London - It’s a dog’s life for the nation’s mutts – who are becoming anxious and aggressive through lack of play, experts fear.
A study of 4 000 dog owners has found a clear link between limited playtime and behaviour problems, such as being nervous when left alone, disobedience and snapping at other animals.
And while researchers can’t be sure that playing less is directly to blame, they say that games provide vital intellectual stimulation and exercise.
The Bristol University study showed that only one in five owners play with their dogs six times a day. Half play two or three times and day and 10 per cent have just one play session.
Former chief vet for the RSPCA Mark Evans said that dogs are one of the few animals to play into adulthood. He told the Sunday Times: “There is a clear association in the results. Owners report more potential behaviour problems in dogs that play less.”
Emily Blackwell – who conducted the research unveiled on Britain’s Channel 4’s Dogs: Their Secret Lives – said dogs often enjoy playing so much that they slow down or change strategy to make the fun last longer.
The lecturer in canine welfare hopes that 10 000 people will eventually fill out the survey. This will enable her to firmly establish whether lack of play is affecting dogs’ moods – or if their emotional problems put their owners off spending time with them. - Daily Mail