Lessons from the Leash (Chapter 6): The Power of Play
A leash didn’t build the bond...laughter did.
She was a young Belgian Malinois with all the drive in the world and zero interest in me.
Her name was ‘Nova’.
She came from solid working lines, had bite in the tug, a beautiful heel, and energy to spare. But when I met her, she didn’t care that I was in the room. She was obedient, technically, but disconnected. When she came when called, it felt transactional. When she sat, it was more like “there, I did it, happy?” than “I’m with you.”
Her handler, ‘Daniel’, was a former athlete. Focused. Disciplined. He liked structure. Nova had it too; she lived for work. But what they lacked together was spark.
No tail wags. No eye contact. No real joy.
And if you’ve worked with dogs long enough, you know: obedience without engagement is always on a timer.
So I asked Daniel a simple question:
“When’s the last time you just played with her?”
He blinked. “We train every day.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
The Story
We brought out a tug toy. At first, Nova ignored it. She sniffed it, looked away, stared at Daniel like, “What do you want me to do with this?”
But I didn’t cue. I didn’t command. I just got silly. I tossed the toy a few feet, tugged it along the grass, squeaked, and flopped onto the ground. She stared at me like I’d lost my mind.
And then, she pounced!
That was it.
She grabbed the toy and sprinted. She whipped around and charged back. For the first time in that session, her eyes lit up. Tail wagging. Hackles down. Total engagement.
The obedience came next, but it felt different this time. She came when called with a grin. She sat fast, looking up. She followed Daniel with her body and her heart.
Something unlocked.
Not because we added pressure or structure.
Because we added play.
Training Lesson: Engagement is the Gateway to Obedience
You can’t drag a dog into obedience and be successful. You have to invite them.
If your dog doesn’t want to be with you, if they see you as a rule-giver, not a teammate, then training becomes a grind. But if your dog sees you as the most interesting, rewarding, and fun part of their world, suddenly everything shifts.
Engagement isn’t a reward for obedience; it’s the foundation of it.
Dogs learn faster when they’re in a playful, relaxed state. They bond more deeply when there’s joy in the process. They want to work with you when it feels like a game, not a chore.
And play isn’t just for puppies or high-drive dogs. Every dog, at every age, needs a form of fun that’s meaningful to them.
Take-Home Homework: Play Without Asking
Set a timer for 3–5 minutes.
Take your dog outside or into an open space.
Bring a toy or treat, but don’t ask for anything.
Play. Be unpredictable. Move fast. Use your voice. Get on the ground.
If they engage, go with it. If they don’t, keep it light. Make you the prize.
When time’s up, calmly walk away.
The point? To show your dog that you are worth watching, even when you’re not asking for anything.
This simple shift can change everything.
Coaching Insight: Joy Is Not Optional, It’s a Strategy
We often think of joy as something we earn after the work is done. But in life, and dog training, joy is what makes the work sustainable.
Play isn’t just a break from training.
It is training.
It teaches connection. It builds confidence. It opens the door to trust and responsiveness.
As adults, we’re taught to grind. To focus. To prove. But dogs remind us: sometimes the fastest way to progress is to loosen our grip and find the fun again.
Because the dogs who love working with us, the ones who light up when we call, they don’t just obey.
They want to be with us.
And that changes everything.
- Karl Anthony
FireTeam K9
Edmonton, AB
This made me smile 😊 Of there's one thing I have no shortage of, it's joy with Dezi. She's a certified nut and we do use that in play a lot.
Finally, a post of yours that I'm already doing properly haha!