Puppies are adorable, but they can also be quite a handful. Training them can be a bit challenging, but it doesn’t have to be boring or repetitive. One way to make training more enjoyable for both you and your furry friend is by playing games. Not only do games keep your puppy engaged and entertained, but they also help reinforce positive behaviors and obedience. In this blog post, we’ll explore seven fun games that you can play with your puppy that will also help with their training.
1. Hide and Seek Hide and Seek is a great game to play with your puppy, and it can help teach them the “come” command. Start by hiding behind a piece of furniture or a door, and call your puppy’s name in a playful tone. When they find you, reward them with a treat and lots of praise. As your puppy gets better at the game, you can make it more challenging by hiding in different places or having someone else hold your puppy while you hide.
2. Fetch Fetch is a classic game that puppies love to play, and it’s an excellent way to teach them the “drop it” command. Start by throwing a toy a short distance and encourage your puppy to retrieve it. When they bring the toy back to you, ask them to drop it, and reward them with a treat and praise. As your puppy gets better at the game, you can increase the distance and add more toys to make it more challenging.
3. Tug-of-War Tug-of-war is a great game to play with your puppy, and it’s an excellent way to teach them the “drop it” and “leave it” commands. Start by using a tug toy and encourage your puppy to tug on it. When you’re ready to end the game, ask them to drop it, and reward them with a treat and praise. You can also use the “leave it” command to teach them to let go of the toy when asked.
4. Find the Treats “Find the Treats” is a fun game that can help teach your puppy the “stay” and “come” commands. Start by having your puppy sit and stay in one spot while you hide treats around the room. Then, release your puppy and encourage them to find the treats. When they find a treat, call them back to you and reward them with praise and another treat. Check out this fantastic blog that talks about treats and training.
5. Follow the Leader “Follow the Leader” is a fun game that can help teach your puppy to walk on a leash and stay by your side. Start by walking around the room with your puppy on a leash and encouraging them to follow you. If they stray too far or get distracted, gently guide them back to your side and reward them with praise and a treat.
6. Name Recognition Name recognition is an essential skill for any puppy to learn, and it’s also a fun game to play. Start by saying your puppy’s name and rewarding them with a treat when they look at you. Then, gradually increase the distance between you and your puppy and say their name. When they look at you, reward them with a treat and praise.
7. Shell Game The shell game is a fun game that can help teach your puppy to follow your hand movements and use their nose. Start by placing a treat under one of three cups and shuffling them around. Then, encourage your puppy to choose the cup with the treat under it. When they choose the right cup, reward them with the treat and praise.
Training your puppy doesn’t have to be a chore. By incorporating these fun games into your training routine, you can help reinforce positive behaviors and obedience while also having a great time with your furry friend. Remember to keep the games short, simple, and fun, and always reward For more information have a look at this article about the best ways to train your puppy.
