Most dog owners are happy to let others play with their dogs, especially when they are at the dog park. Ask the owner for permission and approach the dog with care. Usually, you can befriend the dog afterwards. If you bring a new dog home, it's important that you play it safe and show them respect and affection.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Getting to Know Dogs
Step 1. Talk to the owner
If you see a dog on the side of the road or a dog park, ask the owner for permission to play with the dog. Do not directly approach it without the permission of the owner.
Step 2. Let the dog sniff your hand
If he doesn't know you, approach him slowly. Make a fist and stick it in front of his nose. Don't stoop in front of him as this can intimidate him.
- Back off if he growls, barks, or looks stiff.
- If you are dealing with a small dog and he seems frightened, squat down so that your height is not too different from his height.
Step 3. Wipe the ears
Once your dog has sniffed your hand and doesn't seem cold or harsh, reach out to the side of his head and stroke the back of his ear. This is the perfect dog body part for you to rub or pet if you don't know each other yet.
Step 4. Find out what body parts he likes to touch
The dog you meet may enjoy being rubbed on the paws, belly, or back. However, there are some exceptions to be aware of.
If the dog is not yours, ask the owner if there are any cuts or sensitive areas to avoid
Step 5. Learn his body language
Stop rubbing or playing with it if you notice any of these signs of discomfort:
- Raised hair on the nape or back of the body.
- Stiff posture and hasty or restless movements.
- A closed mouth, with dilated pupils or eyes that always glance to the side.
- Biting your body until there are signs of redness, bruising, or tooth marks.
- Avoiding you with tail pointing down
- snuggle
Step 6. Get to know the dog you meet
Like humans, every dog likes to play in a different way. Some dogs enjoy playing with their toys, while others prefer to wrestle or run. If you have a new dog, get to know what he likes by searching the internet for appropriate information by species. Over time, you will get to know his personality and the things he likes.
Small dogs (or misguided dogs) tend to be easily frightened and nervous
Part 2 of 3: Playing the Game
Step 1. Talk to him in a cheerful tone of voice
The cheerful and high notes get him excited to play. There are several signs that indicate a dog wants to play:
- Stretch the body with the hind legs raised and the front legs pressed to the ground or floor.
- Wiggle its tail or body.
- Lifted his ears and pointed them forward.
Step 2. Play catch and throw
Try throwing a ball or stick as a good start. However, not all dogs like this game. Wave something to get his attention, then throw it so he knows where the object is falling.
Step 3. Be careful when taking toys from the dog
If a dog you don't know doesn't drop the ball right in front of your foot, don't try to get it out of his mouth right away. It's a good idea to wait for him to drop the toy himself until you're sure he won't bite.
To protect your fingers, clench your fists when you are near the mouth of an unfamiliar dog
Step 4. Chase the toys together
If your existing dog isn't good at throwing and catching or you find the game boring, try grabbing the toy and taking the toy away. Make sure the dog sees it and is interested. Most dogs will instinctively chase people who run. However, it's a good idea not to encourage him to chase other people outside of his playing hours.
Step 5. Play wrestling carefully
Some dogs enjoy playing wrestling, tug of war, or other rough games. While fun, games like this may not be safe to play with dogs you don't know. Get to know him first or ask the owner if he can try the game. If the dog you meet seems friendly, either you or the dog could have been injured accidentally.
- Never hit him, pretend to bite him, push him down, or provoke a reaction from him.
- Some dog trainers feel that letting a dog win a tough or rough game actually encourages negative behavior. However, this view has been challenged by animal behavior scientists.
Step 6. Make walking moments more exciting
Your dog loves the attention he gets on daily walks. If you don't have time to play today, put the reins on him and take him for a walk. The “vacation” to the dog park gave him the opportunity to socialize with the other dogs.
- Bring drinking water for the dog, especially when the weather is hot.
- Dogs who live in urban areas usually enjoy enjoying nature. Most national parks allow visitors to take dogs on hiking trails, and sometimes into cabins/huts.
Step 7. Watch for fearful reactions
Some dogs are afraid of water, squeaky toys, or shaped toys. Don't force him to play if he seems uncomfortable. If he immediately shows signs of alertness or anger, back off until he seems calmer.
Step 8. Stop if the dog is too tired (or, conversely, excited)
The game is no longer fun if the dog is too tired. If he is no longer interested and starts to drift away, let him go. Forcing him to keep playing can actually make him angry. Also, stop playing if he starts to be rude or bites more aggressively, even if the bite isn't painful.
- A puppy biting your hand or jumping on your head may seem adorable. However, this kind of behavior will continue to be learned and carried out until he grows up. Teach proper boundaries from the start so you don't have to worry about asserting them later.
- Don't punish or scare him. Just leave him and stop playing with him. Even negative attention (eg shouting “shut up!”) can encourage him to continue misbehaving.
Part 3 of 3: Playing with Toys
Step 1. Play with a rope or toy rope
To play tug of war, show him the rope and let him pull it with his mouth. Grab the other end of the rope and pull the rope slightly, but not too tight so you don't hurt the teeth. Let him pull the rope and let go, then pull it again. Show a smile and a happy face when you do.
- In this context, growling is a normal reaction, and not a negative reaction or anger.
- Some dogs see the game of tug of war as a competition for dominance.
Step 2. Give him a biting toy
Most dogs like raw animal skins, bully sticks, or other natural biting toys. A non-toxic and durable rubber biting toy can be a long-lasting option. Either way, keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn't injure his gums from biting too much on the loose piece of bone.
Step 3. Buy her a puzzle toy
Toys like this usually have a hidden container inside that can be filled with treats. This product can be the right choice to cheer him up when he has to be left alone at home.
Step 4. Explore other options
There are different types of toys for different types of dogs. Here are some options you can try:
- If your dog likes to run around, provide plenty of balls for him to chase. Some dogs prefer soft cloth balls, but balls like these get dirty and damaged easily.
- Some dogs really love stuffed animals (and can't get away from them). Try buying stuffed animals without stuffing from a pet store, as stuffed stuff can contaminate your home if you spread it and cause health problems if your dog eats it.
- If you have a cat, see if your dog likes cat toys too. Some dogs like laser lights and threads.
Step 5. Don't take the toys away
This can make him angry or surprised. If he's being rude or protective of toys, food, or other items, learn more about the object-protecting behaviors your dog exhibits and how to change them.
Tips
- You can provide food as an incentive to encourage healthy play habits. However, give healthy and limited snacks.
- If your dog enjoys chasing the ball but doesn't want to return it, take him to the tennis court and find a wall that isn't being used for practice. Throw the ball against the wall for about 10-15 minutes and let him get tired from chasing the ball.
- Smile! Dogs like to approach people who seem friendly and cheerful. Try not to show your teeth, as your dog sees this as a sign of aggression.
- Give him a reward if he succeeds in doing something nice or helpful.
- Take your dog to the vet to get vaccinated at least once a month or once a year to protect him from rabies.
Warning
- Don't let your dog kill animals or play with dead animals, unless you're training them to hunt. This prompts him to attack other pets. In addition, diseases from other animals can also be transmitted to dogs.
- Never tease a dog. He could get annoyed or even bite you.
- Running too far on a hard surface can hurt your dog's paw pads.
