Playing with your dog is important. Dogs are similar to kids as they want attention and want to play! They crave attention and the one-on-one play time with their person.
When you think about playing with a dog, fetch often comes to mind. Our dog loves to play fetch with a ball or frisbee. But that isn't the only game we enjoy playing. Here are more fun ideas to get both your dog and kids spending time together.
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We have a Goldendoodle named Millie. And boy, does she love our attention and to play. She is such a smart girl and will do just about anything for a pat on the head, a belly rub or a treat. Read on for some fun ideas to get your dog active and playing.
Hide and Seek
One of the first games, we taught Millie was Hide and Seek. We wanted the dog to know the kids names and voices. It's also a great way to start teaching your dog commands such as 'stay'.
We put her in a down stay and the kids would go hide somewhere in the house. They would call her name, but only a couple of times, and she would run and find them. It is both hilarious and fun.
There are times I would be hiding and it was difficult not to let out a small giggle, as she stands nearby listening. Of course, this meant, she would quickly find me. Happily staring at me with her big dog smile and tail wagging.And when she finds us, we pet her, praise, and sometimes give her a treat.
My kids still love playing this game and have had some very creative hiding spots; under the bed, behind a door and my favorite hiding behind the shower curtain.
Tug-a-War
Another game we love to play is tug a war. She grabs a toy and we would pull the other side of the toy. And to be honest, I don't stand a chance as she is much stronger than I am. She enjoys it all the same. I know because she always brings her toys right over to me and when I try to take it, she pulls the other end.
Be sure to teach your dog the "drop it" command so when it's time to quit, you can get the item away from her.
Playing fetch
But my Goldendoodle's most favorite game to play is fetch. First, we tried fetch with our son's soccer balls, although with her teeth she has broken quite a few balls, much to the sadness of our kids. Same thing with a few different plastic flying discs. Fun at first, but, they never lasted with her large strong teeth and jaw.
We would keep buying her new toys to play fetch with and throw them away as she destroyed them. Sound familiar? We came across the FetchFlight made by ChuckIt! This disc was amazing! It quickly became her favorite. The FetchFlight looks like a flying disc, but soft on her gums. Also, with it's EZ grip design, she can easily pick it up and carry it back.
Be silly
My dog loves to run back and forth with me in the backyard. We'll say 'what's that?' and run in one direction in the backyard and she'll follow me. I'll say it again and we'll run in another direction. This usually ensues in her jumping for joy and barking. Other times, I put on music and I dance next to her and she tries to stand on her hind legs and "dance" with me. She knows we are playing and she loves it. Dogs love to hang out with us and listen when we talk. Often my youngest will lay on the floor with her and just talk.
Playing with your dog will keep you connected and strengthens the bond between you and your dog. My kids love playing fetch or hide and seek or just hanging out with their dog. I have a list of more fun dog dog accessories, camping games and more at my shop.
I've had my pup for 8 years and when she was younger she loved tug of war and she actually still has the rope that she had when she was 1 when I adopted her. As she's gotten older, she plays less and less and just enjoys long walks where she can sunbathe and smell things.
Great post! x
Michelle
dressingwithstyle-s.com
It makes me so happy to see such a loved dog 🐕 any excuse to bond with your pup = 🖤 LOVE THIS POST!
Tug and Fetch are two of my favorite ways to play with my dog! I also take her horseback riding with me to get her some extra exercise! But I love the idea of playing hide and seek! Definitely something I need to try!
Wow nice that you can take your dog while you go horseback riding - definitely good exercise. Hide and seek is a lot of fun!
Awe how fun! The fetch flight looks nice and durable. WE've got three furbabies at home who are addicted to their frisbees
I wish our little dog would play like this. Your dog looks so fun! She'll play a little bit in the house with us, but unfortunately, our yard is not fenced in and she's prone to running off.
Oh yes that would make it difficult. How about doing a run / lead from tree to tree?
Millie looks like she is having so much fun. My Buffy destroyed his plastic frisbee. These look more sturdy. Will have to check it out. Thanks for sharing.
Yes Millie usually destroys the plastic frisbees too! Chuckit! products have been very durable so far! We love them.
These are really good ideas. My labrador would particularly like the frisbee
Yes it really is a great product. I just have to show it to my dog now and she gets super excited to go outside to play.
Great post, thanks. One of our dogs goes entirely bonkers when he hears the squeaker inside a squeaker toy! He will chew and growl until he gets that thing destroyed into a million pieces! We call it his Psycho moment!
I am really feeling good to see this amazing dog. Moreover, tug and fetch are my favorite spot to play with my dog.
We love that frisbee! It is so easy to take with us and last twice or three times as long as a normal one.
That's one of our favorites too!
These are really nice ideas to play with the dog. My dog loves to play hide and seek.
Thank you - nice to hear I others play hide and seek with their dog!
wow! cool information, thanks! and pics are great 🙂
Thank you!