Dog’s domestication happened over ten thousand years ago and it is unclear why or how. One thing is: they have not shaken off their old habits.
Dog’s domestication happened over ten thousand years ago and it is unclear why or how. One thing is: they have not shaken off their old habits.
The present dogs’ ancestors were wild until humans domesticated them over 10,000 years ago. It is unclear how the canines evolved, but they eventually became working animals, helping their masters with hunts and surveillance. Their gregarious instinct and social and curious behavior also made them ideal companions.
Over time, canines moved from the prairies, farms, and forests to urban areas like cities, where humans domesticated them further. In turn, they are already far removed from their ancestors.
Despite not hunting anymore, dogs have not let go of their old habits. For this reason, they still need two things:
- Regular social contact with people
- Opportunities to explore their surroundings
Dogs should go out for walks around wide natural spaces where they can express their true nature and exercise their instinctive behavior through games, physical exercise, and exploration.
Dogs and Playing
Playing is vital for the dogs’ well-being. It:
- allows them to establish social relationships amongst themselves and their owners
- lets them build a social hierarchy amongst younger dogs
- prepares for the unexpected.
- encourages them to express their personality
- fulfils their natural need to explore their environment and exercise
Playing helps dogs learn about their abilities, releases their energy, and tightens their bonds with us.
Humans can play several interactive games to keep dogs entertained.
3 fun games that feed a canine's love for exploration
Dogs love to play because it’s part of their nature. But it seems they prefer to do it with us than with other members of their pack. So what activities can you both do to keep them entertained and healthy while feeding their need to explore?
Here are three fun games you can do:
1. Fetch
The popular game of fetch transforms your canines into amazing hunters, and it’s one of the easiest games to play together. Throw an object and run behind them to get it back. It could be a ball that rolls around the floor, a Frisbee that looks like a flying bird, or a rubber toy.
2. Tug-of-War
It is good for them to measure themselves against a rival. It releases high adrenaline and burns excess energy and weight. By the time your dogs are done playing, they’re ready to relax.
3. Hide-and-Seek
Hide-and-seek improves their exploring instinct and fosters their memory, and it does not have to be complicated. Hide an object while the dog is watching, remove the dog from the room, and then let it back in. It then must remember the location or trace the smell to find the object.
A dog’s body is agile, and its legs are strong to chase. Its keen sense of smell and sharp intuition make it an ideal tracker too. In other words, they’re ready to play!
Dogs today don’t hunt, but they need to have fun and express their instincts. So grab a toy and go outdoors with them.