Affordances are a foundational concept within the Play+ framework, providing a lens through which handlers and dogs can dynamically interact with their environment. This guide helps clarify what affordances are and how to recognize and leverage them to foster intentional cooperative play.

1. Understanding Affordances

Affordances are the potential opportunities for action that the environment offers to a specific being, based on their abilities.

Key Examples

• For the Dog:
  • A frisbee in mid-air offers a chance to leap and catch.
• For the Handler:
  • The dog’s body language signals readiness for a new activity.

Relational Nature of Affordances

• Affordances exist in the interaction between the environment and the capabilities of the dog or handler.
  • Example 1: A high jump might not be an affordance for a small or tired dog but could be for a larger, energized one.
  • Example 2: A frisbee at ground level offers a different affordance than one flying through the air.

2. Affordances in Play

Affordances are present in every aspect of play. Understanding and utilizing these affordances enhances the interaction between handler and dog.

Disc Throwing

• A disc in motion creates an affordance for the dog to chase or leap.
• The quality of the affordance depends on the handler’s throw:
  • Is it reachable?
  • Is it engaging?
  • Is it clear?

Handler Movements

• Stepping backward may afford the dog the opportunity to move into a front position.
• A crouched posture might invite the dog to vault.

Environmental Factors

• Open fields afford opportunities for running or flanking maneuvers.