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Dog - Play With Your Food!

Dog - Play With Your Food!
Tips for having fun together with your four-legged friend
By Anne Davis, Certified Dog Trainer

Our dogs thrive on attention and rewards. And what better reward is there than having fun together? There are so many advantages to playing games with dogs, and the games don’t have to be complicated
or time consuming. In fact, many activities can be played inside with
minimal effort.
We often use playtime as a reward for listening. Our pups, Rudy, Cooper, and Missie, love to play Find It, which is mentally stimulating and can be physically challenging. Here’s how it works: I ask them to go to their beds while I’m in the kitchen chopping up carrots. Then I hide the carrots all over the house: behind a door, under a box, or even in
plain sight. I sit down and talk with them for a few moments and then, all of a sudden, I say “Find it!”—and they are off searching. Rudy, our 12-year-old Lab, can usually only handle one game of Find It before he needs a rest. Of course, this game can only be played with multiple dogs if they are not food aggressive. A word of caution: do not play Find It in
the kitchen or dining area as it can lead to counter-surfing.
Another activity that takes very little space is the Cup Game, where a treat is hidden under one of three (or more) cups. The game can be used as a reward for sit, down, stay, or any command and can easily be played inside or out. You can set the cups upright or on their sides. Make it easy at first for your dog to find treats, and as your dog is successful, add the
challenge of covering the treat.
Additional cups may be added and used to form a pattern, such as a circle, a square, or several rows. Help your dog if he finds the treat but has trouble turning over the cup. Remember, it’s all about having fun.
Muffin Ball makes a great use for your old muffin tins. In the photo above, Millie is busy trying to decide if there is a treat under that tennis ball marked with the “X.” If your dog is cautious with new items, introduce only the muffin tin at first. Sprinkle a few tiny treats on it and allow him to get comfortable with this new object. When you feel that it’s going well, let
him see a treat in one space and then cover it with a ball. Gradually add another ball and continue until the tin is full.
For more fun, increase your dog’s level of excitement by having him wait in another room while you set up the game. Playing is his reward for coming into the room when called. This separation from both the game and you will help to build self-control. To keep it fun and minimize stress, be quick with the out of sight stays.
Almost anything can serve as a container for these games, but it’s better to avoid food items like Tupperware products, which may lead to curiosity about your dinner. Playing with your dog for a little while before you need some quiet
time or perhaps before a guest arrives will help him to be more relaxed. It also reinforces the idea that good things happen when he listens to you. Besides, it’s fun for us too! ND
Anne Davis is the owner of Rudy’s Friends, www.RudysFriendsDog
Training.com, 703.395.9450. For information about private training and

Dog - Play With Your Food!

Dog - Play With Your Food!

Dog - Play With Your Food!
Tips for having fun together with your four-legged friend
By Anne Davis, Certified Dog Trainer

Our dogs thrive on attention and rewards. And what better reward is there than having fun together? There are so many advantages to playing games with dogs, and the games don’t have to be complicated
or time consuming. In fact, many activities can be played inside with
minimal effort.
We often use playtime as a reward for listening. Our pups, Rudy, Cooper, and Missie, love to play Find It, which is mentally stimulating and can be physically challenging. Here’s how it works: I ask them to go to their beds while I’m in the kitchen chopping up carrots. Then I hide the carrots all over the house: behind a door, under a box, or even in
plain sight. I sit down and talk with them for a few moments and then, all of a sudden, I say “Find it!”—and they are off searching. Rudy, our 12-year-old Lab, can usually only handle one game of Find It before he needs a rest. Of course, this game can only be played with multiple dogs if they are not food aggressive. A word of caution: do not play Find It in
the kitchen or dining area as it can lead to counter-surfing.
Another activity that takes very little space is the Cup Game, where a treat is hidden under one of three (or more) cups. The game can be used as a reward for sit, down, stay, or any command and can easily be played inside or out. You can set the cups upright or on their sides. Make it easy at first for your dog to find treats, and as your dog is successful, add the
challenge of covering the treat.
Additional cups may be added and used to form a pattern, such as a circle, a square, or several rows. Help your dog if he finds the treat but has trouble turning over the cup. Remember, it’s all about having fun.
Muffin Ball makes a great use for your old muffin tins. In the photo above, Millie is busy trying to decide if there is a treat under that tennis ball marked with the “X.” If your dog is cautious with new items, introduce only the muffin tin at first. Sprinkle a few tiny treats on it and allow him to get comfortable with this new object. When you feel that it’s going well, let
him see a treat in one space and then cover it with a ball. Gradually add another ball and continue until the tin is full.
For more fun, increase your dog’s level of excitement by having him wait in another room while you set up the game. Playing is his reward for coming into the room when called. This separation from both the game and you will help to build self-control. To keep it fun and minimize stress, be quick with the out of sight stays.
Almost anything can serve as a container for these games, but it’s better to avoid food items like Tupperware products, which may lead to curiosity about your dinner. Playing with your dog for a little while before you need some quiet
time or perhaps before a guest arrives will help him to be more relaxed. It also reinforces the idea that good things happen when he listens to you. Besides, it’s fun for us too! ND
Anne Davis is the owner of Rudy’s Friends, www.RudysFriendsDog
Training.com, 703.395.9450. For information about private training and
Dog - Play With Your Food!

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