Here are some fun games and toys to try out with you dog. Make sure you follow the directions carefully with the games!
Treasure Hunt
Supplies:
Your dog's FAVORITE toy.
How to play:
Tell your dog to sit and wait while you hide thier toy in a different room. Go back to your puppy and let her find the toy. Encourage her to keeping looking while she tries to find it. If your dog seems to good at this game then hide it somewhre a little more challenging.
Your dog's FAVORITE toy.
How to play:
Tell your dog to sit and wait while you hide thier toy in a different room. Go back to your puppy and let her find the toy. Encourage her to keeping looking while she tries to find it. If your dog seems to good at this game then hide it somewhre a little more challenging.
Scatter Search
Supplies:
Your dogs dinner
A backyard
A Kong
How to play:
If you dog gets fed dry food you can grab some and tell your dog to wait while you toss it into your yard. Then have her/him go find it. Afterwords see if your dog got it all if she/he didn't help her seek out the bits but do not show her exactly unless she/he looks upset.
If your dog has wet food the stuff the food into the Kong and tell her/him to wait while you throw it into the yard. Then come back and tell him/her to go get it. Your dog will have to work to get the food out of the Kong. This game is a fun way to keep your dog happy
Your dogs dinner
A backyard
A Kong
How to play:
If you dog gets fed dry food you can grab some and tell your dog to wait while you toss it into your yard. Then have her/him go find it. Afterwords see if your dog got it all if she/he didn't help her seek out the bits but do not show her exactly unless she/he looks upset.
If your dog has wet food the stuff the food into the Kong and tell her/him to wait while you throw it into the yard. Then come back and tell him/her to go get it. Your dog will have to work to get the food out of the Kong. This game is a fun way to keep your dog happy
Mug Tips
Supplies:
Some treats
An old cup or mug
A timer
How to play:
Ask your dog to sit and stay while you hide the delicious treats underneath the old cup or mug. Then with the timer ready let your dog go to the mug trying to tip it over. Time your dog while they tip the mug or cup and try practicing this for better times.
Some treats
An old cup or mug
A timer
How to play:
Ask your dog to sit and stay while you hide the delicious treats underneath the old cup or mug. Then with the timer ready let your dog go to the mug trying to tip it over. Time your dog while they tip the mug or cup and try practicing this for better times.
Message in a Bottle
Supplies:
Some of your dog's dry food or treats
A large empty water bottle without the lid
How to play:
Place some treats within the empty bottle. Show the bottle to your dog so they see it inside. Then shake up the bottle and give it to them. Watch as they work to unleash the yummy treats.
Some of your dog's dry food or treats
A large empty water bottle without the lid
How to play:
Place some treats within the empty bottle. Show the bottle to your dog so they see it inside. Then shake up the bottle and give it to them. Watch as they work to unleash the yummy treats.
Hide and Seek
A fun game to play in the park is hide and seek. Not only do you play it with friends but you can play a modified version with your dog. Here is how to play. All you need is a dog and you and a friend. First have your dog sniff the hand off the person that is hiding. Then turn your dog the other way while they go hide in a simple area (only to start out with). Once they are hidden have your dog find the person. This will keep your dog's senses alive and active.
Playing With Toys
You might think that playing with toys is no big deal and anyone can do it, but there is more to it than you realize. Here are some Playtime rules to help playing with your dog safer for you both.
1. DO NOT allow you dog to chew or nip on you. ONLY allow them to play with the toys available. Use a long play toy so your hands are far away from your dogs mouth because even though they might not mean to, dogs will bite.
2. Teach your dog to play tug of war with you by holding the toy at a low level. Then move it around until your dog starts to chase it. Pretty soon they will be tugging on the toy like they have been doing it for years.
3. ALso teach your dog to drop the toy when you ask. After a nice game for tug keep your hand on the toy but DO NOT pull or tug on it . Then with your other hand you must offer your dog a tasty treat and say "Drop it." Your dog will drop the toy in order to get the treat and when they do reward them with the treat and say "Good dog!" Don't forget to rub their tummy!
4. To keep your dog from thinking it is okay to bite your body during a fun game try this. If their teeth brush your skin then immediately drop to toy and say "Too Bad!" DO NOT play with them when they come back and offer the toy. Wait a while and then come back to enjoy the game.
1. DO NOT allow you dog to chew or nip on you. ONLY allow them to play with the toys available. Use a long play toy so your hands are far away from your dogs mouth because even though they might not mean to, dogs will bite.
2. Teach your dog to play tug of war with you by holding the toy at a low level. Then move it around until your dog starts to chase it. Pretty soon they will be tugging on the toy like they have been doing it for years.
3. ALso teach your dog to drop the toy when you ask. After a nice game for tug keep your hand on the toy but DO NOT pull or tug on it . Then with your other hand you must offer your dog a tasty treat and say "Drop it." Your dog will drop the toy in order to get the treat and when they do reward them with the treat and say "Good dog!" Don't forget to rub their tummy!
4. To keep your dog from thinking it is okay to bite your body during a fun game try this. If their teeth brush your skin then immediately drop to toy and say "Too Bad!" DO NOT play with them when they come back and offer the toy. Wait a while and then come back to enjoy the game.
The Best Toys
The best dogs deserve the best toys. So for your special dog at home try finding these toys your local pet store!
- a tug toy
- ball on rope
- tennis and soccer balls
- kong
- chews
- buster cubes
- activity balls
- safe empty water bottles
*Did you know: In ancient china, people would put miniature dogs in their sleeves to keep warm!