My dogs and I have lots of little routines. I try to vary the routines often but still keep certain things such as the games we play quite structured. As I have previously said, I think dogs thrive with structure sprinkled with novelty.
This morning just before it got unbearable hot to play, we marched towards the “soccer field” to play soccer with Deuce and a combo of little games with Rioja. As we engaged in one of my dog’s favorite activities, I was thinking of the importance of keeping some routine or structure. I was smiling as I thought how both dogs, but especially Rioja, can make their own "rules" for the games we play. Here are a couple of examples of Rioja’s favorite games:
When I kick the ball for Deuce, Rioja has several choices: She can strike one of her funny poses (what we called “action-figure” poses) next to Deuce and run a la par with him after the ball. She is quite fast getting to the ball always before Deuce.
Then the structured games begin. She will either: turn around to face me as I yell excitedly "Take it, take it!" Which means run as fast as you can and grab the tug toy that I have in my hand for a furious tug game-as Deuce makes his way to the start position (or kickoff) of our game.
The second choice for Rioja is to intercept the ball and run with it, only to drop it half way and continue running towards me where she gets to chase the critter attached to the whippet toy. This goes on for several seconds until Deuce has returned with the ball. At this point, Rioja can either: release the whippet toy and go back to her action figure pose or continue to play with me allowing Deuce to go after the ball all by himself.
Sometimes I am not sure which option is the one that Rioja wants, so I take a chance and present the toy. Rioja is in complete “control” of her choice. She might ignore me and the tug and go back to kick-off mode. But most of the time, when I closely watch her body language, I can anticipate what she wants to do: tug, run or whippet. In addition to these choices I throw here and there some simple obedience exercises such as sit to release and play, drop it (tug or whippet toy) a collar touch to release to play. Not only will these behaviors become stronger as they are practiced often in real-life scenarios but Rioja is getting reinforced with play… a wonderful thing indeed.
The second game that we just “installed” is an after dinner game. I am sitting in the sofa either watching TV (or trying to watch TV) or still working on my computer as Rioja brings me a toy - her choice again. The game here is to play a furious energetic tug on her part as I am sort of hanging out. Once again, she needs to perform little behaviors that I find useful before she either: gets to go after her toy or tug some more. I ask her to lay down and when she does I send the toy flying across the living room … just as she is getting ready to fetch the toy I ask her… Leave it! I.e.: do not interact with the toy. She stops mid-track gives me her
little Rioja side look and waits to be released with: Okaaay, get it!! Now she is flying off the couch (only when John is not watching) and in search of her toy.
Occasionally she changes toys on me, incorporating in her games one more rule change: she gets to choose which toy will be the flying object… After about 15 min. of this intense game (we need a name for it) she lays spread on the sofa or if she chooses, she will get smacked closed to me and drift into sleep.
I learn a lot about dogs in general and my dogs in particular when I pay attention to the games or activities they like to engage in. It is not only the activity per se but the whole structure of it. I like these game for other reasons as well. I get to kick-back and let others make the decision on how we are going to burn some steam and just have fun as I also get to incorporate behaviors that I want to reinforce.
I am constantly amazed on their ability to make up “rules” and decide which contingencies are in place. Their game change allows for creativity in interaction, play and learning… all teamwork style.
This morning just before it got unbearable hot to play, we marched towards the “soccer field” to play soccer with Deuce and a combo of little games with Rioja. As we engaged in one of my dog’s favorite activities, I was thinking of the importance of keeping some routine or structure. I was smiling as I thought how both dogs, but especially Rioja, can make their own "rules" for the games we play. Here are a couple of examples of Rioja’s favorite games:
When I kick the ball for Deuce, Rioja has several choices: She can strike one of her funny poses (what we called “action-figure” poses) next to Deuce and run a la par with him after the ball. She is quite fast getting to the ball always before Deuce.
Then the structured games begin. She will either: turn around to face me as I yell excitedly "Take it, take it!" Which means run as fast as you can and grab the tug toy that I have in my hand for a furious tug game-as Deuce makes his way to the start position (or kickoff) of our game.
The second choice for Rioja is to intercept the ball and run with it, only to drop it half way and continue running towards me where she gets to chase the critter attached to the whippet toy. This goes on for several seconds until Deuce has returned with the ball. At this point, Rioja can either: release the whippet toy and go back to her action figure pose or continue to play with me allowing Deuce to go after the ball all by himself.
Sometimes I am not sure which option is the one that Rioja wants, so I take a chance and present the toy. Rioja is in complete “control” of her choice. She might ignore me and the tug and go back to kick-off mode. But most of the time, when I closely watch her body language, I can anticipate what she wants to do: tug, run or whippet. In addition to these choices I throw here and there some simple obedience exercises such as sit to release and play, drop it (tug or whippet toy) a collar touch to release to play. Not only will these behaviors become stronger as they are practiced often in real-life scenarios but Rioja is getting reinforced with play… a wonderful thing indeed.
The second game that we just “installed” is an after dinner game. I am sitting in the sofa either watching TV (or trying to watch TV) or still working on my computer as Rioja brings me a toy - her choice again. The game here is to play a furious energetic tug on her part as I am sort of hanging out. Once again, she needs to perform little behaviors that I find useful before she either: gets to go after her toy or tug some more. I ask her to lay down and when she does I send the toy flying across the living room … just as she is getting ready to fetch the toy I ask her… Leave it! I.e.: do not interact with the toy. She stops mid-track gives me her
little Rioja side look and waits to be released with: Okaaay, get it!! Now she is flying off the couch (only when John is not watching) and in search of her toy.
Occasionally she changes toys on me, incorporating in her games one more rule change: she gets to choose which toy will be the flying object… After about 15 min. of this intense game (we need a name for it) she lays spread on the sofa or if she chooses, she will get smacked closed to me and drift into sleep.
I learn a lot about dogs in general and my dogs in particular when I pay attention to the games or activities they like to engage in. It is not only the activity per se but the whole structure of it. I like these game for other reasons as well. I get to kick-back and let others make the decision on how we are going to burn some steam and just have fun as I also get to incorporate behaviors that I want to reinforce.
I am constantly amazed on their ability to make up “rules” and decide which contingencies are in place. Their game change allows for creativity in interaction, play and learning… all teamwork style.
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