Toys are valuable learning tools and can help you to forge a trusting relationship with your dog, says Carol Price.

ABOUT CAROL Behaviourist and trainer Carol Price is a world-recognised specialist in the Border Collie breed, and an official ambassador for The Border Collie Trust GB. She is also the founder of the leading advice page for collie owners, www.facebook.com/ Collieology

Last month we looked at the critical role play has in dogs’ lives, in both preparing them for real life, and in building social bonds.

From playing with each other as young puppies, dogs move on to their new ‘human’ homes, and it is then that we can take over their ongoing social development and training, with the use of games and toys.

When people first get puppies, playing with them in some way or form may seem the most natural thing in the world. But not everyone appreciates the way toys can also become valuable learning tools, in terms of what dogs learn about us when we use them in play, and what we can teach them.

“It is impor tant to spend as much time as you can playing with any new puppy you get...”

Playing together can strengthen the bond between dog and owner.

Keep the toys your dog values most for training.

“Remember that in leaving his former home, he has lost all his past primary social connections...”