Of the three breed types, they found that overall, retrievers and herders were significantly more likely to engage in solitary play (i.e., with toys) than livestock-guarding dogs. They chose adult dogs from working lines (retrievers, herders, and livestock-guarding dogs). looked at the influence of breed on social and solitary play in dogs. Does this affect how a dog plays?Ī 2017 study by Mehrkam et al. Today, dogs still have these inherent prey drives, although some more than others.ĭuring the domestication process, various traits have been enhanced in different breeds. Wolves, the ancestors of domestic dogs, were hunters that had to rely on catching prey to live. Here are three theories that can help you understand the squeak appeal. Why are they so drawn to these types of toys? Is it that the sound reminds them of scared or injured prey, thus tapping into their “wild” side? Are they positively reinforced by us for engaging with squeaky toys? Or, is it just plain old fun? While some dogs don’t particularly care for squeaky toys, the vast majority do seem to really love them. They state that solitary play with objects resembles predatory behavior, both in form and motivation, and that the preferred toys are those that can be dismembered. They discuss how play behavior is usually made up of motor patterns characteristic of predatory, agonistic, and courtship behavior. In a 2015 study by Bradshaw, Pullen, and Rooney, they examined the playfulness of adult dogs. Solitary play often involves objects such as toys. Social play involves a partner, which might be another dog, a human, or another species of animal. Types of Playĭogs typically engage in social play and solitary play. Through the process of domestication in dogs, we’ve selected for the retention of the desire to play, which contributes to our emotionally based bond with dogs. London, it’s unusual for most adult animals to play with any regularity, although a few exceptions exist. Retaining this juvenile trait, “the love of play,” into adulthood is an example of neoteny. “Our unique relationship with dogs is, in part, a result of our mutual love of play,” says Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists Patricia McConnell, PhD, and Karen London, PhD, authors of “ Play Together, Stay Together: Happy and Healthy Play Between People and Dogs.” Something that people have in common with dogs is that we love to play. While we can’t read dogs’ minds or ask them why they find squeaky toys so alluring, we can observe their body language and behavior to form a few viable theories.įirst, we’ll need to take a look at why dogs like to play and the types of play they seem to enjoy. What is it about squeaky toys that gets dogs so excited and engaged? There are toys that bounce, toys that fly, toys for chewing, toys for tugging, and, probably the most interesting of all, toys that squeak. Just the sheer number of toy options for dogs is a clear indicator that dogs love toys.
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