Chase me chase me! This is a video of Luna and Aura playing tag, in the woods. They play this game in the same spot on this particular walk and almost nowhere else. It’s as though the bracken is just right. Or perhaps it’s just the routine they have. It makes me smile every time, they have so much fun!
Aura is great at getting the others to play particular games with her. She will play ‘share-a-stick’ with Sunny. Normally, when I throw a ball, Aura will be the one to catch it, or get to it. She then drops it by Sunny, who brings it back to me. This happens most of the time, although sometimes Aura brings it back to me herself, or sometimes Sunny gets to the ball first. Occasionally Busy steals the ball once Aura has put it down and she then taunts the others by running past them, laughing and refusing to give up the ball. Luna never gets the ball on a walk, although she likes joining in ball games at home and loves playing with a toy at training.
In the woods though, I refuse to throw the ball, because they are supposed to be enjoying the woods. I also refuse to throw sticks, because they are dangerous (we now know). So Sunny gets a stick and shows it to me, but then Aura takes it out of her mouth and runs past with it. Or they both run along, side by side, holding the stick.
Another popular game, especially with youngsters, is ‘snap snap’. Two dogs lie on the floor facing each other and snapping the air in each other’s faces. They get as close to each other as they can without actually biting, but making loads of noise and dodging round each other.
As you can see, when you have a pack of dogs, you can spend hours watching and enjoying their interactions with each other. All of which informs how you play with your dog. They enjoy active, energetic and sometimes slightly rough play. Most of all, they love to engage with you and have fun! Why not give it a go?
This is one of the topics I am covering in my Training Classes for Dogs ‘n’ Kids. Please Contact me if you would like to enrol on the classes?