Games to play with your dog

Playing together with your beloved dog can help you strengthen the bond between you two, can be an occasion to teach your dog something new or a way to actively spend the free time. The playtime can be accompanied by yours dog's favorite snacks or toys, which can make the playtime even more interesting. Our handmade toys made of organic cotton yarn definitely encourage to have fun together. Check out our ideas for games to play with your dog.

Play hide and seek with your dog

Teaching your dog to look for prizes using his/her nose is a great game for the body and mind, regardless of the age or breed of the dog. To play, just show your dog what it is you're going to hide e.g. his/her favorite toy, then encourage him/her to play with the "find it" command.

In this game a dog can even look for a hidden person! 

Play a game of fetch with your dog 

We can use any type of toy for this game, however it is important to choose the toy which will be suitable for the age and size of the dog and the size of his/her muzzle, so that he/she can easily grasp the toy. The first step will be to teach the dog to pick up the toy and to drop it, after that he/she can be taught to bring it from a greater distance on the command "fetch" or "bring it".

Our handmade dog toys are super soft, what make them the perfect toys to play with inside and outside.

Play a game of tug of war with your dog

Playing a game of tug of war is one of the best ways to engage in meaningful play with your dog. It’s a great way to mentally and physically exercise your dog. Tug of war is a great way to exercise your dog as long as you have your dog follow a the basic rules of tug such as ‘the game stops if your teeth touch my hand.’ During this game you can teach your dog commands like "give it back" or "leave it". Remember to always choose the toy which will suite your's dog size and strength. 

Teach your dog a new trick or practice the one he/she already knows

A favorite toy can also be a great reward when teaching your dog new tricks or practicing those he/she already knows. 

Teach your dog the names of his/her toys 

Learning through play. Start by playing with one specific toy and giving it a name while you do. After some practice your dog will assign that verbal name with the specific toy. Once your dog has learned that specific toys name you can test their skills by seeing if they can pick it out among their other toys.

Teach your dog to help you clean up his/her toys

If your dog’s toys are kept in a dog toys basket you can teach them/her to put their toys away. Teaching your dog new skills boosts their confidence, and it’s a great way to give them more mental stimulation. And it can be a lot of fun! 

If your dog already knows some names of his/her toys and the "pick up" and “drop it” commands have him/her pick up a toy and drop it once he/she is standing over the container. Praise him/her like crazy and repeat.

By playing with your dog a few times a day you can decrease the likelihood of them developing destructive habits such as excessive barking or chewing. It also helps the dog to properly target energy, stimulates mental effort and makes us more attractive in his/her eyes. It is extremely important to change the type of play from time to time and to adjust the degree of intensity to the age and needs of a dog. This will help prevent boredom or overloading of the dog.

Have fun!