Puppy Games

1. Pass the Puppy

2. Hide and Seek

3. Dinner Surprise

4. Gentle Game

5. Relax Game

6. TV Treats

“Pass the Puppy”
Purpose of game: To teach puppy to allow examination, nail trimming, teeth brushing, and handling in general.

Sit on the floor with puppy on your lap. Rub your finger along his gums, under his lips, stick your fingers in his ears, one at a time and rub gently, pick up his paws one at a time, and gently squeeze each toe. Intersperse with lots of hugs and kisses.

If puppy gets over-excited and nips or growls- Say NO! in a loud clear, displeased voice.

If he still will not allow you to continue the game then he needs a time out in a quiet place, preferably his crate.

Variation: make faces with your puppy by lifting his lips into a smile or pushing his eyebrows forward into a bull dog. Make sure you are gentle with your puppy and you both have fun!

“Hide and Seek”
Purpose of game: To stimulate your puppy’s thinking ability and to have fun and bond more closely with your puppy.

You may play this game by hiding either his dinner or hiding yourself. At first you will have to make the hiding places VERY easy to find and help your puppy go find. For example, hide his dinner in a corner of the kitchen while someone holds your puppy by the collar. Then tell him a find command like “ Get it” and let go of his collar and go with him to his dinner. When he finds it, make a big fuss using words congratulating him on being so very smart. His dinner will be his reward. You can increase the level of difficulty to include other rooms or under a box, use your imagination and have fun! When you are the present, have someone hold your puppy by his collar and go hide around the corner or in another room. When you are ready, yell “ Get it !” and encourage him more as he gets closer. Reward with lots of hugs and kisses.

“Dinner Surprise”
Purpose of game: To teach puppy that it is OK, and even fun, to give up his possessions like toys, dinner, etc. This is especially important for girl puppies.

Start with a bowl of very boring dinner- straight dry kibble will do. It is always a good idea to have your puppy sit for his dinner, as a habit. Give him his dinner and let him have a few bites. Next give him a command to give up his possession like “ Release” or “Give it”. Then take his dinner and reward him for giving it willingly (as in no growling, etc) by verbal praise, a pat and add a VERY SPECIAL treat like liver, cheese, hot dog, etc. Place the treat on the dinner in his bowl. Give him back his dinner and let him finish.

" Gentle Game "
Purpose of game: To teach your puppy to be gentle with his mouth. The single most important thing a puppy needs to learn is not to bite. This game teaches him to relax his mouth and be gentle.

Using a command like “ Gentle” or “Nice” place your index finger (which is covered in ½ tsp of canned dog food, or peanut butter, or cheese whiz, or cream cheese) in his mouth and rub the roof of his mouth just behind his front teeth. Repeat every day and get the whole family to participate. It is especially important for the young people in the house because these are the people that tend to have the most problems communicating effectively with puppies.

" Relax Game "
Purpose of game: To help the puppy relax.

With the bowl of treats in sight but out of reach, hold onto your puppy’s collar with one hand and give the command to “Relax”. Then try manipulating his toes, his lips and gums and his ears. He will try to pull on the collar to get the treats. Wait until he relaxes, praise and reward with a treat.

" TV Treats "
This is an easy game to play and requires very little effort on your part. While watching TV, have a bowl of treats in your lap. DO NOT GIVE YOUR DOG A COMMAND but watch him closely for good behaviour. If he voluntarily goes to his bed or lies quietly at your feet praise him and throw him a treat. This is a form of shaping behaviour similar to how trainers train dolphins at Sea World. It can be very effective and is a very easy game to play.

Above all have fun with your puppy and enjoy all the love and affection they have to offer