We learned in Canine Body Language that our primary goal at K9 Club is to promote the wellness of each pet entrusted in our care. Please refer the K9 Club Dog Handling Rules document (also found in your K9 Club binder). Read this carefully and make sure you understand it in it’s entirety. If you have any questions at all, please direct them to your supervisor for clarity.
Overview
Small Group Play is to understand play behaviors and stages of development of dogs. This will help you keep all the dogs safe that are in our care. This lesson lays the foundation for your key role as leader of safe small group off-leash play. In this lesson you will learn to understand the factors that contribute to the personality of each individual dog’s playstyle. You’ll learn how the stages of development contributes to different play behaviors and know that dog socialization, either in daycare or group play, can either positively or negatively impact the long-term behaviors of an individual dog.
Breed Behavior
Each breed was bred for a specific job or task and still plays a role in their behavior to this day. Without proper outlets, dogs can become a nuisance, and so knowing what your dog wants to do will make it easier to give her a task she will enjoy. Every dog is unique but knowing their history will assist us in making their time in small group off-leash play as enjoyable for them and their playmates as possible.
Stages of Development
While knowing breed behaviors is important so is knowing the stages of development. Have you ever heard a parent refer to their child’s bad behavior as the “terrible twos”? Knowing what stage the pet is in can help you to handle the pet in the safest way possible. For example, if you have a puppy that is in the flight instinct period you will want to know that they tend to wander off, testing their boundaries so it’s important to solidify their “come” cue.
Every dog is different and will have their own personality. Breeds don’t necessarily control how a dog will act or respond to any given situation. Knowing your dog’s breed, however, will give you a basic understanding of your canine friend and what to expect on an instinctive level.