Doggone Etiquette —

Fall Fun

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:

“All work and no play” is definitely not a motto for you dogs! If your VIPeople don’t agree, you have some persuading to do. Try tempting them with something you’re good at, like a “play-bow” – down in front, up in rear with your tail wagging like crazy. Or pick up one of your toys (a small one, please) and toss it toward your favorite person. Or jump up and down with little yips and then run toward the door to your outside area. If none of that works, let’s see how we can help.

A Word to the Dog’s Owner:            

There are lots of things you can do with your dog that are just for fun. Little or no teaching or training is involved and it’s no big deal if mistakes are made by either of you. We’re talking about playtime activities you can both enjoy, some of which — you’ll be pleased to hear — come with perfectly acceptable bragging rights.

All dog games include toys and dog toys are made in every size, weight and material, with subtle differences added, to suit just about every dog. Dogs are chewers and the more ambitious chewers will finish off certain toys as if they were candy bars! You may have to learn which ones to avoid from experience. Deciding on the right toy can be difficult with so many to choose from, but this time your search is limited.

Skip the toys meant to pacify dear Rufus when he’s left home alone. Look for ones that encourage interactive play, whether it’s you and the dog, or the kids and the dog. You know what sparks your dog’s interest, his physical ability and his activity level, so in your mind’s eye envision sharing something that’s fun. There is always one toy that becomes a dog’s immediate favorite, regardless of price or beauty. Count your blessings and look no further. 

Games that are fun can be based on almost any games people play, but some don’t make very good “dog” games. American football, for example, is not a sport for our four-footed friends, however much they may enjoy watching it from the sidelines. But soccer? Wow! Almost any canine that’s keen on the chase will figure out how to corner a soccer ball. (Time out for a brag: I’ve had several dogs that used both front feet to dribble the ball away from me!) This game, of course, can be played at whatever speed keeps it challenging fun, and played with whatever size ball your dog goes for, so long as it’s too big to fit in his mouth. It’s not a toss-and-catch game – that’s rugby! The idea here is to keep it on the ground. Oh, and be ready to shout an elongated “GOAL” at all the appropriate times.         

Another fun game that active dogs (with not-so-active owners) enjoy is played with semi-hard rings that are thrown by means of an ejector, or by hand. (Also in that toy aisle – called a Zinger.) The rings roll on the ground twisting and turning offering a good chase, or they can be caught in the air, like Frisbees, by good jumpers. And all with little or no effort on your part! Teaching Rufus to return the ring won’t be hard once he figures out that’s the only way the game can continue. “Bring it” is a good one-word to use.             

Hide-and-seek is a fun game for fall weather because it can be played indoors or out. It may take a bit of teaching before the Rufus catches onto the game. Start by showing the dog a treat, then have him Sit-Stay, and let him see where you’re hiding it. Move well away from the spot, call out “Find it” and if necessary, lead him toward it. A treat-hungry pup will only need a couple of lessons! It works as well outdoors as inside, and with a toy instead of a treat. It’s the scent of your trail, your hand on the hidden object, that the dog is able to follow and why some dogs – true scent-hounds – are especially good at this game!

All fun and games must come to an end, and you must be the one to decide when that will be, so stop while it’s still fun. Really the “fun” part of all this comes about when whatever you had in mind, your own very special dog does it differently. It’s all those differences that make for the bits of braggadocio and for fond memories.

Until next time – BE GOOD!

-  Bardi

Bardi McLennan bred, trained and showed Welsh Terriers for 30 years during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog fancy Magazine. In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs, the latest being Rescue Me! which received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award last year.