Dogs need regular mental and physical stimulation – but did you know these things can be achieved by playing fun (and often super easy) games? To keep your furry friend happy and healthy throughout all the stages of his life, try out these eight fun games to play with your dog.

Set up an agility obstacle course

You don’t need fancy agility equipment or an elaborate neighborhood dog park to practice basic agility drills. Depending on your dog’s size and abilities, you’ll want to tailor the obstacles to meet their needs. Here are some common examples of agility obstacles you may see in a competition:

• Jumps (for going over or under)
• Ramps
• Weaving poles
• Tunnels
• Hoops

If you’re just doing agility for backyard fun, you only need to make sure your obstacles are safe and comfortable for your dog. To create jumps, simply prop a broomstick between two items to create an elevated surface. You can practice hoop jumping by simply holding a hula hoop by yourself, or by propping it up on a stable surface.

If you’re interested in learning more about dog agility or other training dog games, the American Kennel Club has a ton of resources (like this article here).

Play hide-and-seek

If you’re blessed with a breed with a good sniffer and ample space to play, hide and seek can be thrilling for both the seeker and the finder. At first, try hiding in easier locations, and make the game more challenging as your dog gets better at sniffing you out. This game may work best with another pair of hands, but if you’re alone, turn it into a treasure hunt instead! Hide their favorite treat while they’re not looking and see how long it takes them to find it. Just remember to help them out so you don’t end up with long-lost hotdogs beneath the bed.

Go fetch!

Even though it’s a classic game to play with your dogs, sometimes we forget about the easy things! If fetch doesn’t come naturally to your dog, that’s okay. Here are some simple steps to begin turning Fido into the retriever of your dreams:

The Basics

Supplies needed: ball, frisbee, or other fetchable item. If your dog doesn’t seem interested in anything tough on the teeth, try a stuffy or plush instead. And don’t forget the treats!

• Work on “hold”. Teach your dog that holding something in its mouth will result in a tasty food reward.
• Once your dog can successfully pick up and hold a toy on command, work on increasing the distance between the toy and your dog. Try changing up the type of toy as you practice (it’ll be a lot harder to chuck a stuffed animal across the yard than a frisbee).
• Remember to continue rewarding with treats as your dog is learning. Some dogs will pick up the game quickly, but others may take some time!

For a more detailed breakdown of these steps, check out this resource from the AKC.

Sniff out new sights on a scent walk

Walking is a great way for humans and dogs to get physical exercise (essential for good dog health care), but your dog can get so much more out of a leisurely stroll if he’s allowed to fully utilize his sniffer. The main idea behind a scent walk is pretty basic – take Fluffy for a regular walk around the block, but let her lead the way! She shouldn’t be pulling you off your feet, but give her some freedom to decide where her nose takes you.

Try taking your dog to new locations with new smells and sights, and see what they like to sniff the most! A scent walk often provides more mental stimulation than a routine exercise walk or potty break, and you may find your dog is tired out more quickly.  

Lottie loves to explore City Park with her rescued pooch, and he loves a good scent walk! In fact, Lottie dolls has partnered with Dogs Trust Ireland, Ireland’s largest dog welfare charity. This incredible organization delivers thousands of public education workshops, and rescues over one thousand dogs per year. 

$1 from every purchase of the Walk in the Park Lottie Doll will be donated to Dogs Trust Ireland to support the incredible care they provide to the hundreds of dogs and pups in their care. To learn more visit www.dogstrust.ie.

Introduce an interactive toy

If you’re out of fresh ideas for new games to play with your dogs, a new toy can always provide some fun afternoon entertainment. There are tons of styles on the market from dog puzzles, sniff mats, lick mats, intricate chew toys, and more. You can find interesting and unique toys for your pooch (and other pet essentials) at your local pet store, or head online and search for “interactive dog toys”.

Diy a backyard dig pit

If you’re blessed with a big backyard and a mind for DIY, you can build a sandbox just for your pooch to dig in to his heart’s content. Fill it with “buried treasure” and see how long it takes for your dog to dig up! You can build something sturdy and permanent, or just fill a kiddie pool with inexpensive bags of sand from the hardware store.

Just remember that taking the extra time to teach your dog when and where it’s appropriate to dig is also important. After all, you don’t want him digging up your neighbor’s flowerbeds!

Turn your pup into a pro with your local dog sporting group

Your local breed association or kennel club may have resources for connecting with other sporting dog owners. If you’ve got an active breed, check out flyball, agility, obedience, scent work, coursing, herding, or field events. There’s an organized activity for every breed, even the most mixed of mutts! Your dog will have a great time, and you’ll meet other sporting dog enthusiasts in your area.

Send them back to basic training

While basic obedience training may not sound like a fun game to you, your dog will get quite the thrill from learning a new trick or two. Plus, basic obedience training can help keep your pet safe during emergencies or outings in unfamiliar situations. Plus, it’s a super fun way to bond with your pet in a new way.

Here are some basic commands that every certified good pooch should know:

• Sit
• Down
• Stay
• Come (also their name)
• Leave it
• Watch me

Keep training sessions short, and make sure you’re both having fun for maximum benefits. If you need help teaching the basics, here are some resources to help.

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