Puppy activities are a fun way to wear out your newly adopted pet while also teaching them the skills they'll need to grow up to be socialised, obedient, and kind adult canines.
While puppies sleep for the majority of their days, they can have a lot of energy when they wake up, and puppy activities can help them channel that energy. Here we will list of 5 games for puppies to play with.
Adult dog games might be too demanding for puppies, and they frequently require command skills that puppies lack. Puppy games, on the other hand, assist your young puppy to learn new things while also exhausting them and allowing them to remain quiet, relaxed, and well-behaved for the rest of the day.
It's critical not to overexert your puppy while playing games with them, since this might result in damage and undermine your training. Play sessions should last no more than a 15 minutes and should come to an end before your puppy becomes bored and uninterested. Keep them entertained and learning, and they'll be happy and eager to play again and again in the future.
Continue reading to learn about five games for puppies to play.
Tug-of-war
It’s a good idea to start educating your puppy on what’s acceptable to chew on now. Tug-of-war is a natural pastime for most dogs, so you shouldn’t have any problem getting started.
Make sure you’re using a toy that’s only for tug-of-war. Do not use socks or other items that may cause your dog to become confused about what they can and cannot play with. If your dog tries to pick up something that isn’t a toy, the game should be stopped right away so that they understand that this isn’t okay.
This is also an excellent way to introduce your puppy to the commands "Drop it" and "Leave it". Wait for the toy to fall out of their hands on its own. Be patient as this will take some time. Reward them with a goodie once they’ve completed the task.
Start connecting the instructions to the behaviour after they understand that dumping the toy earns them a treat. It’s unlikely that your puppy will learn everything in one sitting, and it may take some time, but it's good mental and physical activity that will help him burn off some puppy energy.
If you keep these sessions going for too long, your puppy will become bored and forget whatevery they’ve learnt.
Hide and Seek
Playing hide and seek with other people, toys, or rewards may be a lot of fun. One person should hold your pet while you go and hide. Then, as soon as your dog is free, shout their name. See if they can track you down. You may use this game to teach your puppy how to respond to the word "Come," as well as their own name.
You may also instruct your dog to "find it" by hiding his or her toys or goodies. This will help them become accustomed to nose work while also providing mental stimulation. This will undoubtedly exhaust them and allow them to snooze more easily.
Fetch
Fetch is a popular dog activity, but with pups, you'll need to take it a little easier. To begin with, choose a tiny, soft toy that they can pick up and carry. Start with small distances, and you may need to walk beside your puppy to teach them that if they don't do it on their own, they should sprint after the toy.
Encourage them to come back to you with enthusiasm and plenty of sweets and prizes for a job well done. Another game where you may practise the command "Drop it" is this one.
Learn Names
You may play this puppy game with your friends or family even. Have everyone sit in a circle with your dog in the centre, and then call out the name of someone who is currently seated. At first, have that person call out to your dog and praise him for approaching.
Eventually, you'll be able to pronounce names without anybody calling them out. It will take some time, but your dog will eventually begin to recognise the names of everyone in the group. You may start doing this with plush animals or toys to offer your dog some brain stimulation.
Obstacles and Agility
Agility courses are designed for older dogs, but your puppy will enjoy the opportunity to gallop about and learn new abilities. Just remember to begin with modest challenges. If you want your dog to be able to ultimately leap hurdles, start by having them walk over a tiny object and rewarding them for doing so. Climb a step, go up and down a short ramp, crawl under tables, weave around furniture, or simply follow your lead.
All of these exercises will help your puppy learn the fundamentals, increase the intensity of your obstacles and agility exercises as your dog grows, and your dog will ultimately be ready to compete or just have a fun, lifetime talent that will help them burn off energy and relax.
What additional puppy games would you recommend? When your dog was younger, did they have a favourite puppy game? Please let us know in the comments section below!