Interactive Dog Games

Interactive games are a great way to bond with your dog while helping it release some of its energy. Some interactive dog games are more well-known than others, and not every dog is guaranteed to love all the games. Once you've found your dog's favorite game, it will love playing the game with you and might even start to initiate the game.

  1. Fetch

    • Fetch is one of the best known interactive dog games. Whether or not your dog enjoys fetch does not necessarily depend on her breed, as some retrievers refuse to play fetch. To see if your dog is interested in the game, grab a ball or Frisbee and get its interest by showing it the toy. Throw the ball or Frisbee a couple of feet away and encourage your dog to fetch it. Gradually increase the distance the ball or Frisbee is thrown. To get your dog to return the toy to you, have some of its favorite treats on hand and call her to you. Show your dog the treat and say "drop." When it drops to toy to get the treat, say "good drop" and give your dog the treat immediately.

    Hide and Seek

    • Some dogs enjoy playing hide and seek with their favorite toys or treats. Grab the item that will be hidden and show it to your dog. Tell your dog to sit and stay, and walk into another room where it cannot see you. Hide the toy or treat and call your dog to you. Ask your dog "where's your (enter treat or toy name here)" and watch it search around the room for the item. Start by hiding the item in a relatively easy place and make the hiding places harder as your dog begins to understand the game. When it finds the item, reward it with praise, more treats, or a quick game with the toy.

    Tug of War

    • Tug of war can be a great interactive game to help release some of your dog's pent-up energy. Use a rubber tug toy or a rope toy rather than an item of clothing or towel, as your dog will not distinguish between the "tug sock" and your sock. Pick up the toy and show it to your dog, encouraging it to grab the other end with its teeth. When your dog has ahold of the toy, pull the toy toward you and move it around. Your dog will likely pull back and perhaps even shake its head from side to side to try and make you let go. Make sure you let your dog win the game every now and then to keep it interesting, or it will get bored and not want to play.