A game of hide and seek. Dogs like to play and have a good time, just as humans do. But play is more than just fun. Play is a great way for dogs to get some exercise and burn up excess calories. Of course, no dog was bred to sit in front of the television set all day.
Most breeds have a strong desire to do something physical - to run, hunt, retrieve or herd.
But the average pet owner probably isn't going to go hunting every day, neither does he have sheep in his backyard for the dog to herd or thousands of acres to guard. Just as you might appreciate some physical activity after a long day at the office, exercise allows your dog to relieve some of his stress. For puppies, physical activity helps put them in a better frame of mind for obedience training. Also, she added, if you don't help the puppy channel his energy in positive ways, he will decide for himself how to use his energy, which often means getting into mischief. But when play is interactive, meaning you and your dog share an activity together, there are other benefits in addition to physical exercise.