Gracie Learns to Play

Gracie surprised me by playing with a sock one evening.  The next night I caught it on camera.  Noted animal behaviorist, Patricia B McConnell wrote in her book, The Other End of the Leash, “dogs raised in the complete absence of any environmental stimuli, like many dogs in puppy mills, often develop into adults who won’t play with any object, ever…  Perhaps there is a ‘critical period’ for object play, just as there is for socialization, in which dogs are hardwired to learn how to play and what to play with.”
While it is hardly the kind of play most dog owners expect, I was thrilled to see her grab my sock.  She also can give a play bow and she will get a wicked little toothy grin and try and nip my nose.  That is her version of play and it is a great joy for me to see it.