3 Easy Types of Games to Play With Your Dog

By DogLovely Team

Playing with your dog on daily basis is of fundamental importance for your relationship with it in terms of building trust and spending some quality bonding time together. Not only that, but it’s also essential for exercising it on a physical and mental level.

You don’t need to go to the park in order to play with your canine pal. In fact, the two of you can play even in the pool or within the borders of your home. Here are the top 5 games to play with your dog, regardless of where you are.

Chasing games

Chasing games can be carried out anywhere. If you’re living in a smaller house or apartment, move some things around to make enough room for your pup to move freely and start playing. You can either chase each other all over the place, or you can use toys for that purpose.

Footballs, volleyballs, Frisbee disks, tennis balls, and remote controlled toys are ideal for this type of game. Of course, you can also play water volleyball in the pool or even use the rotating sprinklers in your yard (if you don’t have sprinklers, just substitute them with a plain water hose). Another option is to use bubble wands to make soapy bubbles, which dogs adore chasing around.

The important thing to remember is that the idea behind these games isn’t for your dog to bring you whatever it’s chasing down. After all, you’re playing chasing games with your dog, not fetch.

Fetch

Speaking of fetch, this particular game can also be played both indoors and outdoors on a hard terrain, as well as in a swimming pool or in the ocean. When it comes to fetch, it’s a top choice for pet parents from all over the world and it’s without a doubt one of your best options for fun games to play with your dog.

You can opt for Frisbees, sticks and branches, chewable toys, stuffed animals, tennis balls, ropes and basically anything else, which the doggie can pick up with its teeth and bring back to you. Playing fetch is one of the easiest ways to make sure your canine pal is well-exercised and entertained on daily basis.

Tug-of-war

Tug-of-war, or simply Tug, is undeniably a fun game for both smaller and larger dog breeds. Your canine companion won’t mind playing this awesome game out in the open or inside your home.

Playing tug teaches the dog discipline and manners. During the game your puppy must always know that you’re the one in control and that if it starts acting improperly and dominantly, you’ll end the game immediately. Tug-of-war stimulates the dog on a physical and mental basis while also contributing social interaction. Ropes are the ideal toy for this particular game.

Hide-and-seek

You probably never thought about it, but you can play hide-and-seek with your dog. You can either hide from your pet (make it go looking for you), or you can hide treats and make it discover them. Another version of this game can be carried out by using special dog toys with hollow centers for hiding treats. Use several of those, but leave some of them empty, otherwise it will be too easy.

You can also play the Shell game by hiding one treat under one cup from a row of many cups and then making your canine pal find the tasty reward. Of course, you don’t have to use cups ? simply hide the treat in one of your fists and then make the dog guess in which one it is.

Dance-off

The dance-off game is pretty simple, yet it’s tons of fun. It basically consists of the idea that both you and your dog need to perform the same moves, whether it’s something as simple as walking in a circle or rolling over, or some other more complicated moves. The dance-off game is just a more interactive, entertaining version of having your canine pal perform tricks alone.

All of these fun games to play with your dog can be carried out inside your home or out in the open while you’re taking it for a walk. They are not only entertaining, but also offer a bit of a boost on a mental level for your canine pal, while keeping its muscles well-exercised in the same time. Regardless of your pet’s age, breed, gender and size, try to make time for daily play sessions.

Even senior canines, which are well advanced in years, need to have some fun from time to time. Are you ready to play? What is your favorite game? Leave a comment to share with us.

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