How to Use Body Language to Get Your Dog to Play

Playing with your dog is a great way to bond and provide mental stimulation. It’s important for your dog’s physical and mental health, so it’s worth taking the time to figure out how to get them interested in playing, especially if you’re looking into becoming a dog breeder or animal care. But sometimes, it can be difficult to get your dog interested in playing with you. That’s where body language comes in! By using body language that your dog can understand, you can better entice them to join in on the fun.

How to Use Body Language to Get Your Dog to Play

Smile

Dogs are very attuned to facial expressions and will respond accordingly. When they see you smiling, it tells them that something positive is happening and that they should join in on the fun! No teeth is best, as bared teeth can be a sign of aggression – a gentle smile and raised eyebrows is generally a good way to tell your dog that you’re happy and mean them no harm.

Use Inviting Gestures

Dogs naturally respond better to physical gestures than words, so use this to your advantage. Try crouching down low or extending an arm out towards them with a toy or treat in hand. This will encourage them to come closer and start playing with you. You can even try dog body language yourself – do a play bow by getting low to the ground and placing your hands on the floor with your rear in the air.

You can lunge close to your dog and then lunge quickly away (if you’re agile enough). Most dogs will respond in kind, kicking off playtime!

Speak Softly

Dogs have sensitive ears, so speak softly when trying to get their attention for a game of fetch or tug-of-war. If you yell or raise your voice at them, it will only make them feel scared or intimidated instead of excited about playing with you.

Keep things calm and inviting by speaking softly but firmly as if you’re trying to coax them into doing something adorable like rolling over or shaking hands.

Make Eye Contact

Making eye contact is another way of communicating with dogs that they understand instinctively. When making eye contact, keep your gaze soft and inviting by lowering your eyelids slightly – this signals that no harm is meant and encourages the dog towards wanting some playtime companionship.

Engage in Playful Movements

When trying to entice your dog into a game of fetch or tug-of-war, try engaging in movements that mimic those activities. For instance, when playing fetch, grab a toy off the floor and pretend like you’re throwing it while simultaneously calling out “Fetch!” Doing this will show your dog what game you’d like to play together while also helping build excitement around it.

It’s important to remember that every dog is different and may respond differently depending on their personality type and environment. However, by using these tips as a guide, you should be able to entice most dogs into wanting some quality time together through positive body language cues.

What Game to Play?

When it comes to playing with your canine companion, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Just like humans, every dog has his or her own unique personality and preferences, which should be taken into account when choosing the best games to play together.

Fetch

Fetch is an excellent game for any dog. It helps them use up excess energy and teaches them the basics of obedience (e.g., coming when called). To get started, choose a toy that your dog loves (such as a tennis ball or a frisbee) and toss it away from you. When they bring it back, give them lots of praise and maybe even a treat! If they don’t immediately go after the toy, you can use some verbal cues (“fetch,” “get it,” etc.) or motion with your arms to entice them. You can also try rolling the toy instead of throwing it – that way, you won’t have to do as much running around. And if you want to make it more interesting for your dog, use multiple toys so they have something new to chase after each time.

Tug-of-War

Tug-of-war is another great way for dogs to release their energy while bonding with their owners. To start off, grab a sturdy rope toy that has two handles at either end. Have your dog grab one end while you grab the other end – it’s important not to let go first, because this will set up bad habits in terms of dominance and control over the game. When they let go of the toy on their own accord (which could take a few minutes), give them lots of praise.

Hide & Seek

Hide & seek is an especially fun game for dogs who love using their noses! First hide several treats around your house or yard. Make sure each hiding spot isn’t too obvious so that your dog has to really search for them. Then call out their name or give a verbal cue such as “find it” or “go find.” Once they locate one treat, reward them with lots of praise before moving onto the next hiding spot. This game will help build their confidence while also giving them mental stimulation. Plus, if you have multiple people playing with your dog at once, everyone has a chance to place treats in different spots.

Nose Work Games

Nose work games are great for dogs who are naturally curious about scents. Start by placing treats around a room or outside in an enclosed area (like a fenced backyard). Then give him/her verbal cues such as “Find it!” while pointing towards where each treat is hidden – this will teach them what scent they should be looking for in order to find their rewards quickly. As they progress through this game, add additional levels of difficulty such as changing where each treat is located or placing the treat inside boxes or jars. This type of activity will help keep your dog’s mind engaged while strengthening their sense of smell at the same time.