Who on earth would not want to have fun with their fur babies? Sometimes, it’s more about how to have the best fun time with your pet. Most dog parents often remain clueless about the entertaining, engaging games they can play with their canine friends. Well, we have got you covered! Engaging your pet in games not only improves their physical well-being but also stimulates their mind and keeps them active. Moreover, puppy games help with command training and make them more social, allowing them to grow into well-behaved adults.
In this blog, we will learn about 7 fun-filled games, including the benefits they offer. Let’s dive!
7 Simple & fun games to play with your pup
Let’s have a look at 7 easy yet fun games that you can consider for your pup to keep them active and entertained:
1. Tug-of-War: Tug-of-war is one of the most exciting and favorite doggy games that strengthens human-pet bond and helps your pet develop impulsive control. It also aids in teaching your furry friend basic commands like “drop”, burns off excess energy and builds confidence and promotes dental health.
Take a soft tug toy that is easy to grip and is gentle on your pet’s teeth. Offer it to your pup until they grab it and now pull it back and forth. Don’t forget to let them win once in a while and offer treats, praises and rewards when they follow the command as it keeps them interested and motivated.
2. Hide & Seek: Hide & seek is a super fun and interesting game that you can play with your pup. You can also replace yourself with some dog toys. It challenges your pet’s natural hunting instincts, taps into their scent-tracking skills, facilitates command training and offers great mental stimulation.
Hide treats and toys in different but easy-to-reach areas, call them with their name and “search” command and allow them to use their sense of smell to find the items. Once they find it, try hiding the items in difficult-to-find places and always reward and praise them to keep them motivated.
3. Water Sports: Many pups fear or simply don’t like water, but taking them for water sports helps manage their fear and allows them to get accustomed to water-related activities from a young age. Moreover, water sports help in keeping them fit, active and healthy in the long run.
You can consider taking them to a beach or a lake and teaching them to play fetch. Some pups who love playing with water can be taken to swimming pools to splash around, especially in warmer months. Make sure to take care of your pet’s preferences and take necessary precautions wherever required.
4. Training Games: Training games are an excellent idea to not only enhance your pet’s mental and physical health but also teach them basic commands like “sit, stand, stay, come,” etc. Training sessions also enhance cognitive skills, promote obedient behavior while simultaneously creating a strong bond between you and your furball.
Start with basic training and easy tricks such as teaching the “sit” command or a simple “hello”. Use positive reinforcement-based training with treats and praises to keep your pup interested and avoid long sessions to prevent boredom.
5. Fetch: Fetch is a very popular and fun game that helps burn excess calories and aids with command training. It helps your pet learn to respond when called while simultaneously promoting cardiac health, maintaining healthy muscles and enhancing coordination.
Use a soft toy or a ball to play fetch with your pup. Start by throwing it at short distances and ask them to fetch the item and return it to you with a positive and encouraging tone. You can also use a treat to motivate them. Once they learn it, increase the distance but always supervise them to prevent injuries.
6. Puzzle Toys: Puzzle toys are a simple and fun way to keep your pup mentally engaged and challenged. They are beneficial in improving memory, maintaining focus and enhancing problem-solving skills.
Make sure to start with easy puzzles and gradually incorporate difficult ones to keep your puppy challenged and prevent boredom.
7. Agility Games: Agility games help build your dog’s confidence, burn calories, increase coordination and train them to follow future commands obediently. These games are a complete workout of the body and the mind as they involve a lot of physical and mental work.
You can create agility games in your living room with blankets, chairs and other obstacles. Lure your pup into navigating the obstacle by rewarding with a treat, kibble and praise. It acts as an all-round workout for your pup, stimulates their mind and also trains them for advanced courses in the future.
Final Words Choosing the right games, pet-friendly products and appropriate techniques play a significant role in keeping your pup engaged, entertained and delighted. Playing puppy games can act as a great source of physical and mental health enhancement for both you and your little one. However, always consider your furball’s age, breed, choices and requirements before selecting any game. Consult an expert if you feel the need.