Fetch getting a little boring? With all due respect to the time-honored game, there are many other ways to play with your dog.
Whether you’re looking to bond with your four-legged friend, burn some calories or sneak a little training into playtime, here are five new ways to have fun with your pooch, indoors or out:
Try Tug Games
Tug games require two participants, making them a fun, engaging way to bond with your dog. “If you drop your end of the object, the game ends, so it makes your participation even more valuable to your dog,” says Michelle Stern, a dog behavior consultant and trainer at Pooch Parenting.
Try a variety of tugging toys, from ropes to plastic loops to long squeaky toys.
Use Treat Dispensing Toys
Interactive dog toys such as puzzle toys and puzzle feeders are a great way to stimulate your dog’s brain, reduce boredom and increase focus.
“Even dogs who receive significant physical exercise each day are sometimes lacking in mental stimulation,” says Liz Claflin, a professional dog trainer and director of operations at Zoom Room. “Puzzle toys provide ‘brain strain’ and encourage a dog to think and problem-solve.”
Play Nosework Games
Nosework games are those in which dogs use their incredible sense of smell to earn a reward. These exercises can include identifying the source of a unique odor, finding a lost object or even something as simple as sniffing out kibbles that have been scattered in the grass.
For an easy nosework game, put three open boxes on the floor and place a fragrant treat inside one. “Tell your dog to ‘go sniff,’ and when she finds the box with the treat, she can eat it,” Stern says. “You can gradually increase the difficulty by partially closing the boxes or by rearranging them.”
Nosework games are perfect for rainy days, when it's difficult to burn off energy outside. Additionally, they can help to build up a dog’s confidence. “It’s an ideal game to play with dogs who may be fearful,” says Stern.
Build an Agility Course
Agility is one of the best ways to play with your dog, as it stimulates the body and mind.
“Because it’s done as a team, it also fosters a deep bond,” says Claflin. “An agility course is not a playground for a dog where they pick and choose which obstacles to do. Instead, the owner uses hand signals and body language to instruct a dog how to run a course and in what order.”
You can get started with a pre-made agility kit, or build your own using weave poles, tunnels and DIY materials from the hardware store.
Dogs of all breeds can learn to enjoy agility if taught properly and using equipment that’s appropriate for their size and ability.
“The key is to be sure a dog is never forced to do a piece of equipment; they must learn to love the equipment, not fear it,” says Claflin. “Done that way, agility provides a great physical and mental workout, fosters bonding and encourages obedience.”
Teach Your Dog Tricks
Learning new tricks can be a great way to play with your dog. “Not only are tricks fun, they also enhance your communication with your dog,” says Stern. “You learn to understand each other's cues more clearly and to interact in ways that are more creative.”
While tricks are fun to learn at home, out in the real world, they can serve as an excellent distraction if your dog is reactive to other dogs, sounds or moving objects. “Instead of allowing the dog to focus on what makes him uncomfortable, you can move away into the zone where he can focus on you and do tricks,” says Stern. “This gives the dog the opportunity to do something he is familiar with and can be successful at.”