Should I Play WIth My Dog? Dog Obedience Training & Play Time

"Should I play with my dog?" my client asked, as she commenced serious dog obedience training.

"Of course," I replied. "Play time is critical."

Her concern was for good reason. She had always had sedate dogs, and now she had a very dominant and challenging puppy. She needed to be sure she was not making any mistakes.

I told her that, instead of one 15 minute session as she had been doing, switch to 4 to 6 five-minute sessions per day.

Then play with the dog from 2 to 3 minutes after all but two of the sessions. This way he learns that training is not all hard work, but play time is not automatic, either.

To make it perfectly clear to anyone who chooses to follow this:

If you have three sessions per day with your dog, play with him after two of the sessions. Never skip the same one two days in a row. Don't establish a pattern.

Dogs are more time sensitive than we will ever know. But it is very important to remember that LEADERSHIP is first. However, AFFECTION and PLAY TIME are just as important. They just are not the first thing in line.