Not all prompts will be suitable for all dog-human relationships. For example, some dogs may not feel safe playing, or they might have health issues limiting play. In addition, your surroundings need to be considered—play may not be safe on all surfaces (e.g., slippery surfaces, around other dogs who may get over-excited, etc.). Older dogs, dogs with health issues, and dogs who are uncomfortable with human touch or play may not enjoy some of these prompts. It is up to the participants to use their knowledge and understanding of their dogs to ensure safety.
Before beginning, please review these two websites, which outline common behaviours and expressions that dogs’ use when nervous and/or fearful:
https://ontariospca.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Canine-ladder-of-aggression.pdf
https://vcacanada.com/know-your-pet/signs-your-dog-is-stressed-and-how-to-relieve-it
If, at any point during the study, you or your dog are not enjoying the proposition, please do not continue.
[August 12th to October 13th]
Watch your dog’s playing styles. Does it change based on who they’re playing with?
Collaboration request: Create a map or a tree of your dog’s play friends (both human and non-human). Note how they play with others.
Collaboration Request Week Six
My dog just play differently depending on what person or animal he is playing with. He knows my husband doesn’t do the search game with him so he doesn’t extend that invitation to him. When my sister comes over, he knows that she loves to chase him so he will just run up to her and bark and then run away. When my son comes over, he knows it’s going to be crazy fun and he is ready. He plays very gently with our cat. He is quite rough with his best friend, the Labrador retriever next-door. My sons dog is the same breed, but about four years younger, and he is much more aggressive than our dog so their play together is much more tentative on the part of my dog.