Sam's just over 2 1/2 years old and LOVES to play. He's super friendly with strangers and wants to meet and play with every dog he see's. And he's really good at getting other dogs to play doing the puppy pounce towards them. The problem is that he ALWAYS wants to play. I remove toys from the yard when we're not playing with them otherwise anytime I'd enter the yard Sam would look at the toy and then look at me and continue that in an attempt to get some play time. So I'm thinking that the problem is ME playing too much with him.
I work from home so the day begins at 8am with me taking Sam for a 30 minute walk. Sometimes I'll take him down to the lake for some fetch and retrieve but lately with the heat I've just taken him in the yard and played fetch for 20 minutes.
At 11:30 I'll take him in the yard and play fetch for 15 minutes and then leave him until I'm done lunch.
Another 15 minute play session starts at 3pm. Then my wife takes him for an hour walk after dinner around 7pm.
I play with him that frequently because I think he needs the exercise plus I kind of enjoy the break and play session. Inside he's not the MOST affectionate guy. I mean he obviously likes us but he won't be mistaken for a Labrador Retriever. He usually just sleeps when we're in the house and doesn't follow us around. My wife is wondering whether that's just his nature or if all he's interested in us is to play and if we're not playing he's not that interested.
I was thinking of cutting out the 11:30am play session but hate to do it as I know he'll be bored and waiting by the fence for me to come out. But if this is going to be for his own good I'll do what it takes.
So I'm wondering what your opinions are on this? Does this much play seem fine or is it in our best interest to start slowing down on the play?
I work from home so the day begins at 8am with me taking Sam for a 30 minute walk. Sometimes I'll take him down to the lake for some fetch and retrieve but lately with the heat I've just taken him in the yard and played fetch for 20 minutes.
At 11:30 I'll take him in the yard and play fetch for 15 minutes and then leave him until I'm done lunch.
Another 15 minute play session starts at 3pm. Then my wife takes him for an hour walk after dinner around 7pm.
I play with him that frequently because I think he needs the exercise plus I kind of enjoy the break and play session. Inside he's not the MOST affectionate guy. I mean he obviously likes us but he won't be mistaken for a Labrador Retriever. He usually just sleeps when we're in the house and doesn't follow us around. My wife is wondering whether that's just his nature or if all he's interested in us is to play and if we're not playing he's not that interested.
I was thinking of cutting out the 11:30am play session but hate to do it as I know he'll be bored and waiting by the fence for me to come out. But if this is going to be for his own good I'll do what it takes.
So I'm wondering what your opinions are on this? Does this much play seem fine or is it in our best interest to start slowing down on the play?
