Q. MY DOG AND I ARE BORED WITH PLAYING FETCH. DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR OTHER GAMES WE CAN PLAY?
A. Playing with your dog is not just great exercise, its also a wonderful way to bond with him. Here are some ideas for games you can play inside AND outside, depending on the weather.
Be sure to vary the reward – remember that some dogs prefer a belly rub rather than a treat, or a favorite toy instead of a biscuit. If you do
use treats, keep him from gaining weight by using some of his mealtime dog food to play the games.
WHERE’S THE TREAT?
Get a few old plastic cups or margarine tubs. Show your dog that you have a treat or a small toy. Put your
dog in a SIT/STAY then have him watch as you place the item under one of the tubs. Then say
WHERE’S THE TREAT? Give him lots
of praise when he paws, sits beside, or barks next to the correct tub. Lift it up so he can snarf up his reward!
NAME THAT TOY
Gather a bunch of dog toys that are different from each other, like a rubber duck, a stuffed pig, and a ball. Show your dog one of the toys and let him sniff it. Get him excited and toss it, saying WHERE’S YOUR DUCK? When he retrieves it, praise him, then repeat with each toy. Do this over and over until he has figured out which toy is which, and pick them up on command.
FIND IT!
Ask your dog to SIT/STAY. Show him a toy or treat and put it on
the floor so the dog can see it. Say FIND IT! Praise him when he does. Make the
next treat more difficult to locate, like behind a chair or under a table. For a real challenge, hide lots of treats in a room and encourage your dog to search them all out.
STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN
Put your dog in a
SIT/STAY at the bottom of a carpeted staircase. Throw your dog’s favorite toy to the top of the
stairs. Say FETCH or GET IT. When he does, call him to COME, ask him to DROP or RELEASE, and repeat until your dog is ready for a nice nap. (Note: don’t play this with puppies, as their joints are still developing)
HIDE & SEEK
This is a great game for kids to play with the family dog. Have your
dog STAY in one room. Go into another room and hide. Call your dog. Try
not to give away your location by laughing!