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Puppies
Puppies and Kids - Fun & Games For All
Here are a few fun learning games that both kids and dogs will love!
(From Sarah's upcoming book!)
Doing the 'Squeak Toy Shuffle'
- One person, one dog
- Good for pups under 12 weeks
- This one encourages following skills and can be played inside or out.
- A great diversion for ankle happy nippers!
Step One: Tie a squeak or rope toy onto a 4' leash or line.
Step Two: Attach the other end to your shoe lace or ankle.
Step Three: Walk around, doing whatever you do! Puppies love to wrestle moving objects- better the toy than you!
Treat Cup Name Game
(Encourages positive association to come while teaching name identification)
Number of Participants: Start with 2, then you can add more
Age of Dog: Any age dog can play!
- Fill 1/3 of a plastic cup with cheerios or crumbled dog biscuits.
- Shake it until your dog associates the sound with a reward.
- Stand 6 feet from a friend.
- Using the other person's name (e.g. John) tell your dog to "Find John!" as you point to him.
- When John hears his name he should shake the cup and call out your dog's name.
- Once at John's side, John can send the dog back to you.
- As your dog gets better, increase your distance, eventually moving to different rooms and playing outside.
Avoid correcting your dog if she looses interest. Limiting game time insures fun.
Hide and Seek
- One or more persons with a dog older than 14 weeks
- You can play it as an off-shoot of the Name Game or just use your dog's name to encourage the find!
Step One: Leave your dog with one person (if playing alone)or sitting quietly in a room
Step Two: Hide. Start easy…
Step Three: Shake your treat cup as you call out your dog's name.
Step Four: Praise wildly as your dog gets warmer; quiet down when she's off in the wrong direction.
Sarah Says: Good finding skills leads to good walking and coming skills.
If it takes your dog more than 30 seconds to find you, you're hiding too well. Quick and easy finds builds a dog's determination.
Soda Bottle Soccer
- Play with any number of people and a dog of any age.
- Get several plastic bottles, removing the cap and label. Place a few on the floor.
- Let your dog check them out. When he's comfortable, start kicking!
- This game encourages your dog to follow you and fetch.
Rule One: It's soccer- play with your feet, not your hands.
Rule Two: Always kick the bottle your dog's not chasing.
Rule Three: No matter how many bottles there are, your dog will want the one you've got. Kick it to him only if he standing calmly. Then go off and play with another. And so on, and so on, and so on…
Avoid challenging your dog for one bottle; it encourages confrontational play.
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