Dogs are pack animals, and they love to be included in
everything that’s going on. Especially during the
puppy years, canines love to play and romp around. You’ll
certainly be his (or her) friend forever if you routinely
get out there and play tag or throw the dog toys around.
Giving him exercise and helping him feel loved and accepted
is a wonderful way to treat your pet! Just make sure to
always be gentle, kind, and firm. If you are too rough (this
especially happens with young children who don’t realize
it) the dog can learn to be aggressive and defensive. You
want your dog to trust you at all times, so treat him with
care and respect, and teach your children how to do the
same.
Here are some great ways for both you and your dog to enjoy
play time!
· Hide and Seek. This is a fun activity to help
your dog learn the "sit" and "stay"
commands. After you have your dog in a sitting position,
tell him to stay, repeating the command if necessary as
you slowly walk away. Quickly find a hiding spot, then call
your dog to you, and you'll soon be found! Act very excited
when he finds you, and even slip him a treat now and then
to keep him interested. This is a fun game for kids to play
with their dogs.
· Hiking or running. Your dog enjoys the fresh outdoors
and invigorating exercise just as much as you and your family.
Great family activites can now incorporate your energetic
canine. Begin with small walks or jogs around the neighborhood,
and build up to longer excursions.
· Parks. In many areas, there are special "doggy
plaground" parks that are specifically maintained for
neighborhood dogs to get together and play, under the supervision
of their owners.
· Dog walks. This is a great way to have fun with
your dog and meet other people with similar interests. Some
dog walks are meant to be social groups, and others are
fundraisers. Either way, it's great to take a stroll with
other dog owners and chat about your canines.
· Set up a doggy obstacle course. You can either
play follow the leader and run through the course yourself,
allowing your dog to follow and learn, or you can train
the dog to hop through it using treats.
· Try a dog camp. You can find one that is geared
toward fun and games, and getting to know more about activities
to do with your dog and other dogs. Or there are dog camps
which help you train and learn new skills for competitive
dog sports. Check out which ones sound most interesting
to you by searching online for "dog camps."
· Swim at the beach! Whether it's a lakefront or
ocean beach, most dogs will love to splash out into the
waves, either fetching sticks or just doggy-paddling around.
If your dog isn't too large, call him out when you are wading
shoulder deep. Some dogs will like climbing onto your shoulders
for a ride as you walk around. Just be careful of the claws!
