Morristown, TN
You make sure that your dog gets fed regularly, receives vaccines when needed and gets treated for pests and parasites such as fleas, ticks and heartworms. But is your dog getting enough playtime? Today on the blog, your dog boarding facility in Jefferson City takes a look at some of the benefits of play for your dog.
Benefit 1: Physical exercise
Regular exercise keeps your dog physically fit. That doesn’t mean just taking your four-legged friend for walks. Play can also be a workout, as your dog jumps, pulls on one end of a tug-of-war toy or runs after a ball or frisbee when you play fetch. Regular playtime keeps your dog physically strong and their joints functioning smoothly. This exercise is especially vital as your dog ages, to fend off chronic problems such as heart disease, arthritis and canine diabetes.
Benefit 2: Bonding
When you play with your dog, you are actively engaged and focused on them. Likewise, your dog is focused on you. This distraction-free time helps build a strong bond with your pooch, who will feel the love from your focus and attention.
Benefit 3: Better behavior
Regular playtime keeps your dog engaged, occupied and focused on fun. That means your dog will not have to work as hard to stay behaved or not bother you while you focus on other things during their daily routine; instead, your canine is more likely to take that time to rest until the next play session. This is especially valuable if you work from home.
Benefit 4: Mental stimulation
Your dog needs to exercise their brain as well as their body. Playtime represents a golden opportunity for your pooch to strengthen their brain and learn about the world around them. Regular mental stimulation helps your dog sharpen its reflexes and improve its reaction time. Moreover, your dog will learn and remember which helps prevent cognitive decline in older dogs.
Benefit 5: Socialization
Not all dogs play well with others but most dogs benefit from spending time with other dogs. If you keep your dog isolated, they will never have a chance to learn and improve their social skills. These only can be built by interacting regularly with people and dogs outside your household. Socialization can benefit dogs of all ages, and boost the overall well-being of your four-legged friend.
Learn to differentiate playtime from aggression
Play can get aggressive, especially between dogs. It can be difficult to tell the difference between play and a brewing fight. Watch for certain signs of play, which include the play bow and panting heavily. Another sign of play is if your dog exposes their belly; this is a sign of trust because they are revealing their most vulnerable spots. Signs of potential aggression include hair standing up on the back of the neck, sharp or sudden movements or a rigid posture.
Supervised playtime for your dog in Jefferson City, Tennessee
Whether your dog is staying with us while you are out of town or just visiting for the day, supervised play is part of the experience for all of our four-legged guests at AllDogs Canine Care Center. We also offer individualized play sessions with a member of our staff for dogs who have issues socializing. To learn more, contact us today. You can call (865) 475-2225, email us at info@alldogsinc.com or complete our online contact form to build your own stay.