Play with me!
Playing is so so so important for puppies! Engaging in play helps them learn about the world. If you're lucky you have another dog that helps them play - like Sisko is doing above.
Puppies can play by themselves, but engaging in play with them is so important! It increases the bond if you are down on the floor playing with them, wrestling over toys and throwing toys for them to chase.
It also teaches them boundaries. It is extremely common for puppies to get really wound up while playing and start biting you hands or other body parts instead of the toys. A sharp OW! and then stop the play. Booker is learning quickly that biting is unacceptable. Sisko has been reluctant to put him in his place - he is such a good boy - but those puppy teeth HURT and last night he Booker did bite Sisko a little too hard and Sisko did give him a warning snap back which I am fine with - that is how a pack works.
Our living room looks like a Petco toy department puked all over it. There are squeaky toys, balls, crinkle toys - some perfectly puppy sized and some way too big. But this gives him all kinds of options for play. We also have things for him to chew on like beef trachea which are great for keeping him occupied.
Get those toys out and play WITH your puppy, don't expect him to entertain himself!
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