The study of 4,000 dog owners showed that dogs who don't engage in a lot of play suffer from behavioral issues such as anxiety and aggression. Less play time also leads to an increase in whining, jumping up, and not coming when called. Scientists are beginning to agree that play is the key to a dogs happiness.
"If your dog also does not want to play with his doggy friends, he is definitely depressed. Exuberance is a common sign of dog-to-dog play, and if it is missing, your dog may be depressed," adds Trott.
First and foremost, your pup will get bored, and their energy levels will start to drop. They may even begin to yawn or look a bit sluggish and listless. Not playing with your dog means they don't get the mental and physical stimulation they need to stay happy and healthy, so they'll start to show signs of distress .
“Some dogs will do better with more alone time than others,” he says. That said, for a general guideline, dogs should get a minimum of two hours of dedicated social time with humans or other dogs on a daily basis, which can be broken up into chunks of time over the course of the day.
Playing is important for dogs. It's not only a pleasurable pastime, but it's an essential ingredient in the total wellbeing of most animals. Dogs thrive on interaction with their human friends as well as other pet companions. This sociable act serves many purposes, and play should factor into your dog's daily routine.
You should aim to play with your dog twice a day for around fifteen minutes each time. You can also combine playtime with other exercise for your dog, such as walking over to the neighborhood park before playing and walking home.
Playtime strengthens the human-dog bond
Just as playtime for puppies teaches them about relationships and socialization, having a bit of fun with your dog shows them that you care. Playing gives your dog one-on-one undivided attention, which helps them feel like a special part of your life.
The generalisation from most dog experts is that dogs need about one to two hours of dedicated doggy time to maintain a strong Owner/dog bond. That can include feeding, playtime, training, grooming, and exercise, spread throughout the day. And, dogs shouldn't spend more than eight continuous hours alone per day.
Dogs playing by themselves should be encouraged. If you have a dog who can entertain himself, it's a sign of intelligence. Your dog is getting out energy, chewing, chasing, challenging his mind, and practicing skills when he plays.
Adult dogs are generally okay on their own for 4-6 hours a day. But, many dogs are good at adapting to being alone for 8-9 hours while you are at work if they are provided with enough space to comfortably move around.
So, in response to our original question "Do dogs understand us?" – Yes, your dog does know how to read your feelings. She does know when you are happy, sad, excited, or afraid. And it's not bad to show your emotions in front of your dog.
Most dogs can be left alone for hours at a time (there are those exceptions to the rule), but if you're going to be away for too many hours, you do need to invest in a pet sitter or dog walker. “Too many hours” is different for each dog; you know your dog best and know what their limits are for being home alone.
Dogs who lack early socialization might be reactive towards other dogs, or fearful around unfamiliar people. Some dogs who missed early socialization don't do well with handling, such as at the groomer or veterinarian's office.
Ideally, there would be at least 30 minutes to an hour a day of exercise for most breeds. This can include brisk walks or an active game of fetch in the back yard. Those are the basics. Add to that play time either indoors or outside, training, and snuggling on the couch in the evening.
Dogs get bored just like we do, so it's important to provide them with exercise, training, interactive toys, and brain games to keep them busy and entertained. Giving them appropriate ways to burn that extra energy also means your flower beds, shoes, and couch won't become unfortunate casualties.
Symptoms of dogs that suffer from separation anxiety include tearing up household items, incessant barking, digging, urinating and defecating, running away, and self-mutilation. However, not all dogs that have separation anxiety will show symptoms.
On average, you can expect to spend at a minimum, 1 - 2 hours each day on providing dedicated attention for your dog. This can be in the form of a walk, play, enrichment activities, training or general cuddle time. Dogs are pack animals so most of them love attention and company.
The number of meals a dog eats per day depends completely on the family schedule. Dogs should eat at least two meals each day, about 12 hours apart. But a breakfast, lunch, and dinner schedule is an equally great option. If more than 12 hours elapses between meals, the stomach can become hyperacidic causing nausea.
It's important to make time to pet your dog every day and allow others to pet them in the way they like.
The research found that a lack of play can cause up to 22 different behavioral issues. These undesirable behaviors include anxiety, aggression, pulling on the lead, whining, and not coming when called. Humans and dogs are two of the few species of mammals that continue to play well into adulthood.
When playing with humans, dogs prefer to play with people they know. Play between humans and dogs “improves social cohesion between humans and dogs, increasing their familiarity and reducing agonistic interactions.”* Play helps build a cooperative relationship between you and your pet.