Games you can play with your puppy to prevent boredom and stimulate your dog mentally

Playfulness in dogs is directly correlated to their willingness to be trained. They might be some truth in that. As more animated pups are interested in connecting with a person through play will demonstrate same interest when they are being trained. The puppy wants your recognition, so will be willing to work to get it.in simpler terms, a puppy engaging with you while playing will most likely grow up to be the dog who is more engaged during obedience class.

From back in the days of our ancestors when hunting and gathering were the in thing playing for both dogs and human was a part of social development. To raise a well-rounded dog we have to ensure adequate and healthy playtime occupies most of your puppy or dog time.

Parks are there for this and outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, road trips can come in handy. This can be a great time to play and bond with your puppy. Playing is important as it develops your puppy physically as it involves a lot of exercises. The game of fetch, the chuck it will ensure your dog runs a lot and exercises his legs and body muscles.

The chew toys will help your puppy with dental hygiene as the saliva cleanses its mouth and reduces bad breath. Playing will assist also in your dog grooming when it comes to its dental hygiene. It is very hard to clean your dogs’ teeth especially the stubborn dogs. Poor dental hygiene can cause bad breath, malnutrition, infection, and diseases for your dog and you do not want that. The chewing of the toys stimulates your dog saliva and help reduce plaque or its occurrence

It will develop social and mentally. When your dog is out at the park will meet other pets and dogs and interact while playing together. Playing is part of an exercise and helps your dog have a healthy weight and not become obese which is facilitated by playing with its toys. Feeding your dog and not letting it exercise will make it lazy and tired as it is not stimulated in the brain. The toys help in exercising and intellectual stimulation, even if your dog is the high energy dog it will relax.

Mentally the Kong classic toy can be filled with treats. Allow your dog to play with it, this will stimulate its brain as it tries to figure how to remove the treat by moving the toy around.

Games you can play with your puppy

Hide and seek

Dogs are from the wolf lineage. They are used to hunt and scavenge for things. Most dogs have a habit of digging which comes naturally. Hide and seek game can be fun and a good game to bond with your puppy. Your pup can be trained to sniff out objects and can help when need be or disasters like sniffing people out trapped in rubble in case of an earthquake or collapsing of a building or mine. To play the game move away from your puppy while looking over your shoulder calling her name.

Stop after a few yards, squat down to your knees and lift her up into a playful snuggle.

Do this severally but increase the distance and call her less until you no longer call her. Run and hide behind a bush out of your puppy sight. It can be a team effort if you are many in the house as you hide someone else can distract your puppy. Practice this when also indoor like when your puppy goes out to pee, hide and call its name wait and see if she can find using cues based on smell and sense to find you. As time goes by introduce your puppy favourite toy and make the game fun. Hide and when your puppy finds you hand it the toy as a reward.

Bubble blowing

I still see children playing the same game. The same game can entertain your dog. You blow a few bubbles using a bubble stick and let your dog pop at the bubbles with its nose. My Kiki loves jumping around running after the bubbles and popping them .it is so much fun.it can be a good outdoor game as the wind will help blow the bubbles away as your dog chases them in the yard. If you are playing indoors be cautious to wipe the soapy residue on the floor to avoid anyone slipping and falling.

Game of fetch

This game is good for outdoor activities. You do not want your puppy breaking things in the house. Have a toy, for instance, west paw toy featured in our favourite toy article, to toss or your dog to fetch. This I use mostly at the park, even a bone toy can do. Check our favourite toys that are ideal for this game. The jumping around and running help strengthen your dog’s muscle and joints. Start by throwing the toy and tell your dog to fetch and bring to you. To keep the game nice and fun keep throwing the toy. To keep the game nice and fun keep throwing the toy further away and allow your puppy to fetch this will be very good exercise and when your puppy comes back with it tap and massage its head to let it know you appreciate its effort.

Massage and snuggle

Every pet loves its owners’ touch. This is a good indoor game. Massage its feet, brush your dog coat and spend quality time with your puppy. It can help you eliminate your pet problems of grooming in case you find ticks, red patches on its skin or any lump that would require a vet visit.

Treat games

The Kong classic toy can be used for this game. Hide treats inside and let your dog turn the toy around until a treat falls out. You can mix several toys as your dog watches and let it get the correct toy with the treat. This game helps your dog mental development.

I hope these simple games can help you play with your puppy with ease and enjoy your new companion. Toys are a great way to encourage bonding in multiple dog households, get several for your puppy and make playing fun.