A dog might be a man’s best friend, but if you don’t know how to get along well with your dog, it will never treat you as a friend, not to mention being loyal to you. Are you a qualified dog owner? How much time do you spend in playing with your dog? The importance of recreation to a dog just like that of rest to a man. To play with your dog in your spare time can not only let your dog enjoy a happy and relaxed feeling, but also strengthen the bond between the two of you. Here we introduce top four time-killing games for dog lovers to entertain their dogs.
Hide and Seek
Hide-and-seek is a fun game for dogs to play. “Found” toys are often much more attractive than toys that are obviously introduced. An interactive game out of finding toys or treats is a good “rainy-day” activity for your dog, using up energy without the need for a lot of space.
- Second, take a treat or its favorite toy with you and hide yourself in part of the house where the dog can’t see you.
- The next step, call your dog’s name once and wait for it to come find you.
- Finally, excitedly give your dog praise when it finds you, and reward the dog with one of the treats or a brief game of tug with the toy you brought.
Starting out, choose very easy hiding spots as you teach your dog the game, and find progressively harder ones as the dog gets the hang of how to play. Once your dog gets familiar with it, you will be able to hide completely out of sight, forcing the dog to use its sense of smell to locate you. This game is great because it also encourages dogs to use their sense of smell.
Tug of War
With the amount of ropes and toys available that encourage tug of war, it’s not surprising that so many dog owners play this game with their dog.
Choose a long, soft toy (such as a stuffed animal or a knotted rope) that you can grip away from your dog’s mouth and that your dog can’t wrench out of your hand with a head shake. Grip the toy with your hands at the ends, and associate a command such as “Get it!” with the game. Once the dog tug playfully without letting go for ten to twenty seconds before giving another commands such as “Drop it.”
However, some people avoid playing tug of war because they worry that it will encourage the dog to be controlling and aggressive, so you need to be aware of the risk. It’s a game that brings out the predator in your dog and can be unhealthy for your relationship if you don’t have trust and respect to begin with. You need to have control over your dog’s power and instincts before you can engage in a healthy game of tug of war with it.
Agility Training
The dogs navigate their way through a variety of obstacles led by their handlers’ directions. This kind of sport offers obedience, social skills, and fitness benefits for dogs and is enjoyable for people as well. The art of it is in the person communicating to the dog what it is he needs to do. Agility allows dogs to gain confidence, which will make them more comfortable in social settings.
The agility tunnel, which is very popular among dog owners, is one of many obstacles that are commonly used in agility courses. Dogs will possibly go through it even if it’s not where they are supposed to go, as they enjoy it very much. Remember to reward their good performance more often with toys or food treats.
We all love our pets and wish they could roam freely out of the house. If you just want to hang out with your dog instead of attending agility training course, considering your dog’s safety, it’s best to put it in a playpen where it can also have outdoor exercises as well as breathe fresh air in a secure environment.
Go Traveling Together
It sounds amazing to take your pets along on travel adventures and enjoy the beautiful scenery together. Before the journey begins, you should make sure to be totally prepared for all of your pet’s needs. To create the most comfortable and safe space you can for your puppy and yourself while traveling, there are a few tips you should bear in mind.
- Use leashes and carriers. Carriers are ideal for smaller pets because their blanket, bedding, and a few toys can fit inside with them. Most importantly, securing them is the safest way to ensure they don’t run off.
- Bring a first aid kit. You never know what might happen on a road trip, especially with pets. It’s important to be prepared for all situations because your dog might get excited in new places.
If you have no idea what kind of games or toys your puppy likes to play, just try it out. Sometimes it doesn’t matter which game you are playing, it is the time that you spend in keeping company with your dog and having fun together matters. Treasure every moment that you can bond with your lovely dog and enhance mutual trust and respect. Have fun!
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