Games to Play with Your Dog

Too few people spend the proper amount of time playing
with their dogs each day. The simple act of engaging your
dog in simple play can have a number of wide reaching
benefits. To start with, it is relaxing for you as a dog
owner.

   Secondly, it is incredibly useful for your dog,
especially if they have tendencies toward anxiety and
boredom. Dogs are not like people. They are not hard to
keep busy. If you give them something to think about and
keep them busy, they will take it and ideally it will
reduce that excess energy.

   Something as simple as playing fetch or having your dog
search for hidden treats can be extremely exhausting for
them. It requires a significant investment of mental
energy - such that they will not run out of energy anytime
soon.

   Finding the Right Games

   There are plenty of games you can play to keep your dog
busy and help the two of your bond. Here are a few of the
most popular - and effective - ways of doing just that.

   * Hide and Seek - This is an easy trick and it works
well. Just hide from your dog and call them to you. When
he finds you, get very excited to show that they did it
just right. You can make it harder over time by hiding in
smaller, more hidden spots.

   * Treasure Hunt - This is a great way to work a dog's
brain, and there are even toys that can help with this. To
do it, hide treats in various places around your home, or
in the toys themselves. Then have your dog go to the treat
and find it.

   * Trick Response - A simple round of "Simon Says" will
have your dog working to complete the tricks you have
taught him in the past. Make sure to teach the dog the
exact commands you'll use and always praise them for
completing each one, preferably with a treat.

   * Fetch and Catch - Fetch is a great activity and some
dogs will try to make you play constantly. The goal here
is to control the fetch session and make sure the dog
knows when to stop. You can hide the toy on a shelf or
have a command to stop playing.

   * Wrestling - Wrestling is good for larger dogs, as
long as they are good at staying gentle. Set boundaries
and if your dog nips or gets too agitated, make sure to
stop playing to avoid any unwanted behaviour.

   * Tug of War - To play tug of war, make sure you get
something that is only for tug of war. Be sure to teach
your dog how to "drop it" as well. You need to control the
activity to avoid any aggressive responses during the
game.

   Dogs play Tug of War in the wild though, and even if
they don't do it right away, they will almost always join
in eventually.

   Playing games with your dog should be a standard part
of the daily routine you use to wear them out. A walk is
equally important, but play time is a great way to bond
with your dog as well, and can help you train them to
respond in important situations.

   The key is to have fun, not encourage negative
behaviours and to be consistent. Make sure you share the
rules of play with everyone in the house so everyone knows
what they are and are not allowed to do in these games.

   If you play it right, however, you and your dog will
have a very good time each time you start your play
sessions and you'll reap the benefits of a worn out pup.