A question I’ve been asked many times is how much time should I play with my dog?
To this question, I feel like responding with another question: Do you enjoy playing with your dog?
Because if you do, the only answer is to stop a minute before he gets tired.
But if you’re not having fun, you need to find a way to enjoy playing with your dog first.
Play is essential, and I believe it’s the foundation of everything. Through play, you create that “Bluetooth” connection that every dog owner wishes they had—a form of non-verbal communication where you understand each other instantly, and there’s no need for words.
But if you’re not having fun, that connection will never be established.
With all my dogs, before introducing the frisbee, I play a lot. We wrestle, chase each other, engage in tug-of-war, and most of all, I love it when they bring me a toy. They’re asking me to play. It’s wonderful.
Of course, I set the rules. They know where they can and cannot play.
When I go to the training field, I let them out of the car, and they immediately head for the field where we always play.
But I don’t want to leave you without an answer to the initial question.
I can tell you that with four dogs, when I go to the field, I play with them for a maximum of one hour in total. During that time, we both play and work.
With a puppy, it’s all play, with Grandma Joy, just a few quick rounds, with Diablo, a mix of play and work, and with Wendy, it’s more about mental work, and the ultimate reward is play.
Each dog needs their own balance.
Enjoy & Play Disc Dog
