Doggie Daycare Games

Dogs are social pack animals. Play is an important component of their mental health and well-being. Toys and games can help fight boredom and prevent destructive behavior by giving the dogs an outlet for their energy. This is especially important in a doggie day care situation, where dog owners are expecting the day care operators to keep their canine charges safe and entertained.

  1. Excavate the Treats

    • The Humane Society of the United States recommends that this game be played with a Kong®-type toy. Choose a toy that is the appropriate size for the dog and fill it with peanut butter, cream cheese, broken-up treats, small kibble or a combination of the above items. This can keep a diligent dog entertained for hours. During hot weather, a Kong®-type toy filled with peanut butter or cream cheese can be placed in the freezer and then given to the dog for an extra bit of refreshment.

    Hide and Seek

    • This is a great rainy day or indoor activity for dogs. Hide toys or treats around a room. You can even hide them under overturned buckets or plastic bowls. Dogs often show more interest when they discover a toy on their own. To further challenge dogs, hide treats under overturned plastic cups. Leave some overturned cups without treats and see if the dogs can sniff out their rewards.

    Tug-of-War

    • Most dogs love playing tug-of-war. This battle of strength is an excellent way to reinforce the dog-human bond. Of course, most dogs enjoy playing tug-of-war with other dogs just as much as they enjoy playing with humans. Special toys are available that let four dogs play tug-of-war at once. The old standbys, however, such as the knotted rope and the rubber tug work just as well in this game.

    Frisbee

    • Some dogs enjoy the challenge of capturing the elusive flying disk. Playing with a frisbee challenges a dog's reaction time and promotes agility. Chasing a frisbee, or playing fetch with a small object, directly engages a dog's prey drive. Dogs have an innate desire to chase and catch small objects. Catching a frisbee is also a very physical activity for your average dog and dogs benefit immensely from exercise.