The Importance of Playtime

You will want to build a bond between you, your family and your Border Terrier. Training is one way to do this but playing is also a great time to build on your human/Border relationship. 

A great bond between you and your dog will ensure your dog trusts you which in turn will develop the love between you but will also build your dogs confidence. (and Border Terrier hugs and kisses are the best).

Take your dog to the pet shop, let them choose a new toy and play with it at home or during your walks. 

You can bring the toy to life for your dog, you can teach fetch and give but importantly this will ultimately help 

to reassure that even though you are playing you are still in charge and that your Border knows it's place in the family 'pack'. 

Use play as a reward for good behaviour, some people like to keep special toys which are only given to the dog when they have been exceptionally good. 

You will soon realise no toy is Border Terrier proof but the joy and fun your dog will have will keep you bringing more home. Some toys are just for fun but can reinforce the Terrier within, for example a soft squeaky toy can be ripped, destuffed and thrown about like the dog would in the wild. Some toys can be used to encourage lone play such as Kongs filled with treats, these are also very useful when training your dog to be alone. You could only bring out the filled kong when you are going out to help encourage the dog to associate being left alone as a good thing.

 And other toys can be used to encourage chewing, chewing of their toys rather then your skirting boards or table legs! Chewing also helps to build your dogs jaw strength and help to maintain healthy teeth and gums. 

Some toys should always be accessible to your dog with the odd special toy being kept of out reach and smell. Be careful of small parts to toys and always supervise a dog when playing. 

You will soon work out which type of toy your dog prefers you may even be able to name the toys and get your dog to search for toys around the house by name as a rewarding and exciting game.