In This Chapter
Remember
The games you play with your pup should encourage cooperation and focus.
Soda Bottle Soccer
Soda Bottle Soccer encourages
your puppy to follow you and to fetch.
Players: Any number of
people and a puppy of any age.
To play: Get several
plastic bottles (with the caps and labels removed). Place a few on the ground
or floor. Let your puppy check the bottles out. When she’s comfortable, start
kicking. No matter how many bottles are on the playing field, your puppy will
want the one you have. Kick it to her only if she’s standing calmly (to
discourage confrontational play, avoid challenging your puppy for one bottle).
Then go off and play with another and another and another, until you’ve
tuckered out your pup.
Rules: Play with your
feet, not your hands (it’s soccer, after all). Always kick the bottle your
puppy’s not chasing.
The Two-Toy Toss
The Two-Toy Toss helps your puppy
focus on what you have, not the other way around. It also reinforces the “Come”
and “Give” directions, as well as the grab-’n-show concept found in Chapter Dealing
with Daily Hassles.
Players: One puppy and one
person. This game is good for pups over 12 weeks. However, younger pups may
show interest for a couple of tosses.
To play: Gather two or
more toys or balls. Toss one toy, and when your puppy races to get it, cheer
her on. As she turns to you, say “Good puppy,” and then produce a different toy
and start playing with it. When she wants the toy you have (and she will), make
sure she sits politely before you toss it.
Rules: Never chase your
pup or wrestle a toy out of her mouth because these actions are puppylike and
will encourage confrontational play. You may exchange a toy for a treat by
exchanging another toy or popping a treat into your puppy’s mouth.
The Squeak Toy Shuffle
The Squeak Toy Shuffle encourages
following skills and can be played inside or out. This game is a great
diversion for ankle-happy nippers.
Players: One person with
one puppy. This game is good for pups under 12 weeks.
To play: Tie a squeak or
rope toy onto a 4-foot leash or line and attach the other end of the line to
your shoelace or ankle. Walk around, doing whatever you do. Puppies love to
wrestle moving objects: Better the toy than your ankle.
Rules: Don’t move too
quickly or snap the object out of your puppy’s mouth. If she starts to tug
assertively, either ignore her or remove the toy from your ankle and clip it
onto an immovable piece of furniture.
Fishing for Fido
Use Fishing for Fido to provide
an outlet for your puppy’s chasing instincts. Because this game can be used to
divert your puppy from attacking your legs, it’s great for morning foot traffic
and outside runs.
Players: Good for puppies
under 12 weeks and their people.
To play: Tie a squeak toy
onto a 2- to 5-foot string and attach the other end of the string to a rod
(anything can pass for a rod: a stick, an umbrella, and so on). By holding and
moving the rod, bounce the toy in front of your puppy.
Rules: Let your pup grab
the toy often to keep her interested. Avoid tug of war. If your puppy insists
on tugging, look away until she gets bored, and then resume the animation.
Tip
If your puppy insists on tugging, slather the opening of a 1⁄2-gallon jug (cap and label removed) with a creamy spread. Instead of tugging, she will tackle and lick the jug. This tip also works well for the upcoming Extended Rope Toss game.
The Extended Rope Toss
The Extended Rope Toss is a great
game for energy release. It also helps to relieve predatory energy (better to
chase a bottle in a field than a biker on a busy street).
Players: One person and
one puppy of any age.
To play: Tie an empty soda
bottle (cap and label removed) or your pup’s favorite toy onto a 20- to 30-foot
rope. In a yard or field, swing the object around so that your puppy chases it.
If the yard or field has tall grass, use it as cover to hide the object from
your puppy’s view — doing so will be much more exciting for her!
The Treat Cup Name Game
The Treat Cup Name Game
encourages positive association to the direction “Come” while teaching your
puppy name identification (her name and yours!).
Players: Start with two
people and eventually add more as your pup masters the game. Any age puppy can
play.
To play: Make a treat cup
as described in Chapter Using
Cool Tools and Groovy Gadgets. Shake the cup until your puppy associates the sound
with a reward. Stand 6 feet from a friend and, using the other person’s name
(John, for example), tell your puppy to “Find John!” as you point to John. When
John hears his name, he shakes the cup and calls out your puppy’s name. When
the puppy is at John’s side, John can send her back to you in the same way.
Rules: As your puppy gets
better, increase your distance, eventually moving to different rooms and
playing outside. Avoid correcting your puppy if she loses interest; limiting
game time ensures fun.
Tip
After your puppy catches on to this game, play hide-and-seek. Either alone or with a partner, hide in gradually more concealed spots and call to your puppy as you shake your treat cup. Play this one inside and outside to encourage your puppy’s focus — whether she can see you or not!
Give (Or Drop)
The goal here is to get an
automatic “spit out” reaction whenever you say the word “give.” Aside from
being a handy playing skill, it has safety features that can’t be argued
against. If your puppy has something you value in her mouth or an object that
might endanger her, “Give” covers all bases. After you make “Give” less of a
demand and more of a direction, your puppy will be eager to share her
treasures.
Players: “Give” can be
taught from the start, so it’s good for puppies of all ages.
To play: When your puppy
is chewing on something (whether appropriate or not), approach her with a treat
cup (or just a treat from your pocket) and say “Give” as you put the treat in
her mouth. If she’s chewing on a puppy toy, don’t take it away from her. After
you say “Give” and offer the treat, go away calmly.
Tip
If your puppy runs off with excitement, you can practice in a small bathroom to keep her confined. Or, leave a leash on her around the house to enable a calm catch.
Warning!
Rules: If your puppy is growling or clamping the object too tightly, call a professional. Aggression is no joke.
Take
If your puppy loves to carry
things in her mouth, you have all you need to teach Take.
Players: Practice this
game one on one with a puppy who’s at least 14 weeks old.
To play: Start with a toy
or ball and go into a small room or hallway. Wave the object in front of your
pup, tempting her for a few seconds before instructing “Take.” Cheer when she
takes the object, letting her hold onto it for varying amounts of time.
Encourage “Give” by using a treat or another toy if necessary.
Rules: Repeat this
sequence no more than three to five times. Always quit while you’re ahead.
The Four-Footed Fax
The Four-Footed Fax game
encourages interaction and responsibility.
Players: Two people (a
sender and a receiver) and a puppy who’s at least 6 months old. Make sure your
puppy has mastered the preceding three games.
To play: Ask your friend
(John, for example) to stand 10 feet across the room. Encourage your puppy to
“Take” a toy or other object (such as a folded newspaper) and send her to John,
saying “Take it to John!” Have John kneel down and call to your puppy. When
your puppy trots over, John rewards her with a treat.
Tip
If your puppy won’t carry the object all the way, have John stand right next to you and slowly inch back. With encouragement and love, your puppy will become everyone’s favorite fax machine.
Rules: Don’t discipline
your puppy if she won’t cooperate. This game takes a lot of concentration.
Wiggle Giggle Freeze
The Wiggle Giggle Freeze game is
a fun way to work on a challenging command such as “Sit,” “Wait,” or “Down.”
Players: Several people
and, of course, a pooch. Someone who has practiced training with the puppy is
chosen to give the directions. The puppy must be older than 12 weeks and must
have mastered the direction that’s introduced.
To play: Pick one
direction. Have everyone jump around and act goofy. Then suddenly have everyone
freeze on cue. The chosen director calls out a direction. Whoever is closest to
the puppy can position her calmly and then offer her a food reward or a hug.
Resume goofing off. Repeat this sequence no more than five times.
Rules: Don’t repeat your
direction. If your puppy doesn’t listen, help her into position before
releasing her toy or treat. She’ll catch on soon enough.
Sarah Hodgson
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