is likely to get better sleep. Resting well is critical for good health, so focused playtime means dogs can both play harder and sleep better.
Implementation of Play in Shelters
1. Structured Playgroups
Controlled Environment: Establishing playgroups of many dogs together allows for social interaction in a safe space. This can be implemented in both homes and shelters.
Customizable Spaces: Noticing what your dog likes can help you customize your own play space to fit their preferences, with a few options being to include visual barriers, double-gated entrances, or access to water.
Conclusion
Playtime to a dog isn’t luxury; it’s a necessity to their mental and physical health. It has a variety of benefits, from behavioral and emotional to their physical wellbeing. Play is an essential aspect to taking care of your dog, and adjusting to your pets specific needs can make it more enjoyable and beneficial for both beings.
Written by Dening Sun
Edited by Anusha Shringi
