Looking for a fun way to entertain your dog and keep them out of trouble? Try adding a few dog games to your dog’s routine.
Playing dog games with your dog is a great way to keep them active, engaged and out of trouble. And best of all, it’s a lot of fun for both you and your dog. Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve listed some fun games. From using a flirt pole to playing hide and seek, here are 10 fun games to play with your dog.
1. Dog games: the flirt pole
Using a flirt pole is a fun way to keep your dog mentally and physically active. They are especially great for high-energy dogs, because one quick session can really tire your dog out.
A flirt pole (also called a flirt stick) is a long pole with a rope attached to the end. At the end of that rope is a lure used to entice your dog to chase. The flirt pole provides lots of exercise and is mentally stimulating. They are a way to let your dog use their natural prey drive in a non-destructive way. And they are great for practicing a basic impulse control, such as releasing on command.
Remember to let your dog ‘win’ or catch the lure as a reward while playing. By letting them win, you make the game more appealing and fun, and that will encourage them to keep playing. If they don’t get that chance to win, they can become discouraged and lose interest in the game. You can make your own flirt pole with some PVC pipe, a bungee cord and dog toys. If you’d rather buy one, there are plenty available onAmazon.
Remember to take it slow when you start. Using a flirt pole with your dog is a very high-impact activity and can be rough on your dog’s joints. If your dog isn’t very active at first, start with short sessions and work up to longer ones.
Warning for dogs with arthritis or mobility issues: if your dog has joint or mobility problems, do not use a flirt pole. Because it is such a high-impact exercise, it can cause further joint damage, so instead choose some of these lower-impact exercises.
2. Dog games: tug-of-war with your dog
Tug-of-war is by far my dog’s favorite game. It is fun, it is engaging, it is great physical exercise and it is a good way for dogs to practice their manners. And if you’ve spent a lot of time training with your dog, I’ve found that tug toys are one of the most motivating rewards.
When playing with the tug toy, just remember this basic rule — the game stops if your dog’s teeth touch your skin. Some dogs may struggle with this more than others because tugging can get some dogs (puppies) quite excited. If you stop when their mouth touches your hand, they learn that ‘the fun game stops when I put my mouth on my person’.
And contrary to what is often thought, playing with your dog will not make him aggressive, nor will it make him dominant. If you let your dog win, the game becomes more engaging and it shows your dog that you have a lot of fun playing with him.
3. Dog games: Frisbee with your dog
Another fun game to play with your dog is frisbee. Frisbee is a game that I call an advanced form of fetch, because it encourages your dog to chase over long distances. A game of frisbee is a great exercise and it is a lot of fun for dogs that have a natural drive to chase.
If your dog doesn’t know how to catch a frisbee, I would start with a soft disc. Traditional plastic frisbees are quite hard, so if they hit your dog in the face, they can discourage him from trying to catch it. Practice by getting your dog excited about the frisbee by throwing it over short distances or rolling it along the ground. Encourage them when they start to follow and chase it. Once your dog is excited to chase it, you can increase the distance and start throwing.
4. Dog games: your own Agility course
Another fun game for dogs is creating your own agility course. It is a fun way to teach your dog new tricks, and it is a great source of mental stimulation for dogs.
Using an agility course for your dog is a fun way to give them some mental and physical exercise. I’ve noticed that our dog is more tired after running through our little mini-course than after a 2-mile walk. It’s that extra focus of having to perform one thing after another that really wears them out.
And while you can buy many obstacle courses in the pet store, I prefer to make my own. You can use a hula hoop to jump through, a few blankets to jump over, and a few small cones to weave through. If you want to take it a step further, you can make your own agility equipment. Check out these great DIY obstacle course plans:
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Use Kong toys for stuffing and feeding
Using a filled Kong or some food-dispensing toys is one of the easiest games to play with your dog. It’s fun, it encourages them to use part of their natural foraging ability, and it is mentally stimulating. If you’re not a fan of Kongs, check out the West Paw Tux toy – it is my favorite alternative.
Filling Kong toys is my personal favorite because it can keep our dog Laika occupied for more than 30 minutes. I will fill it with some healthy treats and broth and freeze it overnight. If your dog gets a little stressed every morning when you leave for work, try giving them a filled Kong. It worked well for Laika; after a few days she was more interested in getting the Kong than in the fact that I was leaving.
Food-dispensing toys, such as the Bob-A-Lot, are great for giving your dog a bit more mental stimulation during mealtime. You fill it and they have to nudge or shake it around to get the food out. If your dog has never used food-dispensing toys before, you may need to practice a little before they get the hang of it. After filling it, encourage them to play with it so they can see that food comes out when they move it.
6. Teach your dog to chase bubbles
One of the most fun games to play with your dog is teaching them to chase bubbles. I had my doubts, but it is one of Laika’s all-time favorite games. As soon as I walk to the counter where those bubbles are, she starts to get excited.
If your dog doesn’t know how to chase bubbles, start by blowing a few at a time. Point them out and encourage them to chase. Catch some yourself to show your dog there’s nothing to worry about, and that the whole point of the game is to grab them before they hit the ground.
We use bubbles made for children (they also make scented bubbles specifically for dogs). They are not toxic, but they can upset your dog’s stomach if too many are ingested. And be sure to wipe your dog’s face afterwards, as they can irritate your dog’s eyes.
7. Play some water games with your dog
Going to the local beach can be great fun for dogs, especially for those who already love swimming (for safety, don’t forget a dog life jacket). You can bring dog toys and play a game of fetch in the water. Remember to check first that they float – we’ve lost a few toys in the water to Laika’s dismay.
If your dog isn’t a great swimmer, or if you don’t have beaches nearby, you can play some water games in your own backyard. Buy a plastic paddling pool and fill it with water. Many dogs love splashing around and having a fun little pool to cool off in. Throw some toys in and turn it into a ‘bob for apples’ game.
Some dogs go crazy for the hose. I know exactly what to do to get within 10 feet of the hose and Laika stands by my side waiting for that nice stream of water to start. But the hose can be quite intimidating for some dogs. If your dog isn’t into the hose, they might prefer playing in a sprinkler that doesn’t put out such a strong stream of water.
8. Play ‘find the treat’ with your dog
When it comes to games to play with your dog, ‘find the treats’ is my absolute favorite. It is super easy to play, and the best part is that my dog never gets enough of it. It doesn’t matter that I choose the same 20 hiding spots and that we always play with chopped carrots – she enjoys it every time. My lack of creativity doesn’t bother her at all. Find the treats, like all nose work games, is mentally stimulating and a fun way to let our dogs explore their natural sniffing ability.
To play ‘find the treats’ you should start by placing some treats on the floor while your dog is in the stay position. Give your dog their release command and encourage them to ‘find the treats’. Point to them and help them along if they are having trouble. Encourage them as you go by praising them each time they find one.
Once your dog understands what ‘find the treats’ means, you can slowly begin to increase the difficulty of where you hide them. And once you’ve practised enough in one room, you can hide treats throughout the house.
9. Use a digging box
Some dogs love to dig, and having a dedicated digging box is a way to encourage them to dig in an approved area – one that isn’t your landscaped garden. You can make your own digging box with some wood and sand from your local DIY store. If you have lots of cats around, you might want to build a lid to prevent it becoming a litter box.
Some dogs will be thrilled to have a place to dig. If your dog doesn’t immediately start digging, you can make the game by burying some of your dog’s favorite toys in the box to encourage them to dig them out.
10. Play a game of Hide and Seek
Another fun game to play with your dog is hide-and-seek. Laika absolutely loves it, and I’m still surprised she’s not tired of it yet, even though I keep choosing the same 3 hiding spots. Hide-and-seek lets your dog follow some of their natural scents in a fun and stimulating way.
To play hide-and-seek, your dog must stay while you find a hiding place. Once hidden, call your dog and praise them when they find you. If your dog doesn’t have a reliable ‘stay’, you can enlist someone else to distract your dog while you hide.
What are your dog’s favorite games?
What are some of your favorite dog games? Which games does your dog prefer? Do you think playing games with your dog is an important part of the dog-owner relationship? Let me know in the comments below. Need inspiration, check out this book.