When we view food or play as only a reward we fall into the mindset of “what can I get the dog to do for this”?

It would not be healthy for a dog to view any food or play as “what do I need to do to earn this?”

Instead when we look at play or food delivery as an ACTIVITY we share the same mindset as the dog: is there pleasure to be experienced? Will they enjoy this? Does the food give them pleasure by the taste or the activity of us delivering breakfast in bed, or perhaps a chase down or a short search? Or does food just stop them feeling hungry?

Does tossing that toy or making it grunt and squeak or seeing it fly in the air give them pleasure?

The dog will be seeking repetition to gain more and better rewards, more pleasure and time spent together.

We should not view these activities: games or food delivery as currency for our agenda or as a means to manipulate the dog.

The pleasure is often the interaction, the learning, the way of moving. Play or deliver food for the pleasure, not something that we just do to get something in return, but because it also gives us pleasure to enjoy this activity with the dog.

The activities that bring connection, learning and wellness for both you and the dog, but first we may need an Activity Health check:

1. Does this activity give the dog PLEASURE ?

Is the dog is getting pleasure from this activity and what does that look like?

Do we see that pleasure change?

Be careful of assuming that pleasure is dependent on arousal. We can enjoy an activity without arousal: through learning a new way of moving and the feeling that movement elicits. This is particular pertinent to dogs that are creatures of movement not only as a language but also for pure pleasure. The activity enjoyment can be experienced through connection, being part of a team, doing something together.

Food delivery and anticipation will change through repetition as the dog become sated: not every piece will deliver the same pleasure.

Does the dog desire more and are they seeking repetitions without hesitation?

This is good evidence that the dog is experiencing pleasure and enjoyment but if we see hesitation or we need to cheer-lead the dog into repetition, then we need to listen to what we are seeing. The activity may be more pleasure for us that it is for the dog. Retrieve is an excellent example of this: the speed to go out to capture should be similar as the speed of return for more opportunities.

Is this observed pleasure always the same?

The dog may be aging, tired, getting full, need a drink or becoming stressed. Before every repetition or continuation we should be looking for changes that tells us how the dog feels: how well they are, their safety and sense security and comfort and desire for more.

Remember: it is not about making the activity fun but finding the fun in the activity.

2. Does this activity have a clear beginning?

Do we have a sequence that tells the dog this activity is starting?

Is the information non-ambiguous: when that toy is in your hand: the activity has begun, when you go that place: the activity is on, when you say that word: you give your full attention to the activity.

Equally is the dog able to ask for that activity or does it always follow your agenda and timetable? How can they ask?

Is the dog clear about what is going to be happening?

Have you set the rules and are they clear in your own mind before you begin? Where is the boundary that stops the dog-brain overwhelming person safety? What rules stop the person-seeking-entertainment from compromising the dog’s welfare and safety?

3. Does the activity have a clear ending?

goodness me if you have a Border collies here, this is critical !

Is the dog clear about what finishing looks like?

Does this mean a clear change in your behaviour and energy level? Are there specific words or a closing down sequence?

If the dog does not know when to end what does this look like?

This is the dog that is unsure because someone has said “Aww, just one more then”.

Be clear, be consistent, be fair.

4. Are we overstimulating?

Is there potential to change the energy levels of this activity?

Do we inadvertently ramp it up or get over excited ourselves? This can easily influence the dog and we both get carried away. In every activity there are opportunities for learning and we can develop the skills of changing our energy, calming down is a skill that needs to be practised or increasing our focal point to ignore external influences.

Could we increase the energy and arousal, is this dependant on what we do or simply the activity itself?

Will the dog naturally tire or naturally get fitter? Does the dog need additional challenges and stimulation as they become more skilled.

Energy and arousal are connected but not the same thing. Energy is closer to effort required and will reduce with fatigue or stress.
Arousal will be at different levels: some arousal may be beneficial, it may be caused by uncertainty or stress and it may go beyond the dog’s ability to control it.

Arousal, or getting frenetic or going OTT  does not equate to pleasure.

5. Does the dog feel safe and is protected from injury?

Is this is a physically demanding activity: are we protecting our dogs from overdoing it?  

Sliding and turning badly on an unsuitable floor. Using unused muscles or undeveloped balance or proprioceptive skills. Is the dog in conflict with movement that stimulates predatory responses that can overwhelm caution: chase, leap, grab bite, body slam, kill shaking.

Do the participants trust each other and the environment?

A dog will often play with such intensity and dedication that they are unable to consider their own safety.

A person may be over aware of judgement and observation from others. This can also influence a dog that may become the prey-object of intense focus from other dogs.

 One bad experience associated with an activity can sour it for life.

6. What learning is happening?

Person be awake, be very observant and continually asking question. Keep your head on the job.

This is Practice, learning will be happening whether we like it or not, whether we are aware of it or not.

They will be getting better, faster, more skilled: at what?

Are they learning physical ways of moving and using their bodies?

Is this beneficial for that individual?

Are they learning our cues and body language?

Have they discovered you cannot run as fast as them? Or that you wimp out when they run into you? Or that you cannot end the game?

Are they learning anticipation?

Oh gosh yes. They will be studying and remembering your movement and sequences in fine detail.

Are they learning we are very poor at this and they can beat us hands down or we are a soft touch and give up easily?

Are they learning that we demand too much, too soon or too often?

Hmmmm ….. be one step ahead

7. Does this activity stimulate predatory responses?

Are we aware of this; can we see it ?

Is this what gives the dog the greatest pleasure and does not cause us trouble in the future? Will we be able to manage the awakened predator?

If they are developing better bite skills and are we channelling this safely?

If they are developing herding skills have we planned where and how they will use this?

If they are becoming better hunters can we ensure the safety and wellbeing of potential prey?

What are the stimulus?

Knowing the stimulus for any predatory responses is key to keeping the dog safe from inappropriate application.  

Is the dog managing their predatory behaviours?

Are we able to use this activity to build control and awareness?

Dogs are predators and will find pleasure in predatory activities. It is our responsibility to ensure this is well managed and channelled appropriately.

The process of planning and analysing the activity whether we call it Play, Training, Work or Games is key to building more understanding. We can then adapt the activity for the benefit of the dog perhaps to build a skill, build resilience or build our relationship through sharing enjoyable activities together.

No activity should be at the cost of one of the partners for the pleasure of the other. Whether this is too many retrieves, too much power in the bite and grab, energetic body slams or over exhaustion.

Not an activity where one partner puts in all the effort for the entertainment of the other.

Every one of these point to check apply equally to all activities you share with the dog. Whether you label this a game, or just play, or drill practice or shaping games. They are all activities with common elements and similar topography:

For all participants:

• Clear understanding of what will be happening
• A clear beginning and end to the activity.
• Rules of engagement that encompass safety and wellness
• A healthy range of different activities that enhance the relationship and connection.
• A continual awareness that learning is always happening and will benefit from guidance.