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 the letter of information at https://fido.uoguelph.ca/play, and 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.
Click on any of the propositions to see others’ public contributions to the project
Play with your dog(s), with nothing but your body. Pay attention to how you feel, and how your dog(s) react to your movement and/or touch.
Collaboration request: Ask a friend or housemate to take a picture of the play. Send in the first picture taken.
Make up a game to play with your dog(s). The game can include objects, or no objects.
Collaboration request: Send in a short clip of you and your dog(s) playing this game.
Think about a time when both you and your dog experienced joy. What smell might you associate with this memory?
Collaboration request: Send in the name and/or description of the smell that you associate with the memory.
If your dog plays with other dogs, watch your dog when they play with other dogs. Do not attempt to force your dog to play – let them try on their own. How do they start play? Is it different if the dog is a stranger or a friend?*
*Please only complete this prompt if your dog is used to playing with other dogs.
Collaboration request: Answer the question: “How does your dog’s play look different with other dogs than it does with humans?
Pay attention to your bodily movements and the movements of your dog during play. Who starts play? How do they do it?
Collaboration request: Write a story about a typical play excursion between you and your dog and any other (human or non-human) animals. Do not use real names unless you have consent from others to do so.
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.
Get down on the ground and follow your dog’s movements when they seem particularly happy. Feel how they move in your own body. Use adaptations where necessary.
Collaboration request: Pay attention to your bodily movements, and come up with a lingering question that you have for your dog.
Play with your dog, in a style that you feel comfortable with. Pay attention to your dog’s body signals.
Collaboration request: Write down the body signals that tell you that your dog is showing. What do you think they mean?
Watch your dog play (with themselves, with another dog, with a human). Pay attention to what you smell and/or hear.
Collaboration request: Who was your dog playing with (don’t use real names)? What smell and/or sounds do you remember?
Initiate play with your dog using sound. Pay attention to which words and pitches work.
Collaboration request: Record a clip of you successfully initiating play with your dog. Send in only the noise that made the play successful.
When your dog wants to play, pay attention to the noises they make.
Collaboration request: Record a clip of your dog’s “playful” noises.
Take your dog for a walk, with no destination in mind. Pay attention to what your dog finds most interesting. Follow their nose, when safe to do so.
Collaboration request: Send a photo of something that both you and your dog found mutual interest in.
Pay attention to where your dog is most playful. In what places do they initiate play? What time of day is it?
Collaboration request: Send in a list of places (don’t use identifiable landmarks) where your dog is most playful, as well as time periods during the day.
Think about a time when you and your dog have been the happiest together.
Collaboration request: Recreate the experience in a creative way. This can be through a drawing, a video/photo(s), a short story, or any other method you prefer.