You don’t want to have to chase your dog for 15 minutes just to give him or her a bath.

As a dog owner, I understand the importance of man’s best friend. They’re truly part of the family and we always want what’s best for them. I personally own a little Carin Terrier/Jack Russell mix (or a Jack-Terrier). After food, shelter, and love we need to play with our dogs too.

There are so many articles on the internet about how to play with your dog, but there are very few on how to NOT play with your dog. I hope to give some insight on this based on my own personal experiences that I’ve had over the last four years with my dog. I will go over a few of the games that most people play with their dogs and I will try to provide a better understanding of how to handle situations that we encounter on a day to day basis. Some of this may seem like common sense to some people, however, many others are completely out of the loop (including myself at one point).

Here are some examples of how to NOT play with your dog.

Playing Tug-of-War Game

There is plenty of concern about the tug-of-war game. Is it bad for my dog’s teeth? Will it promote aggressive behavior? It’s understandable that some of us are worried about this game, but I found out that most dogs have little to no problem at all playing tug-of-war. There are only a few types of dogs that should steer clear of this game. Any dog that lacks self-control shouldn’t play tug-of-war because it can lead to a mess, fingers being bitten (even on accident), as well as many ruined toys.

The other type of dog that shouldn’t play tug-of-war is any really aggressive dog. They may forget that it is just a game and things could get out of control fast. I’ve seen this happen many times with aggressive dogs that don’t understand how to play with other dogs way too often.

The last type of dog that you should be aware of is any dog that is extremely territorial, especially of their possessions. They could get jealous if another dog (or even human) touches their toy unannounced. There’s no specific breed of dog that carries these traits, so it’s important to do a thorough check on a case by case basis. Usually, the owner is responsible for the dog’s behavior.

Friendly Wrestling with Your Dog

One of my favorite games that my dog and I play is just simple friendly wrestling. My dog absolutely loves to wrestle, especially when I get home. I try not to be too rough with him since he’s a smaller dog. We usually have a fun time playing like this, but through the years I have noticed that he also likes to play like this with my friends and family too.

Almost every time there is nothing to worry about, but there were a couple of occasions when my dog would get a little too rambunctious and cause a problem. It wasn’t anything too serious, but nonetheless, I wouldn’t recommend rough play with a dog unless there is a very strong bond between the two.

Another reason this play can be bad is because some dogs will get jealous. My dog and his little friends will often try to gain the most attention from us humans. Most of the time it is harmless, but this playful wrestling can make dogs jealous and a bit more aggressive. Keep this game between you and your dog if possible.

Chasing Your Dog

There is another form of play that may lead to bad tendencies in your dog. When you chase your dog, it may be fun for both of you at the time, but if you really needed to get your dog and started to chase him, his reaction will be the same as if you two were playing. He will run away. This is especially more frustrating with little, fast dogs. You don’t want to have to chase your dog for 15 minutes just to give him or her a bath.

Conclusion

Games are a fun and necessary part of you and your dog’s life. It’s important to remember that fun games also need to be structured and have some form of control. Be sure to know your dog’s tendencies and beware of other dogs.