Puppies at play

Playing with your pup is a great way to have fun with your new found friend and an important part of the bonding process between the two of you.

When playing with your puppy, remember - you are the boss! Dogs are pack animals so it is important that you dictate the terms during your games otherwise you may find it difficult to train and discipline your puppy down the track. In order to maintain discipline, you must be the 'leader of the pack', by deciding when games start and finish.

It is also a good idea to avoid games that are too rough as your young friend may interpret this as permission to behave in a way that people outside your home may not appreciate.

Safety is also important during your play sessions. Avoid playing with anything that could splinter (such as sticks) and items that can damage your puppy's fragile teeth such as rocks.

Essentially there are three types of dog games you can play:

• Shaking games - encouraging your puppy to pick up, carry and shake objects
• Chasing games - where your puppy chases moving objects
• Possession games - a 'tug of war' type test of strength

Whichever type of game you choose, it is generally best to play them in short sharp bursts so your puppy does not end up exhausted or bored at the end. In fact, it is generally a good idea to stop the games while your little playmate is still having fun, so that it is always eager to join in a game and looking forward to the next session.

Have fun!

Toys

Like children, puppies love playing with toys!
Toys play an important role in the mental and physical development of your puppy and, depending of the type of toy, are capable of keeping your little one amused for hours on end.

In fact, some experts believe that young animals play when they are young because it helps develop the coordination and reflexes they will use in adult life.

Chewing toys are always a big hit with puppies. Chewing is a natural instinct for dogs and helps strengthen the muscles around the jaw and helps keep the teeth clean.

In most cases, puppies will generally find it hard to resist anything that moves or makes a noise so it's good to have a collection of high quality, safe chew toys, rubber balls or bones and sturdy stuffed squeak toys.

Whatever you choose, make sure it is made from a non-toxic material and is strong enough not to become hazardous by splintering or breaking into small pieces.

Like most of us, puppies tend to get bored with too much repetition so make sure you have a good variety of toys and rotate them regularly.

Rotation