Games Which Can Train Your Dog
There are many reasons to play games with your dog. For one most important reason, it will strengthen your relationship. People who regularly play with their dog develop understanding, respect and communication with their dog. Games are activities you do with your dog that require the two of you to communicate and work together in some way.
Dogs are social creatures, playing game is an important element in developing social relationships. Playing games is a fundamental way of "modeling" a real life. You can teach a dog to obey by playing games that make following your instructions fun.
Besides that, it will keep the dog from getting bored, which will keep him from things you don't want him doing, and make him healthier.
Games To Play:
1. Hide and Seek
Put your dog on a sit or down position to wait. Then you go and hide in another room or behind a door. Call him when you are ready. Act very excited and give him a treat when he successfully found you. Start with easy place and slowly move to more difficult to find places. This is fun and will also teach your dog to wait until called.
2. Fetch
Some dogs are natural fetchers, others are not. But it can be trained and have fun. Start by throwing a toy/ball or stick to shorter distance for a start, and command “fetch”. When he manage to fetch it, praise and reward him a lot, eventually he will know the game. Also, practise "drop it" in this “fetch” game. If your dog refuses to return the ball, which is quite common, or drops it too far away, end the game in disgust.
3. Drop It
One way to train “drop it” is to give the dog large item to hold, then offer a very desirable treat for exchange. Wait patiently until the dog notice the attractive treat, and drop the thing and exchange for the treat. If the dog picks it up again, try another exchange and practise again. When the dog is dropping the toy regularly, start giving the cute “drop it” before each treat.
4. Clean Up Your Toys
Get a box to collect a number of toys. Scatter a few toys on the floor. Through shaping and teasing, get the dog to pick up the items one at a time, and place them in your hand. Once the dog is lifting the items high enough to get your hand underneath to receive, you are well started. Reward each "gift" with a treat. This is "return for refund" game. Try different shapes of item which safe for your dog to pick up. Each item retrieved is dumped into the bucket. You will be surprised your dog will end up helping you to clean the house!
5. Find It!
Put your dog in a down-stay position, show him the treat or his favorite toy, then let him watch you put it behind a door, a chair or under a towel. Then tell him to “Find it!” When he does, give him lots of praise. And of course, he gets to eat the treat. You can repeat this by varying the places and treats. Overtime, hide the treat where the dog can't see it, like in another room. Release her, and let her get the treat. You can increase the distance, difficulty level. This is especially good for dogs that have learn "stay" but are nervous about having their people go out of sight.
Check out my site to learn more games!
Rachel is a long time dog owner/lover. She is an expert in dog training, dog grooming, dog?s diet and dog?s psychology for several years. Recently a new member has been added to her family, a Miniature Schnauzer. She has decided to start sharing her experiences as the training starts. If you'd like to know more please visit http://www.rachelanddogs.com