If you dream of staying vibrant, energetic, and young for years to come, I have a little secret to share: surround yourself with a playful dog. From my own experience, one of the greatest gifts my dogs bring to my life—and to my own sense of movement and joy—is their boundless spontaneity. Dogs have this incredible knack for entertaining themselves, but even more so, for coaxing us into play with their infectious enthusiasm for simply having a good time.
Among the many fun rituals we share, there’s one delightful game that Rio introduced to me recently. I call it footsy. It’s simple, sweet, and wonderfully effective at boosting Rio’s engagement with me—even when she’s otherwise distracted or at a distance.
Here’s how it works: The game starts when I say “Feet!” and reach out gently with my foot to touch her chest or stomach. Immediately, Rio springs to life, using her front paws to amplify the interaction, and sometimes even tries to grab my foot with her mouth. This playful back-and-forth never fails to spark joy in both of us.
But here’s the thing about this kind of spirited play: it can quickly spiral into chaos if left unchecked. That’s why I’ve made sure the game happens only on cue—a concept called stimulus control. This means Rio only “attacks” our feet when either John or I invite her to play. If she gets too excited or starts before the cue, we simply don’t engage. This keeps the game safe, fun, and under control.
Why does this matter? Besides the obvious joy it brings, footsy has become a clever tool for recall—getting Rio to come when called. Sometimes food isn’t enough to tempt her away from whatever distraction has caught her eye. But the promise of a lively game of footsy? That’s irresistible.
Here’s a recent example: After our final training session of the day, I’m walking back to the house, and Rio is eagerly ahead, thinking about dinner. I say “STOP,” and she halts immediately, turning to look at me. Then, I start moving away, calling out “Feet!” Suddenly, she bolts toward me, paws flying, mouths playfully chasing my feet—and just like that, we’re off into a whirlwind of fun. Nearby, Deuce, who had been lingering outside the training field, rushes over, curious about the commotion.
I try the game with Deuce, too, but he’s a bit more reserved. So, I slow down the pace for him, and soon enough, he’s grinning with his mouth wide open—a clear sign of canine happiness.
Games like this remind me that there are countless ways to connect with our dogs—sometimes just for pure fun, other times to refocus their attention when we really need it. And here’s the best part: I might not always have treats on hand, but wherever I go, my feet are always with me.
So, if you want to nurture your youthfulness and add a little magic to your day, consider inviting a playful pup into your life. They’ll keep you moving, laughing, and most importantly, young at heart.