Fun Games for Dogs

Most dogs are playful by nature and love to play with other dogs or with their owners. Playing games with your dog helps you bond, and games can make training sessions fun. When you play a game with your dog, you need to communicate and work together for the game to be successful.

  1. Hide and Seek

    • Hide and seek is a fun game that teaches your dog to stay and to use his natural hunting instincts. Put your dog in a “sit-stay” or a “down-stay” in one room. Go into another room and hide somewhere. Call your dog and let him find you. Try hiding in more obvious places at first until your dog gets the idea of the game, then build up to more difficult hiding places as he gets better at the game.

    Fetch

    • Fetch is a well-known dog game. Not all dogs have the fetching instinct, but many can learn to fetch, dog trainer Stacy Braslau-Schneck says on her website, Wag ‘N’ Train. Fetch also teaches dogs the command “drop.” Try throwing the ball close by at first, and encourage your dog to chase and pick up the ball. Call her back to you. Some dogs might take longer than others to learn that they need to bring the ball back when you call them. When the dog reaches you with the ball, offer an exchange. Give the dog a treat for giving up the ball.

    Find the Toy

    • Find the toy teaches your dog to retrieve and use his senses. Some dogs may prefer finding treats over toys, but the object of the game remains the same. Show your dog his favorite toy or treat and put him in a “sit-stay” or a “down-stay.” Leave the room and hide the toy or treat in an easy-to-find place. Call your dog into the room and say “where’s the toy/treat?” You might need to help the dog find the toy or treat the first few times you play this game. When he finds the hidden object, reward him with a short play session or praise. As your dog gets better at finding hidden objects, make the hiding places more challenging. This game uses up the dog’s physical and mental energy, because he is required to use his brain and senses to find the object.

    Tug of War

    • Tug of war is a fun game, but is not recommended for aggressive dogs or dogs with forceful personalities. The secret of the game is human control, Braslau-Schneck says. Pick up one end of a tug rope and encourage your dog to take hold of the other end. Tug the toy gently a few times so your dog gets the idea of the game. Ask your dog to drop the toy and offer a treat as an exchange. If she will not let go of the toy, end the game by dropping the toy and walking away. Keep control of the game by always initiating and ending play.