Training Tips

Play with your Puppy…You’ll BOTH love it!

Written by Colleen on .

Do you play with your puppy often enough?

It's important to play with your puppy for the fun of it, but also to incorporate it into your dog training, too.

Your puppy probably says that there’s never enough play. In our busy schedules, is it hard to find time to play with your puppy? Do you only play one or two games with him? The last time you played, was it gentle play or running or too rough? Every dog has a different play style, so it takes time and observation to find out what play style your dog enjoys. Once you find it, have fun with her, AND you can use it while you train her. (Pssst…If you and your puppy aren’t seeing eye-to-eye, you might want to attend my next Good Puppy Skills class.)

Play is also a great way to get away from treats. Play is a wonderful reward for so may things.

Play is important because…

Puppies and older dogs need to enjoy themselves through a variety of experiences, including human and dog play. Lets move away from the same boring daily walks and add some play to pups routine! Play is relationship building. It also builds confidence, cooperation and motivation in unruly pups. Play can be gentle or active – depending on the dog.


Play with your puppy develops his brain

Puppy play is vital for puppy brain development as well as learning social skills. Play also:

  • Modifies genes (possibly 1/3 of them!)
  • Builds confidence
  • Forges relationships – be playful and your pup will want to be with you!
  • Reduces depression and fear

Play Makes Training FUN!

PLAY before, during and after training to keep things exciting:

  • Have pup SIT and then both of you run or jump – yipee!
  • Call Fido to Come here and play swishy with a toy on a rope.
  • When your dog does something good – make a turkey gobble sound!
  • Tell Poochie to “Find-It” and toss a handful of treats in the backyard. Find-it it together…

TWO TYPES OF PLAY:
Structured Play are fun games that follow rules. Games such as: Hide and seek, Fetch and Tug of War have their place – but…

Unstructured Play is where you and your dog get creative. Try a tickle here or a swish there and see what Bowzer does! Enjoy the give-and-take between you and your dog.

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT:

  • Keep it short
  • Keep it fun (for you AND pup!)
  • Stop if dog gets too wound up
  • Keep play gentle & discourage “Rough Play”

Now that’s not so hard, is it?

Dog Gone Fun! Ideas for Play

  • Silly sounds to pique your pups curiosity (kissy, cluck, whistles etc…)
  • Swishy movements with a furry squeaky toy on a rope
  • Tickle on the nose or belly with a feather
  • Play peek-a-boo
  • Lie on floor and make kissy sounds
  • Hide your face and call your dog
  • STOP if puppy or dog gets too rough or bitey 

Watch below how to play with puppy using squeaky toy on a rope!

The most effective puppy training is FUN! She’ll happily be obedient, because she enjoys it! Your puppy wants to know what you want and how to please you. So, I’m excited to say that you can now get in on the new puppy classes that I and my trainer colleague, Mariah, are offering this summer!   We’ve developed fresh games and obstacle courses that will speed up training and make it FUN!

Sign up on this page for Good Puppy Skills – click on the date you can attend our dog training classes here in Ashland, Oregon and let’s have some fun!

P.S. After you sign up, don’t forget to fill out the New Student Questionnaire.