Play is a key indicator of positive welfare in dogs and serves essential developmental and social functions. Facilitating appropriate play supports dog wellbeing throughout life.
Dog play is both a welfare indicator and a welfare contributor. Dogs that play regularly show positive affective states, better social competence, and lower stress. Facilitating appropriate play between dogs and between dogs and humans is a high-value welfare intervention requiring little cost. Monitoring play allows early detection of welfare problems: reduced play often precedes other clinical or behavioral signs of pain or anxiety. Supervised socialization from puppyhood allows development of appropriate play skills. Dog parks and off-leash areas serve important play functions but require appropriate supervision to prevent conflict between incompatible play styles.