Play Your Way to Success!

1 min 39 sec

Playing with your new dog is going to be a integral part of developing the bond that will last a lifetime.  Because playing is also a very natural part of puppy development, we use this opportunity to play games that will enhance our relationships.  By playing these games during our times of interaction, we develop a dependency for interaction, which leads to a more balanced relationship.  A few of the benefits of playing interactive games during your time spent with your puppy are:

1. Relationship development and enhancement

2. A efficient way to exercise your dog.

3. Integral aid in developing drive and focus in your dog

4. It keeps the dog engaged, instead of finding its own source of enjoyment(mischief)

We would like to provide you with a few sample games that you can play, while having interactive time with your new dog.

Follow the Leader

Follow the leader is exactly how it sounds.  Its a fun way to walk your new dog or puppy.  You will need a fairly large, open space, preferably outdoors.  If that is not possible, you can work within the house, leading from room to room.  By leading the dog around various locations, they in turn learn to follow.  A couple of the benefits to play follow the leader are:

1. Level of pack drive is enhanced to a great degree 

2. The dog learns to always look to you for guidance 

3. The dog get the experience of being off leash while dragging the line, paving the way for off leash work

1 min 48 sec

Food Following Games

Food following games are simple, fun, and a great way to spend time interaction with your new dog.  Some of the benefits of playing food following games are:

1. Development of balance and coordination

2. Desensitization of environmental obstacles and surfaces.

3. Development and channeling of food drive

4. Development of pack drive

 2 min 31 sec

Toy Hiding Games

If your dog likes to play tug-o-war, or fetch, hiding the toy is a great way to develop your dogs ability to use their nose, and have a ultra rewarding time doing so.  This game is equally as fun for both dog and handler.  A few of the benefits to playing toy hiding games are:

1. Enhancement of the dogs ability to use its nose in searching for items

2. Prolonged focus is often shown from search work

3. Exercises both body and mind of the dog

You always want to make sure you are using a toy of high value when playing this game.  It is a good idea to also use the same toy for the first few play sessions.  After, you can switch toys from session to session, never switching toys within the same training session.

You can also substitute food for a toy in the hiding games, if it does not conflict with further training goals.

 3 min 12 sec