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Games For Dogs

Submitted by Michael Adams on March 10, 2010

You should play plenty of games with your dog/puppy as it will not only build a solid and wholesome relationship between the two of you but also keep your furry friend alert and energetic. Playing games also gives your dog the exercise it needs to stay healthy and happy. This is also a good opportunity for your dog to learn manners.

These activities provide exercise in a fun way and reduce boredom. Keep in mind that you must be able to establish control over your dog even when it’s excited. Here are a few games for dogs which will allow you to spend quality time with your friend and also keep it happy.

•   Hide and Seek: Hide in locations which your dog is acquainted with initially, so that as soon as you are out of sight and call its name, it gets to find you. Once your dog finds you, show it that you’re excited at being found.

•   Treasure Hunt: This is a popular game for puppies. Hide a treat for your dog. Release your dog and encourage it to go find the treat. Gradually, you can make the game more difficult by increasing the distance and interesting by increasing the number of treats.

•   Round-robin recalls: You and your family members go into separate rooms of the house, with treats in hand, and call the dog by name. When the dog comes to the right person, the person should reward it with a treat. Then the next family member begins calling.

•   Tug of War: You must choose one particular toy to play a tug of war. Start with treating your dog as and when it holds one end of the toy, the moment you hold the other. Gradually it will learn tugging, which is instinctive for many dogs. A lot of energy goes into playing tug of war. At the same time, it is a fun training exercise where your dog doesn't realize that it's practicing its behavior commands.

•   Flying Disk (AKA Frisbee): Playing Frisbee or flying disk with your dog can be a fun game. You can increase the levels of difficulty of the game eventually. Throw as many Frisbees you can in a set time limit and award points as well as treats for various catches made by your dog, depending upon the distance of throw. This is not only good exercise, but also develops your dog’s coordination and reflexes.

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