Canine Play Behavior: The Science of Dogs at Play

Canine Play Behavior: The Science of Dogs at Play

 by Mechtild Kaufer, Published: June 2014, FileType: epub

Almost all dogs love to play—by themselves, with other dogs, people, objects and toys. But what do we really know about play? Is it possible that what looks like play is something else entirely? German author Mechtild Käufer presents findings from scores of researchers worldwide who study why dogs play, the benefits they get from play and how to recognize the “rules” of play that dogs follow to keep their play behaviors fun and safe. For those wanting to research this subject more, the book is thoroughly referenced. There are dozens of color photographs included to help illustrate the actions of dogs at play. Detector Dogs and Scent Movement 1st Edition

• “Self-handicapping” measures that dogs employ to keep things fun for all even with dogs of differing size and strength.
• Benefits that play brings to puppies including increased coordination, cooperation and hunting skills.
• How to be a better observer to prevent play from turning aggressive, including appropriate measures to take to intervene.

What does it mean for our dogs when we humans are not able to accept them the way they are? Would my dog be able to say “my human loves me just the way I am?” Would my dog be able to say this with utter conviction, or would he falter, his voice rising toward the end of the sentence, with a questioning tone in his voice? Would he mutter under his breath about the limits to this love, about how he is expected to behave if he wants to be loved, and that he is actually quite different.

In other words, what does it look like when viewed from the other side? Do we try to train and mold our dogs into an ideal, or do we actually manage to do what humans otherwise find so difficult to do with each other—to accept our dogs just the way they are?

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