Games to Play With Your Pointing Dog

Pointing dog breeds are so named because they point their bodies toward game to alert hunters to the exact location of the animal. Pointers are primarily hunting dogs, requiring daily exercise and entertainment. A bored pointer will find a way of entertaining herself, usually through destructive behavior. Playing games with your pointer can help tire her out while appealing to her natural hunting instincts.

  1. Retrieving Games

    • Playing retrieving games, such as fetch, can help burn off some of your pointing dog's excess energy. To teach fetch, get his attention with a ball or Frisbee and act excited to get him excited. Throw the ball or Frisbee a few feet away and encourage him to chase it. When he has the object, call him back. When he brings the ball or Frisbee back, tell him to drop it and offer him another toy or treat in exchange. Build up the distance you throw the ball until he gets the idea.

    Tracking

    • Pointing dogs are bred to hunt and track. To appeal to your dog's tracking instinct, play a tracking game with her. A treasure hunt is a good example of a tracking game. Pick up a favorite dog toy and show it to her. Ask her to sit and stay, then go into another room with the toy. The stay command is an absolute necessity for this game. Hide the toy somewhere obvious in the other room, such as in a corner in plain sight. Call your pointing dog to you and ask her to find the object. If she needs help, stand near the object and call her over. Once she has found the object, reward her with a treat or a few moments of play. As she begins to understand the game, think of more challenging hiding places.

    Hide and Seek

    • Playing hide and seek with your pointing dog is fun and encourages the dog to use his natural hunting instincts. This game also helps build a strong recall command. Start with your pointing dog in a sit/stay or a down/stay position and walk into the next room. Call your dog to you and act excited when he comes to you. Reward him with a pat or treat. When he understands what you want him to do, start choosing hiding places such as behind a couch or under the bed. Your pointing dog will need to use his instincts and sense of smell to find you.