Play Improves Behaviour: Playing with your dog.

The Play Bow is an Invitation. Say, Yes!

You know that moment when you're teaching your dog something like not jumping on guests, and they suddenly drop into a play bow and try to turn the whole thing into a game? Your first instinct might be to think, "Focus! We're learning here!"

Your dog isn't being stubborn or silly they're showing you something scientists have confirmed: play actually improves behaviour."

Your Dog's Brain already Knows

When dogs play after learning something new, research suggests their brains undergo a neurochemical process, involving chemicals like dopamine and serotonin that help lock in memories and make learning stick. While these mechanisms have been most thoroughly studied in humans, the behavioural evidence in dogs points to the same effect.

Think of it like this: if regular training is like writing in pencil, play is like using a permanent marker. Recent studies show that even five minutes of play after a learning session makes a difference, with thirty minutes producing improvements that last for months to a year, not just days.

Your dog already knows this instinctively. That's why they often get extra playful after figuring something out, or why they seem to "get it" better during fun, relaxed sessions than during serious training time.

When "Bad" Behaviour Is Smart Behaviour

What happens when your dog changes the rules mid game? You're playing fetch, but suddenly they're running circles around you instead of bringing the ball back. Or you start a tug game, and they decide to grab your sleeve and start a wrestling match.

Your dog isn't being disobedient, they're being creative. In those moments, they're practising some of the most important life skills they'll ever need:

• Reading your emotions: Is this new game making you laugh or getting you frustrated?

• Problem solving: If the old game got boring, what would be more fun?

• Adapting to change: Life rarely goes according to plan, so flexibility is crucial

• Self control: Knowing when to dial up the energy and when to calm down.

These are the same skills that help them navigate everything from meeting new dogs to handling changes in your daily routine. And they develop naturally through play, no training required.

Different Dogs, Different Games, Same Benefits

Not all dogs play the same way, and that's not just personality, it's actually hardwired into how their brains work. Understanding your dog's "play style" can help you give them the kind of fun that really lights up their mind.

If you have a herding breed (Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Corgis), you might notice they love games that involve movement and strategy. They might "herd" balls, enjoy obstacle courses, or turn their walks into a game of "manage the environment." They are not being controlling, although it looks like it, it's their brain practicing complex thinking skills.

Bull Dog breeds  (Bulldogs, Pit Bulls, Boston Terriers) often love contact play wrestling, tug of war, and games that involve friendly physical competition. This is not aggression; it's how they explore relationships, their own proprioception, an awareness of how they move their bodies in space, and to explore boundaries. They're naturally a little goofy and often use physical humour to connect with their people.

Terriers bred to be independent hunters, typically prefer games with quick action and lots of decisions. They might love hide and seek, chase games, or activities where they can "hunt" toys. They thrive on fast paced, problem solving and high energy interactions.

Retrievers and sporting breeds usually excel at cooperative games,fetch, of course, but also games that involve taking turns, following your lead, and working together. They're team players who love making their humans happy.

Working breeds (Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Dobermans) can enjoy games that combine physical challenges with mental puzzles. They might love learning new tricks through play or games that let them use their strength and intelligence together.

Remember: these are starting points, not rules. Your Chihuahua might be obsessed with fetch, while your Golden Retriever might prefer tug of war. Follow your dog's lead as to what they might enjoy, they know what their brain needs.

The Magic Happens When You Stop Trying So Hard

Many of us get this bit wrong: we think learning has to be serious to be effective. We worry that if our dog is having "too much fun," they're not really learning anything important.

Research actually shows the opposite is true⁵. Dogs learn faster, and retain information longer when they're in a positive, playful state. The stress hormones that come with overly serious training can interfere with memory formation, while the happy hormones including dopamine and serotonin, actively improve memory consolidation⁶.

This doesn't mean abandoning all structure, dogs still need boundaries and clear communication. It means the best learning often happens in the space between structure and freedom, where dogs can take what you've taught them and experiment with it in their own way.

Play Improves Behaviour In Real Life

How do you use this information in your daily life with your dog?

After any learning moment, let them decompress through play. Just taught them not to jump on your Aunty? Perfect! Now let them choose what happens next, whether that's a game of chase in the backyard or possessing and carrying a toy around. Their brain will use that fun time to process what just happened. Want to teach them how to 'wait'? Play a Find it game where they wait while you hide the treats. They are learning to wait and it looks like a game, you can then apply this to other situations!

Say 'yes' to your dog changing the game. When your dog invents strange new rules or combines different activities in unexpected ways, try going with it instead of redirecting. You're playing fetch and your dog holds onto the ball, yes, they may be tired or want you to chase them! Instead, run around with them. You might discover something amazing about how their mind works.

Follow their energy. Some dogs need high energy play to process learning, while others prefer calm, gentle interactions. Watch your dog's signals and match their preferred style.

Don't worry about looking silly. The neighbour might think you're weird when you're army crawling around your garden playing hide and seek with your dog, but your dog's brain is building connections that will serve them for life. Any game you play that your dog enjoys will be fulfilling a natural need and calmer behaviour is invariably the result.

Trust the process. Your dog has millions of years of evolution telling them how to learn effectively and what they need both genetically and for their well being. When we create space for play and some choice, we're not being permissive, we're teaching our dog how to live with us. That's smart training.

Why This Matters for Your Life Together

Embrace play as learning to help our dogs develop better skills while building a relationship based on trust, communication, and mutual enjoyment. Dogs who feel heard and understood in their play are more likely to listen and cooperate in other areas of life.

Think about it: would you rather learn from someone who makes everything feel like a test, or someone who makes learning fun? Your dog feels the same.

Your dog doesn't need expensive classes, complicated training protocols, or perfect technique. They need a human who's willing to see the world from their perspective.

Every time you get down on the floor for a game of tug, chase them around the backyard, or let them turn your evening walk into an adventure, you're supporting one of nature's learning systems.

Your dog knows how to do this. All they need is for you to trust them enough to follow their lead.

References

1. Affenzeller, N., Palme, R., & Zulch, H. (2017) Playful activity post-learning improves training performance in Labrador Retriever dogs (Canis lupus familiaris). Physiology & Behavior, 177, 58–65. 📄 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.04.006

2. Affenzeller, N. (2020) Dog–human play, but not resting post-learning, improves re-training performance up to one year after initial task acquisition in Labrador Retriever dogs: A follow-on study. Animals, 10(7), 1235. 📄 This follow-on study demonstrated that dog–human play post-learning improved re-training performance, with effects observed up to one year after initial task acquisition. Best Friends Animal Society 📄 https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10071235 — PMC: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7401598/

3. Miller, J., Cavalli, C., Azadian, A., & Protopopova, A. (2025) The effect of arousal during and post-training on memory consolidation in detection dogs. Scientific Reports / PLoS One, 20(6): e0326368. 📄 This study found that in companion dogs, social play after learning is an example of post-learning arousal that improves retention performance. Shutterfly 📄 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-09902-2

4. McGaugh, J.L. (2000) Memory — A century of consolidation. Science, 287(5451), 248–251. 📄 McGaugh's foundational work established that adrenal stress hormones epinephrine and corticosterone, released during emotional arousal, regulate the consolidation of long-term memory, with the amygdala playing a critical mediating role. Slu 📄 https://doi.org/10.1126/science.287.5451.248

5. McGaugh, J.L. (2015) Consolidating memories. Annual Review of Psychology, 66, 1–24. 📄 https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-psych-010814-014954

© 2026. All content is the property of The Dog Behaviour Academy and may not be reproduced without permission.