Understanding Why Dogs Love Play
It is an action that is differentiated from ‘ordinary life’. Huizinga coined the term ‘flow’ to refer to the highly focussed and responsive state brought on by the spirit of play.
Essentially, play operates within its own sphere, governed by distinct norms which do not echo typical life stipulations, rules and regulations.
It’s often infused with imagination, fantasy, and creativity, and even extends to the animal world with scenarios where dogs are seen engaging in pretend games.
Understanding play is not just limited to its definitional standpoint.
It also requires us to delve into the internal view of the players and their mental states while indulging in play.
Play is characterized by a unique state of mind that involves a blend of tension and joy. It’s a fascinating paradox where excitement and pleasure co-exist, creating the thrill that entices people to play.
At the heart of play is fun, a lighthearted essence powered by its own set of rules.
Play in Scientific Perspective
When we analyze play from a scientific perspective, we tend to detach from the player’s personal view and aspire to perceive an objective analysis.
This detached perspective helps us understand the rules, limits and behavioral patterns that constitute play.
Observing dogs in their play can divulge unique behavioural patterns and insights into canine psychology, cognition, and social behavior.
Dog Play: More than just Fetch
Dog’s play time isn’t just about fetch. Chew on this fact – dogs are known to engage in role-playing where they pretend that sticks, balls, and even their own canine playmates are prey.
This kind of imaginative play isn’t just adorable, it’s also a fascinating display of how our four-legged friends moderate their behaviour according to the context.
It might seem like your pooch is just having fun, but their make-believe games serve as a vital component in their social development and overall mental health.
Not only that, dogs also demonstrate behaviours like running at half their normal speed, or willfully retreating during a game of tug-of-war. This play is much more than child’s play; it’s actually complex actions meant to mimic hunting behaviors, adapted into a playful, give and take, non-aggressive context.
We are alone, absolutely alone on this chance planet; and amid all the forms of life that surround us, not one, excepting the dog, has made an alliance with us. —MAURICE MAETERLINCK
Fun Fact: Dogs can Laugh
Dogs might not chortle or giggle like us humans, but their form of laughter is shown through submissive behaviors.
It is part of their playful language and social engagement. So the next time your pooch lays down or rolls over, don’t just think they are being docile. They might just be cracking a doggy joke.
The Science behind Play: Beyond just Fun and Games
Play isn’t just about having fun.
What we term as ‘play’ is a completely distinct behavioural category, with its own set of neural structures that differentiate itself from other emotional systems within the brain. This further clarifies its unique social and emotional importance.
Play activates what neuroscientist Jaak Panksepp coined as the “play system” in the brain, which overlaps notably with regions involved with joy and movement.
This means that when your pup is out there chasing his tail or fetching sticks, he’s not just exercising his legs but also his brain.
This reveals the complex, multifaceted nature of play: it’s not just an exercise or a form of distraction but an integral part of a dog’s learning mechanism, socialization process, and emotional well-being.
The joy seen on your dog’s face when playing fetch is not only due to the fun they’re having, but also to the essential brain activity taking place.
In other words, never underestimate the power of play. It’s a key element of your dog’s life, vital for their growth and happiness.
Exploring the Mindful Nature of Play
Brown’s insights extend the conventional perceptions of play beyond mere amusement.
His standpoint likens play to sleeping or dreaming, phenomena associated with unique brain activity. What this means is that the brain works in a different way when people are at play. Instead of processing data and making critical decisions as it does in wakeful, work-focused states, it switches to a more relaxed, imaginative mode similar to that in dreams or during sleep.
This unique state of mind induced by play is teeming with positive emotions such as excitement, happiness, and at the same time, a relaxing calm.
The simultaneity of these emotional states is unique to the state of play and contributes to its inherent appeal.
The Role of Dopamine and Opioids in Play
The research into the neurobiological and chemical aspects of play behavior has revealed interesting findings.
Key among them is the role of specific hormones and neurotransmitters, the body’s chemical messengers, in inducing positive emotions associated with play.
Dopamine, a neurotransmitter often linked with pleasure and satisfaction, is intricately involved in play. Just the anticipation of play triggers dopamine release, enhancing the individual’s enjoyment and making them more likely to seek out play opportunities in the future.
Also integral to play are opioids, body-produced substances like endorphins that are known for their calming effects.
They alleviate anxiety and intensify the pleasure derived from play, making the experience more gratifying, thereby promoting a propensity for play.
Social Play and its Emotional Payoffs
More than just fun, play also serves a significant social purpose, specifically as it concerns acceptance and belonging.
The eagerness for social play, where individuals engage in playful actions with others, springs from a desire to fit in and be acknowledged by peers. By partaking in social play, a person sends out signals of their willingness to be part of a group, leading to acceptance within the social setup.
This need to belong is a powerful driver for social play – a truth that lends new dimensions to the importance of play in our daily lives. Noteworthy is the emotional reward accompanying this acceptance, constituting another layer to play’s multifarious benefits.
Panksepp suggests the feeling of strength during play affects outcomes and is influenced by the presence of social bonding partners.
This suggestion argues that playing isn’t just about having fun; it holds an essential role in social development. This is due to the feeling of strength or confidence that emerges during play.
The influential part here is the presence of social bonding partners, whether they’re friends, siblings or parents. Consequently, the outcomes of such interactions aren’t solely confined to the playground but translate into real-life scenarios, impacting childhood development and, later, adult behavior.