Do animals enjoy sports & games because theres no pressure to win?
Maybe, but I’m not sure about pressure or at least wanting to win. I used to have a Lab mix, that was very young, and next door was a very large mixed breed that looked like 2 of it’s breeds were St. Bernard and Golden retriever and it was a lot older. We had long yards. The 2 dogs would race back and forth all day along the fence keeping each other company. But my dog usually won (I’m not bragging) and would wait at the end of the yard and bark what seemed like “I won, I won, I won” and seem to want to rub it in to the older dog. He sometimes would walk away dejected, sometimes not. But I think they know if they win. But skateboarding, I don’t know, I’m sure they aren’t as aware of winning or losing.
I agree with Bear. Animals ‘play’ – like a kitten chasing anything moving – is just practising hunting skills and perhaps similar to us throwing pebbles on the water, trying to make them skip. But put 2 humans together throwing pebbles and an element of competition will take over – each trying to mirror the Olympian ‘Stronger, higher, faster’ stuff – which would only interest animals when lunch was at stake. Surfing dogs are indeed fascinating and I’m sure we have a lot yet to learn about animal behaviour and their powers to ‘think’. But I suspect it’s simply enjoying things they learn by imitation and nothing to do with a sense of style, accomplishment or doing better than the next dog. The Crufts ‘Champion of Champions’ will appreciate it’s the centre of much attention and enjoy the little treats for obedience but I think we can be sure he/she doesn’t go home thinking “I knew I’d see that poncy poodle off – what a loser”. I’d disagree that sports are more enjoyable without competitio
