The Benefits of Play.
I was fortunate to host Marc Bekoff for a 2-day seminar in Edinburgh some years back. Over the weekend we discussed play at great length.
Dogs who don’t play well or have much of an interest in play can find social encounters quite challenging. This obviously relates to some and not all dogs. Bekoff believes that the ability to play well deepens interactions with others as they can communicate what they like and don’t like very well and clearly.
Play among groups promotes trust, cooperation, niceness, fairness, forgiveness and humility. Of course, some Dogs social preference in my own opinion is more people oriented than towards other dogs. For these types of dogs although I’m in favour of play I always respect their preference and allow them their wishes.
What is your dog’s social preference? Are they a dog’s dog, people dog, or happily mixing in both ways?
Dog’s also like to play with other species very well…
Good day, I’ve heard that you are providing some dog training courses at Glencourse. We have a 3 month old collie Porridge who will be able to start going out from this Friday and wondered if you are or know of anyone running some puppy groups to support mainly socialisation in the Roslin area.
Thanks for your assistance
Hello Julia
I work very nearby to Roslin in Glencorse. I only work one to one with clients and their dogs and not dog training group classes. We do during training sessions meet other dog walkers passing by in the area but none of it is planned.
The training sessions are focused purely on private sessions for owner and dog for recall training, walking on lead, general obedience and handling skills. I also include play sessions, retrieve, and gundog training.