Every dog has their own personality, preferences and quirks and that includes the way they like to play.
Some dogs could spend hours chasing a ball, while others would much rather sniff out hidden treats, wrestle with their favourite toy or play a game of tug. Some love playing with other dogs, while others prefer one-to-one games with their humans.
Why is play important for dogs?
Play isn't just about having fun. For dogs, play can provide valuable physical exercise, mental stimulation and an opportunity to practise natural behaviours.
Depending on the type of play, it can encourage dogs to:
- Chase and retrieve
- Use their sense of smell
- Problem-solve
- Practise coordination
- Interact with people or other dogs
- Learn new skills
- Burn off excess energy
- Build confidence
Play can also be a great way to spend quality time together.
The key is finding activities that suit your individual dog, rather than assuming every dog will enjoy the same games.
1. The Chaser
Does your dog immediately spring into action whenever something moves?
Chasing is a natural behaviour for many dogs, and some absolutely love games that involve movement.
Fetch, flirt-pole games and chasing a favourite toy can provide an exciting outlet for these dogs.
If your dog loves to chase, try incorporating short bursts of movement into their play sessions. You can also use games to introduce simple training cues such as wait, leave and drop.
Good activities for chasers:
- Fetch
- Chase games
- Flirt-pole games
- Running games
- Toy retrieval
- Recall games
Just remember to keep high-energy games age-appropriate and give your dog plenty of opportunities to rest.
2. The Retriever
Some dogs seem to believe that their entire purpose in life is to bring things back to you.
If your dog loves carrying toys around and returning them for another throw, they may be a natural retriever.
Retrieval games can be a fantastic way to combine exercise with training. You can gradually introduce different cues and encourage your dog to bring the toy directly back to you.
You don't have to stick to throwing a ball, either. Try different toys and locations to keep things interesting.
A few short retrieval sessions can often be more rewarding than endlessly throwing a ball for your dog.
3. The Tug Lover
For some dogs, nothing beats a good game of tug.
Tug can be an engaging interactive game that allows your dog to play directly with you.
Use a suitable dog toy and let your dog engage with the game at their own pace. You can introduce simple cues such as take it, drop and wait to turn play into a fun training opportunity.
Contrary to some old misconceptions, playing tug does not automatically make a dog aggressive. Like any game, it's about teaching your dog appropriate boundaries and making sure the activity remains enjoyable for everyone.
4. The Sniffer
Some dogs would happily spend their entire walk with their nose on the ground.
For these dogs, sniffing is a form of enrichment in itself.
Scent-based games can be particularly rewarding because they encourage dogs to use one of their most important senses.
Try hiding treats around a room and encouraging your dog to find them, scattering some of their food across a suitable area for them to sniff out or using a puzzle toy.
You can even turn your daily walk into a scent adventure by allowing your dog time to investigate different smells rather than rushing from one destination to another.
Try these scent games:
- Find the treat
- Snuffle mats
- Treat trails
- Scatter feeding
- Hide and seek
- Scent puzzles
For some dogs, five minutes of sniffing can be incredibly satisfying.
5. The Wrestler
Some dogs love nothing more than a good play session with another dog.
You might see them bouncing, bowing, rolling around and playfully chasing each other.
Dog-to-dog play can be a great form of social interaction, but it's important to remember that not every dog enjoys playing with other dogs.
Pay attention to body language and make sure both dogs are comfortable with the interaction.
Healthy play often involves pauses, role reversals and opportunities for either dog to move away.
If one dog is repeatedly trying to escape, hide or avoid the interaction, it's time to give them some space.
6. The Toy Collector
Does your dog have a basket overflowing with toys and somehow still want another one?
Some dogs love carrying, chewing, tossing and collecting their favourite toys.
They may have very specific preferences, too. Perhaps they love soft toys but ignore balls, or prefer squeaky toys to ropes.
There's nothing wrong with letting your dog have favourites.
Experiment with different textures, shapes and types of toys to discover what captures their attention.
Always choose toys appropriate for your dog's size and chewing habits and supervise play where appropriate.
7. The Problem Solver
Some dogs prefer a challenge over a game of fetch.
Puzzle toys and enrichment activities can encourage dogs to work out how to access food or treats, providing mental stimulation alongside their physical exercise.
You can start with simple activities and gradually increase the difficulty as your dog becomes more confident.
Food puzzles, snuffle mats and hide-and-seek games can all be incorporated into your dog's routine.
Remember that enrichment shouldn't be frustrating. If your dog is struggling, make the game easier and help them succeed.
8. The Human Player
Some dogs aren't particularly interested in toys but they absolutely love interacting with their person.
For these dogs, you are the enrichment.
They might enjoy:
- Training games
- Hide and seek
- Chasing you
- Gentle tug
- Recall games
- Learning tricks
- Following games
Spending a few minutes playing together can be just as rewarding as giving your dog an expensive new toy.
Reading your dog's body language during play
Understanding whether your dog is enjoying a game is just as important as choosing the right activity.
Look for relaxed, loose body language and willingness to engage.
During play, many dogs may display behaviours such as:
- A relaxed, wiggly body
- Play bows
- Bouncy movements
- Taking turns
- Choosing to re-engage
- Bringing a toy back
- Relaxed facial expressions
It's also important to recognise when your dog has had enough.
If they repeatedly move away, stop engaging, become tense or seem uncomfortable, give them a break.
Just because your dog enjoyed a game five minutes ago doesn't mean they want to continue indefinitely.
Does breed influence play style?
Breed can certainly influence the behaviours and activities a dog may naturally find rewarding.
For example, retrieving, scent work, chasing, herding and digging have all been selectively encouraged in different types of working dogs over generations.
However, breed isn't a rulebook.
Two dogs of the same breed can have completely different personalities and preferences.
Your individual dog might love the activity you expected them to ignore – or have absolutely no interest in the activity you thought they'd adore.
That's why watching your dog is so important.
Your dog's play style can change
Don't worry if your dog's favourite game changes over time.
Age, health, confidence, environment and experience can all influence how a dog wants to play.
A young dog might have endless energy for chasing and wrestling, while an older dog may prefer gentle games, scent activities or shorter play sessions.
Your dog's needs can change throughout their life, so it's worth regularly reassessing the activities you're offering.
How to discover your dog's favourite type of play
Not sure what your dog enjoys most?
Try offering a variety of activities and see what they naturally gravitate towards.
Spend a few days experimenting with:
Movement: Try a game of fetch or chase.
Scent: Hide treats around the house or garden.
Toys: Offer different shapes, textures and types.
Training: Teach a simple trick or practise recall.
Social play: If appropriate for your dog, arrange time with a suitable canine friend.
Then watch their reactions.
What makes their tail wag? What do they repeatedly bring back? What activity do they choose when given the option?
Your dog's preferences will tell you plenty.
Don't forget the importance of rest
As much as play is important, rest is just as important for your dog's overall wellbeing.
After a busy play session, walk or adventure, give your dog somewhere comfortable and quiet where they can properly switch off.
A supportive dog bed can provide a familiar place to relax between adventures – whether that's in the living room, their crate, the car or wherever your dog likes to settle.
The goal isn't to keep your dog entertained every minute of the day. It's about finding a healthy balance between exercise, enrichment, play and rest.
Finding what makes your dog happy
There isn't one perfect way for dogs to play.
Some are ball obsessed. Some are professional sniffers. Some love a good wrestle, while others would happily spend an afternoon carrying the same favourite toy around the house.
And that's part of what makes living with dogs so much fun.
Take the time to discover what makes your dog light up. Follow their interests, pay attention to their body language and give them opportunities to enjoy the activities they naturally find rewarding.
Because when you understand how your dog likes to play, you can make their everyday adventures even more enjoyable.
Play, explore, rest, repeat and enjoy every moment with your four-legged friend. 🐾
