Games with your dog

Dogs thrive on both mental and physical stimulation. They are also inquisitive and enjoy human companionship. By playing constructive games with your dog, you can alleviate boredom, channel the dog’s natural humping behaviour, and reduce any destructive activity. By controlling the games, you will reinforce your authority over the dog.

Frisbee games

Catching a Frisbee and returning it is an exciting game for active, healthy dogs, but it can be physically demanding, and even dangerous, for elderly or overweight animals.

Playing with balls

Catch and drop is a simple game that tests the dog’s reactions and obedience. Always throw the ball away from the dog, not towards it. Throwing a ball towards a dog is dangerous, since it could go down the dog’s throat when it is caught.

Tug-of-war

Only play tug-of-war when the dog learns to drop an object on command, and always use specially made, robust toys. Never play mouth games with possessive dogs, since they might react aggressively.

Jogging

Healthy dogs need plenty of exercise, and training the dog to run to heel with you while you jog is both enjoyable and physically stimulating.

Additional information

Rewarding games

Incorporate training into your games by reinforcing “Come”, “Sit”, and other commands throughout and by using play as the reward. If other people participate in the games, the dog will learn to enjoy the companionship of all humans.

Using toys

After playing, put the toys away in a box. The dog will learn that the toys belong to you, and that it can only play with them under your terms. This makes the toys more desirable, so that you can use them as rewards during training.

Following a scent

Many dogs, especially scent hounds, enjoy the mental concentration of following a scent trail. Lay down a track for the dog by walking through grass, leaving a reward at the end.

NEW COMPLETE DOG TRAINING MANUAL, Dr. Bruce Fogle