Most dogs do not receive adequate training, and simply learn to live according to the rules imposed on them at home: some homes are more strict and disciplined, while others are more permissive, which can have a negative impact on their behavior, since He will learn that it is okay to take license with people and with other dogs that, when they get big, can cause problems Aggressive dogs.
To avoid this, you just need to educate your dog correctly from the beginning, and the best way to do it is through games, since this way both you and him will have a good time and you will create a much closer bond that will allow the learning phase It is also a phase of enjoyment and friendship. Take a look at these 5 games to train your dog and try them as soon as you have a chance.
Hide and seek, a game also suitable for dogs
You’ve probably seen it on social media and wondered if it’s a good idea. Well, the truth is that yes, it seems that playing hide and seek with puppies develops their search skills and allows them to play and entertain themselves while they exercise, sharpen their senses and learn to obey your call.
Obviously, the game is not the same as with humans, since dogs do not understand the rules, nor will they look for you unless they want something from you. Therefore, to play this game, you first have to hide and then call your dog so that he can look for you.
The movement of their tail will be instantaneous as soon as they see that you are not there, which is a good sign that they love this game. Your pet will have to sharpen her sense of smell and hearing to be able to find you, and if she succeeds, you can give her a reward so that she relates this feeling of obedience to something good.
Find the prize without seeing it
The second of the canine education games that we are going to talk about today is finding the prize hidden in a hand.
Many people find it surprising that dogs are able to understand the rules of the game so quickly, but the truth is that these intelligent animals understand us much better than we think.
Of course, puppies will have a little more trouble, but they will quickly understand and want to play with you. The operation is very simple: choose one of his favorite dog treats, and after showing it to him, hide it in one of your hands behind your back, without him seeing you, and show him your closed fists face down.
This game allows the dog to use its sense of smell to detect where the treat is. If you are just starting out, you can allow him to simply point with his snout, but the ideal is for him to learn to put his paw on top of the hand that has the treat, thus also learning the discipline and order that comes with shaking hands.
The call, a classic training game
The call game is undoubtedly one of the favorites for a dog trainer who intends to start disciplining a dog.
Although they are not aware, obeying a call order puts them in a position of submission, where they are the ones who must come to you, and not the other way around. This way, it will be much easier for them to follow the rest of your orders, in addition to being able to keep them under control when they are far away and you cannot physically discipline them.
The game is very simple, and can be done as a family. In a park or open area, each person stands at one end and one of the group calls the dog. When he goes to one of his owners, another calls him, and so you vary so that your pet learns to come when called.
Remember that this game cannot last long, because the dog gets tired easily, and every so often you should give him a reward to keep him interested.
A set of glasses to improve your dog’s mind
Very similar to the game of finding the prize in your hands, you can also play a shell game and hide the prize under an opaque glass, for example, plastic.
At first you should show your pet the dog treat that you are going to hide, and then place it under one of the three glasses. The most difficult thing at first is to teach him that he should wait, but this way he will also be able to practice his patience and reduce his anxiety.
Once you have the prize under one of the glasses you can start mixing them. Your dog will not take his eyes off the cup with the treat, but you should do it slowly at first so he can concentrate and discover the correct cup. Over time you can increase the difficulty to improve his cognitive abilities.
Outdoor games
In general, what dogs like most is playing outdoors. Pulling on a rope with knots or using a dog chew can activate their hunting instincts and make them work harder, which is good for exercising their muscles and improving their cardiovascular fitness.
In addition, playing outside allows them to breathe fresh air, learn to be in contact with other people and other dogs, run freely and avoid anxiety problems, which also affect pets in many cases. Without a doubt, outdoor games, such as frisbee or ball throwing, are the most recommended for dog training, especially in puppies, since they allow for the generation of a bond of friendship and obedience that is not achieved with other techniques.
If you have a dog and want to train it, it is best to spend more time with it and look for a professional dog trainer.