Relate with me!
I’ve a 8 months old puppy “RAIZO” who loves to play anytime, but due to my tight schedule, he only gets around 30 minutes of my time. But whenever he saw me leaving home, he starts taking my shoes or socks and runs away with full on speed.
Even if I bend to take it from his mouth, he starts searching for hidden places such as under the sofa set or dining table.
But why do dogs do this behavior? What exactly does a dog playing keep away mean?
Let’s go in detail with…
Table of Contents
What is “Dog Playing Keep Away”?
You may be familiar with a “Monkey in the Middle” games, especially played with a ball where two people must crossed the ball without touching the monkey one.
This is exact things that relate with playing keeping away with dogs, especially with those attention-seeker dogs. In this common behavior, dogs tend to take any household items (including your brand-new shoes or socks), start running and dodging to avoid giving back an items.
Often, you can see this during the fetch game. While you’re playing indoor fetch games, your dog grabs the ball/toys but refuses to return them, instead running away to keep them for themselves.
Why dog loves to play keep away?
Dogs are highly driven by excess energy. In case of unburned energy, play keep away behavior comes naturally in the dog sins. Along with other unethical behavior, play keep away potentially ended the owner with frustration and even biting up them.
Keep away often a reason of seeking attention or initiate play with the person they most adore. If a owner doesn’t spend quality time with them, they find another way to keep interaction with them, and quickly explore ‘keep away’.
Whenever they’re not mentally or physically stimulated, dogs have to go through boredom. Since, chase provides excitement and engagement to them, they look for a change to take an items and start running.
While, some dogs may display this behavior for guarding a items, especially if they feel it’s valuable or worry it may be taken away.
Why You Should Avoid Play Keep Away
Although playing keep away might seems harmful, but sometimes it could badly impact on behavior. Dogs may unintentionally reinforce disobedience to commands like ‘Come’ or ‘Drop it’.
Success on getting chased by owners undermines training and establishes a reward loop for their undesirable behavior, which directly promotes further behavior. Your dog starts guarding objects more aggressively to maintain control over them, and of course, your chase.
Overtime, this behavior turns into serious behavioral issues, such as being protective over items, guarding their foods, becomes defensive or even growls when you approach to take prohibited objects.
Beside behavior issues, there comes a safety concern too. No guarantee all items they put in their mouths are safe. Sometimes, they pick up unsafe objects like sticks, socks, or food wrappers, and playing keep away potentially increase the changes of accidental ingestion.
It could lead to serious health issues such as choking, intestinal blockages, or poisoning.
Additionally, if the chasing reaches the next level, it turns into a high-energy chase which can result in injuries, such as collisions. Tug attempts to get items can also damage a dogs’ teeth or jaw as well as the objects.
Avoiding these behavior is essential to discourage them to play keep away and redirect to safer and structured games.
How to Stop Your Dog From Playing Keep Away
Dogs play keep away is fun way to engage with owners, but unintentionally it could be problematic behavior if left unchecked. Consistency with strategic training approach is a key to stop this unethical behavior.
Teaching Essential Commands
Importantly, two commands are required to prevent this behavior: “Drop it” and “come”. Whenever the dog puts the items on the mouth, asked them to drop the object, and rewarding them immediately when they release it with high-value treat. Timing with consistent cue must be there to make it a natural response.
Similarly, “Come” command reinforces your dog to come back to you. Even if they’re holding an object, kindly react with situation and encourage them to come to you. If they return, then reward them.
Create Positive Associations
For a better outcome, positive reinforcement works outstanding. Scolding or chasing dogs when they have an object can reinforce them negatively to increase their desire to hold onto it. Act like you’re not interested on chasing them and ignore completely, and look for what they do.
If they drop, you can keep them engage with other toys or games for creating positive association.
Change Playing Style
If your dog have keep-away playing style, it’s time to take a while to discourage it. For this, you can use specifically designed fetch toys that are easy for your dog to carry and release. Never chase dogs when they grab an item, instead try to redirect their focus with another toy or activity.
Even if they sit on ‘Catch me if you can’ position, then immediately start to ignore the game.
Preventing Keep Away Behavior
Like mentioned earlier, due to boredom or a lack of other outlets, dogs tend to show keep away behavior with objects, which we owners don’t like. With a potential risks of ingestion of objects and other physical aspects, we must ensure to prevent it and redirect it.
Here’s how,
Providing enough exercise: Either it’s a mental or physical activity, a dog must be stimulated to keep them tired. Tired dog is a good dog.
Small daily walks, run or play sessions can keep them physically active.
Sometimes, repetitive activities can diminish the interest over playing, so regularly rotating toys or introduce novelty for maintaining their interest. Structured games like tug-of-war or agility training helps to tire them and build a focus and discipline.
Along with it, never forget to supervise playtime. Monitoring them during playtime is crucial for catching and redirecting the unwanted behaviors early. This guide their play toward appropriate behaviors with positive reinforcement.
FAQ
1. Why Does My Dog Play Keep Away With Toys?
With toys, dogs frequently engage in the entertaining and participatory game of keep away. They may be trying to have fun with you, get attention, or enjoy the excitement of escaping with items of importance.
2. How Do I Stop My Dog From Playing Keep Away?
To stop this behavior, teach commands like “drop it” or “leave it.” When your dog obeys the command and returns the toy, give them praise or goodies. Positive reinforcement and consistency are essential.
3. Is Playing Keep Away a Sign of Bad Behavior in Dogs?
Playing keep away isn’t necessarily bad behavior. Usually, it’s just playful or attention-seeking behavior. However, it can become problematic if it escalates or involves inappropriate items, so training is important.
4. Why Does My Dog Play Keep Away Instead of Bringing the Toy Back?
Your dog can prefer the game of chase or not completely understand the idea of fetch. By praising them when they bring the toy back to you, you can teach them to return it.
5. Is My Dog Playing Keep Away Because They Are Bored?
Yes, boredom can be a reason for this behavior. Dogs need mental and physical stimulation, and playing keep away can be a way for them to entertain themselves. Providing more interactive play or puzzle toys for self engagement.
Conclusion
It takes determination, understanding, and consistency to break the keep-away habit. Prioritize proactive training, organized playtime, and attending to your dog’s physical and emotional needs. You can strengthen your relationship with your pet and make sure that playtime is always enjoyable for both of you by encouraging healthy play practices.
