Make-Believe With Dogs

Make-believe playmates can work magic because they let a dog “just go crazy and relieve their frustration from living in captivity in the modern pet environment,” says Brophey, author of Meet Your Dog. “They probably have more pent-up frustration than we can begin to even understand.”

Years ago, when Brophey first considered offering puppies and dogs a make-believe playmate, she wondered if it might backfire. What if the animals got too rough with the doll, developed bad habits, and carried those issues over into real life?

In practice, she found, the opposite holds true. Puppies and dogs will attack and growl and wrestle with the dog doll, but afterward, their behaviors improve—sometimes dramatically. Having a faux friend provides a wonderful outlet for normal developmental needs. It saves people’s ankles from attack, protects older dogs from tireless young dogs, and even increases confidence in fearful animals.

Click here for the original article at Psychology Today

I recommend stuffed dogs from Melissa and Doug. The Jack Russell Terrier is good for small dogs and the Black Lab is good for medium to large dogs.