Puppies are virtually synonymous with play. It is difficult to envision puppies without also seeing fun-loving frolicking. Running, wrestling, tumbling and chasing, puppies love to play. But play is so much more than a fun-filled passage of time or exertion of energy. Play is essential to ensure proper mental, physical and sensory development. Puppies need an enriched environment that will foster both mental and physical stimulation through play with toys, people and other dogs.

Puppies should be given toys that are both stimulating and interactive. Toys like Kongs, Planet Dog and the Buster Cube encourage problem solving in order to gain bits of food hidden within. Other toys like Nylabones, Booda Bones, cow hooves and natural bones provide an excellent outlet for chewing activities. Squeak toys and fleece toys add additional sensory stimulation through sound and touch.

Toys should be readily available to puppies at all times, providing them with appropriate stimulation and play. By rotating the toys available to a puppy at a given time, they remain interesting and fun. Praising puppies when they are playing with their toys lets them know that we are pleased and that this is an appropriate activity.

Toys are a great way to occupy puppies when we can not. But for puppies, playing games with their human friends is "where it's at". Games like fetch, keepaway, hide and seek, tug or come-tag not only foster bonding but are stimulating and educational as well. Puppies' owners are often afraid to play such games for fear of teaching over-excitability or other bad habits. The games themselves do NOT teach puppies to be uncontrollable, ill mannered or aggressive. The lack of established rules and guidance does. Just like our games, puppy play must have guidelines and structure that is absolute. Lack of structure and guidelines or inconsistency will contribute to confusion and frustration. This in turn will contribute to misbehavior. By saying "Let's play" just prior to initiating games and stating "Enough" just as we end a session or take a break, we can help our puppies to understand that they must wait until we initiate play and must also honor that we end it. Also, by stating "Enough" and ending play momentarily when puppies bite or jump or become too boisterous, we can clearly relay that these behaviors are inappropriate in play. Remember that play is not a challenge, it is a way of bonding, teaching and just having fun with our canine companions. (Watch for articles on teaching games to puppies and dogs in upcoming issues).

Puppies love to play with other puppies. Tumbling, biting, chasing and barking, these behaviors are not only fun but also an important lesson in social interaction and communication. Puppies not allowed the opportunity to play with other puppies and "puppy safe" dogs are not likely to grow into canine social adults. Just meeting one or two other puppies or dogs does not foster a well-rounded, social program. These puppies will learn to adapt to one or two individual dogs but may not do well when meeting others. Puppies given the opportunity to play with many canine companions in multiple settings develop good inter-species communication skills. This early puppyhood experience will allow them to be comfortable and secure when meeting new "friends" throughout their lives.

Unfortunately, it may be difficult to find other families that have young puppies. Structured puppy playgroups at a professional facility are an excellent way to meet and interact with a variety of other puppies. These groups are offered through trainers and veterinary hospitals. Like children's' play groups, puppy groups should be limited in size, facilitated by an educated and experienced behavior specialist and be structured to establish good manners, attention to owner and safe play.

Canine dog day cares are also a great idea for additional socialization and play. These day care facilities are fashioned after child day cares. A well-run day care allows your dog a structured and safe environment for social play with other dogs and humans in a clean, safe and guided environment.

Whether through toys, games or playgroups, puppies need to play. The greater the variety we can offer, the greater the puppy's exposure, socialization and education.