{"id":30545,"date":"2021-06-28T13:24:16","date_gmt":"2021-06-28T21:24:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/?p=30545"},"modified":"2023-07-20T17:25:38","modified_gmt":"2023-07-21T00:25:38","slug":"cool-dog-games","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/cool-dog-games\/","title":{"rendered":"17 Cool Dog Games: Fun Activities For You And Your Pooch"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Being confined inside can be hard for your dog. Most like to go for walks or play in a yard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what if it\u2019s too hot out? Or it\u2019s a monsoon outside? Your pup still needs some physical and mental exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s good to have some inside games and activities for your dog to engage in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even when the weather\u2019s good, it\u2019s important to have things for your dog to do while inside. In addition to his regular walks or play sessions, he can have fun performing new activities.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Cool<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Today we’re going to cover some cool dog games for both you and your pooch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Should You Play Cool Games With Your Dog?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are so many benefits to having our dogs participate in a variety of new activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any time we engage with our dogs in a positive manner, it furthers our bond with them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doing these activities also exercises our dogs\u2019 bodies and minds. And it prevents them from being bored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Games also help build a dog\u2019s confidence. I highly recommend some games for shy dogs to help them become more confident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If we don\u2019t find acceptable activities for our pups, they\u2019ll find their own. And what my dog might want to do–like digging on the couch–isn\u2019t going to be acceptable to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So I make sure that my dogs have games and activities they can engage in. The old motto that \u201ca tired dog is a good dog\u201d still rings true.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Dogs Benefit from Games?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

All healthy dogs benefit from new activities. Of course, the type of activities may vary depending on the breed(s) and age of your dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dogs from the sporting group like golden or labrador retrievers require more activity generally than a toy breed like a shih tzu will need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same is true of herding dogs like border collies or of terriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though working-type dogs and younger dogs generally need more activity, many of the games described below can be adapted for any breed type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You just might not play as long or may have lower jumps on an activity course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cool Dog Games<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. The Nose Knows: Scent Work<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are many activities to use your dog\u2019s natural ability to find things by scent. After all, we can say that dogs have a \u201cnose brain\u201d because of their natural ability to find things by scent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And most dogs love using this natural ability. The following games reward them when they do so,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course if your pup still wants to chew on everything, don\u2019t do the games where he may chew through the item, such as the cup or furniture, used in the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRO TRAINER TIP:<\/em><\/strong> Have <\/em>pea-sized treats<\/em><\/a> ready to use in your activities. In some of the treat-dispensing devices, you can put a few pieces of your dog\u2019s kibble and a few treats. For these games, I don\u2019t use moist treats like cheese or meat, because they can leave too much scent on the rug or furniture.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Magic Cups<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In this game, you place a treat under a plastic cup on the floor. The cup is placed upside down on the floor.  I use either large party cups<\/a> or other large light plastic drink cups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At first, you show your dog that you\u2019re placing one treat under one cup turned upside down. Tell him to \u201cfind it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When he nuzzles and tips the cup over, praise him (\u201cgood find it\u201d). He automatically gets the treat reward. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What if he doesn\u2019t tip the cup at first? Then, you have him watch you tip it the first time and let him have the treat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, he should get the idea of what he has to do to get his reward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once your dog understands what to do, you add a cup without a treat under it and still have one cup with the treat under it.  Have the two cups at least six inches apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After he understands the game, you can add more upside down cups without treats under them. Always have only one cup with a treat under it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Which Hand?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In this game, you put a treat in one hand only and close your fist around the treat. You then show that hand to your dog and tell him to \u201cfind it.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When he gently nudges or paws your hand, praise and reward him by opening your fist and giving him the treat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once he gets the idea of what to do, you then present both of your hands closed as fists to him. Only one hand will contain a treat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Praise and reward when he nudges the hand with the treat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Hidden Treasure<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In this game, you hide some treats or a favorite toy in a room. At first, you show your dog where you are hiding a treat. Then tell him to \u201cfind it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I make it very easy at first. I would hide the treat under a coffee table or chair with high legs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t place the treat far in. Just place it about an inch under the furniture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One he gets the idea, then hide a few more treats at various accessible places in the room before telling him to find them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I place only one treat at each location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can even play a \u201chot-cold\u201d game while your pup\u2019s seeking out the treats. When he\u2019s getting closer to a hidden treasure, you can tell him he\u2019s \u201chot\u201d and praise when he finds it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also tell him he\u2019s \u201ccold\u201d when he\u2019s not finding it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I play this with my dogs. I even play this outside, where I hide my golden retriever Riley\u2019s favorite Kong Extreme ball in the fenced yard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I tell him to find it. I also let him know when he\u2019s \u201chot\u201d or \u201ccold.\u201d He caught on to this very quickly and loves the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Riley\u2019s so cute and excited when he finds his treasured ball!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Snuffle Mat<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a mat<\/a> made of many longer pieces of cloth in which the dog needs to find treats hidden in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can make them or purchase them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I usually place about seven or so treats or kibble scattered in the mat. Then, present the mat to your dog. Praise and reward when he finds them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most dogs love searching for the kibble\/prey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Play Hide and Seek<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Remember how much fun you had as a child playing this game? Well, your dog can experience that too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can put your dog in a sit\/stay if your dog knows that. You can then release him after hiding and tell him \u201cfind me.\u201d  Say it a few times until he finds you,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At first, just go out of the room around the corner. As he understands the game, you can hide in places that are more difficult for him to find you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make it a party when he discovers you–praise and treat him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your dog doesn\u2019t know sit\/stay, you can have a helper hold his collar or a short leash. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The helper can release your pup immediately when you call him to find you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I played this with my Aussie mix puppy and it made her have a very reliable recall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Teach Crazy Sits<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a fun game for a dog who knows how to sit on command. It also helps a dog learn impulse control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can start this on leash and eventually play it off leash. At first, rev your dog up a little and say \u201clet\u2019s go,\u201d moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stop suddenly and tell your pup to sit. Praise and reward with a small treat when he sits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As he gets the idea of the game, you can get a little sillier when you rev your dog up before telling him to sit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can wave your arms around. Raise your voice. Move faster before you stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, you don\u2019t want to play this game if you have a dog who is still jumping on you or grabbing you or your clothes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Work on those issues until they\u2019re resolved before playing this game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Use an Obstacle Course<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can set up a mini agility course<\/a> in your house or yard. You can buy one or make your own. It doesn\u2019t have to be fancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it will help keep your dog fit and build his confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What you\u2019ll create will depend on your dog\u2019s size and ability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even for a larger, younger dog, I keep the jumps low. I might make a jump only four inches off the ground, so as not to risk injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The point is to have fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So you can use a sturdy box with open ends as a tunnel. Just use one that\u2019s comfortable enough for your dog to run through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At first, you can lure your dog in with a treat, eventually luring him further in, then through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or use a couple of kitchen chairs with open legs underneath lined up for him to go through the legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can make a jump by using a broomstick or piece of PVC pipe perched on low boxes like a tissue box on either end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Empty plastic milk or detergent jugs can serve as items he can weave around. You would line up five in a row and have them about two feet apart. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, lure your dog to weave in and out of them with a treat in front of his nose. Tell him to \u201cweave.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each time he weaves around a jug, praise (\u201cgood weave!\u201d) and give him the small treat. Then, start again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Play Tug of War<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most dogs LOVE this game. Some trainers say that people shouldn\u2019t play tug with their dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As long as a dog doesn\u2019t guard his toys and will take and give the toy on command, I play tug with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So you want to teach him to take the toy and let go of it on cue. In between, you can lightly tug and tell your pup to tug.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In teaching your dog to give the toy up when you say \u201cgive,\u201d have a treat ready to exchange for the toy,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ll only play tug with larger toys, such as a fleece or rope toy<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t want the dog to unavoidably bite or scratch you with his teeth as might occur if you try to tug on a ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Use Puzzle Toys<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are so many possible toys you can use to enrich your dog\u2019s life. There are treat-dispensing balls<\/a> and cubes<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Others need your pup to pull, push, or slide devices<\/a> to release treats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some are easier than others. I would start with an easy one, then provide more difficult ones to keep your dog\u2019s interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t need to break the bank to provide toys. You can make your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use a metal muffin tin and place a small treat or piece of kibble in some compartments. Then cover each compartment with a tennis ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Place it on the floor and tell your pup to \u201cfind treats.\u201d Praise him as he investigates and finds the treats or kibble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, you always want to supervise interaction with puzzle toys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. Teach Obedience Commands<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

All dogs should learn at least some basic obedience commands<\/a> such as come, sit, down, stay, wait, loose leash walking, attention, and leave it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if your dog knows these, there are many others you can teach. And you can proof the ones he knows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If he can sit\/stay, proof the exercise by having him sit longer before you release him. Or add a distraction of someone walking by while he stays in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

11. Work on Impulse Control<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some of the commands you can work on are sit\/stay, down\/stay, wait, leave it, and settle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can even teach your pup to go to a mat or bed and settle on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are important for all dogs to learn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12. Teach Tricks<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tricks are really just another form of obedience. But they can really impress your friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teach him to speak or be quiet on command. Or teach him to shake hands or wave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can even teach your dog the names of his toys or to put them away in a basket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I just taught my sheltie Gracie to dunk a ball in a child-height basketball hoop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can teach him to catch a soft toy or treat on command.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sky\u2019s the limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13. Use a Flirt Pole<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A flirt pole<\/a> is a pole with a long, sturdy string attached to a toy. You wave the toy around in the air and your dog tries to grab it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t want to wave it too high or your pup may get hurt. Also, your dog should know how to release the toy on cue so that the game can continue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dogs with alot of prey drive really can have fun with this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I use this with puppies. It builds confidence and helps exercise the pup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

14. Do Round Robin Recalls<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a fun game that helps your dog come more reliably. It also helps physically exercise your pup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can have two or more people at least 10 feet apart. I\u2019ve done it with as many as five people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each person individually calls the dog by name to come one at a time. When the pup arrives, the person gives him a jackpot (a few great treats in a row) and happily praises the pup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, the next person calls the dog and rewards and praises the dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just call the dog once or twice to each person, then end the game. You want to end while the dog is still having fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, all of the people playing the game should be people the dog already knows and likes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

15. Have Him Chase Bubbles<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Remember chasing bubbles<\/a> when you were a young child? Remember how much fun it was chasing and popping those ethereal objects?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, our dogs can have the same fun too. There are even products that are made specifically for dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

16. Teach Clicker Training<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can help your dog learn by using a clicker<\/a>. The click that the device makes when you press it marks that your pup successfully performed the exercise you\u2019re teaching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just like saying \u201cyes!\u201d when your dog sits after your cue, the click marks the behavior you desire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At first, however, a click means nothing to your dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So you must first \u201cload the clicker.\u201d All this means is that you teach your pup that he did the right or desired thing and that he\u2019ll immediately be rewarded with a treat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have treats ready and your dog in front of you. Click the clicker and immediately give your pup a treat. You don\u2019t have to say anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019re just teaching him he gets a treat after the click.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do this about four or five times per session. Do two or three sessions a day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eventually, you can use this event marker in your everyday training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just remember that timing is everything. You must immediately click and treat to mark the dog\u2019s behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

17. Use Free Shaping Games<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In free shaping, you teach a behavior in gradual steps using a marker (like the word \u201cYes!\u201d or a click) and rewards. Your timing must be excellent in marking the desired behavior and rewarding it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can even just use free shaping to see what your dog will do. One example is  putting a low-sided box on the floor to see what your dog will do with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caveat: don\u2019t do this exercise with dogs or puppies who want to chew on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The box should be low enough that the dog can step in and out of it and large enough that he can sit in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You would put the box on the floor, then click and reward each behavior that your dog performs that you want to encourage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, you might click and treat when your pup puts a foot in, then click and treat again when he steps in the box. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You get the idea. Only do this exercise as long as the dog is still interested. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So you might just let him explore what to do with the box for five minutes, for example, then move onto something else to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also do free shaping games with other safe objects too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final Thoughts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just because we\u2019re house-bound because of weather extremes–or even the pandemic–there are many opportunities to have enrichment activities for your dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They will help your bond with your canine companion and stimulate his mind and exercise his body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And you\u2019ll both have a great time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are there any cool dog games you love playing with your dog that we didn’t mention?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tell us what you like to do with your dog when you’re stuck at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comment section below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related Articles:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n