Playing as a form of dog exercise
We all knows that dogs burn off a lot of energy as they’re chasing balls, playing dog sports and being taken on walks – and its a great form of playtime too! Play is very important to your dog; from puppyhood right through to old age, they’ll love batting, chasing and pouncing all kinds of things! In fact, playing with your dog is one of the most enjoyable things about having one as a pet.
It also offers great health benefits, encouraging your dog to be active, keep supple and maintain a sleek body condition.
Puppies start to play from about four weeks old, spending most of their time chasing and playing with their littermates, their mother and even you! Why not try some of these great toys to keep your little puppy or dog occupied?
Just remember to keep toys out of sight between dog play time sessions: this stops your dog getting too familiar with the objects, so their reappearance is met with enthusiasm. And avoid using your fingers or toes as toys, or you will soon become your dogs favourite chew toy!
How Much Socialization Time Do Dogs Need Per Day?
How much time a dog needs to spend with humans or other dogs will vary by the individual pet, and can’t be generalized by breed, age, or overall health, explains Dr. Virga.
“Some dogs will do better with more alone time than others,” he says. That said, for a general guideline, dogs should get a minimum of two hours of dedicated social time with humans or other dogs on a daily basis, which can be broken up into chunks of time over the course of the day.
