Building a stronger bond with your dog is as easy as playing a few games with him. The more active the games, the more kilojoules the two of you will burn, meaning that staying fit is child’s play.
Rules
Before participating in any games, both you and your dog need to understand that all games have rules that should be adhered to. Because pets don’t always understand the human rules, we have to teach them the rules.
Rule 1 – Humans control games and, therefore, you should start and end the game on your terms. You should initiate the game when you are ready. Set the tone of the game and if it gets too rough, end it.
Rule 2 – Play with durable toys and not human limbs – teach your pet that your limbs are off limits.
Rule 3 – The toy belongs to the human. At the end of a game, put the toy away – offer your dog a treat in exchange for the toy and when he drops it, say a word like ‘drop’. He will eventually respond appropriately to this command.
Always end the game on a positive note. This way your dog will look forward to your next play session. Remember that your dog will not always be in the mood to play, especially if he is tired. Respect that and don’t force him into a game when he doesn’t feel like it.
Playing fetch
Not all dogs instantaneously grasp the game of fetch. Your dog might look at you as if he’s wondering why you just threw the ball. But once he understands the game, he might not want you to stop.
Ensure that the ball or toy is big enough so that he can’t swallow it.
Step 1 – Introduce the ball or toy to your pet in the garden. Most pets instinctively know that they should retrieve the ball if you start throwing it. You might have to coax him and run after the ball a few times to show him what to do.
Step 2 – Once he retrieves the ball, call him to bring it back to the spot where you are standing. Encourage him to ‘drop’ the ball – you can swop it for a treat or even another ball. Every time that he brings the ball back to you and drops it, praise and reward him. This makes the game more fun!
You can play this game outdoors or indoors, provided that the room is uncluttered. Puppies and children can play the game too.
Hide-and-seek
This game might take a while for your dog to understand, but it will benefit him, as it will teach him to stay close to you when walking off the lead. You can play the game indoors or outdoors.
Step 1 – You might need another person to hold your dog while you hide without him spotting your hiding place. If your dog is trained, ask him to ‘stay’ and then leave the room or area.
Step 2 – Once you are settled in your hiding place, call your dog’s name. You can encourage him at first by calling him more than once. A dog knows his owner’s voice and scent better than anyone else’s, and it will be a challenging game for him. You can make the game increasingly more intricate by hiding in harder-to-reach places.
Step 3 – When he finds you, reward and praise him for his good searching skills. That will encourage him to continue the game.
Tug-of-war
Who doesn’t love a good game of tug-of-war? The idea that tug-of-war causes aggression comes from the outdated, incorrect dominance-based theory of ‘don’t let your dog win’. Tug-of-war does not cause aggression.
Step 1 – Choose one toy, and only bring it out when it is time to play tug-of-war.
Step 2 – Ensure that the toy is strong enough – preferably use a toy made for this game. Multi-coloured, plaited ropes, in a size that suits your dog’s breed, are ideal.
Step 3 – Allow your dog to hold onto the toy before you start the game.
The game is over when it becomes too rough! The last thing you want is your dog damaging his teeth or gums. Bleeding gums are a sure sign that the game has gone too far.
Frisbee
This is not an easy game and takes some practice, but once you’ve mastered it, you’ll be the envy of the park.
Step 1 – Play with the frisbee in the house by yourself while your dog is watching you, and then put it away. Don’t let him play with it just yet.
Step 2 – After a while, take out the frisbee and play with it again, while your dog watches you. Don’t give it to him. Repeat these two steps until your dog can’t wait to play with the frisbee himself.
Step 3 – Allow him to play with the frisbee, with you supervising him. Don’t allow him to chew it.
Step 4 – Start rolling the frisbee on the floor. Ask him to fetch and return it. If he brings it back consistently, you’re ready for the next step.
Step 5 – Stand close to your dog with the frisbee in your hand. Flip the frisbee in the air while he watches you. Allow him to catch it and give it to you.
Step 6 – Praise him every time he brings the frisbee back to you, and keep the game fun and energetic.
Step 7 – When he continuously catches the frisbee at close range, increase the distance gradually.
Remember, both of you have to keep on practising, and make sure that he gets enough water to drink in between. Lots of praise and a treat or two should keep the motivation going.
