Looking for some easy ways to keep your dog busy and entertained?

Playing games with your dog is a great way to keep active, have fun and chase away boredom. In addition, playing with a dog is fun for both you and, of course, your dog.

Are you out of ideas? Do not worry. We have prepared 10 fun games for you to play with your dog.

Benefits of a working dog

If a dog is bored and unemployed, it can quickly find an activity for itself, such as biting shoes, chewing on various objects, barking, etc. As a result, this behavior often leads to bad mood.

So, to avoid such behavior as much as possible, it is necessary to realize that you are the main source of entertainment for your furry friend. If your dog is bored and idle, it can quickly get into 'trouble'. And that's exactly why if your dog happens to bite, bark, etc. too much. consider how you can engage him and discourage him from this kind of behavior.

Find games that are fun for both you and your dog and play with them or keep them busy several times a day. This will not only make your dog happier, but also strengthen the bond between you and your furry friend.

Bonding with your dog through fun games

There are many fun activities you can do with your dogs to train them. Through games, you can train self-control, recall and much more… Depending on the game you choose. And that's precisely why, if there is a behavior that you would especially like your dog to master, choose a game that will strengthen that behavior.

And don't be afraid to indulge your furry friend in a game such as tug-of-war. Research has shown that beating your dog during play does not reinforce his sense of dominance. And that's why, regardless of who wins or loses, the goal of the game should be bonding and quality socializing.

Games are the most interesting and fun for your dog. So, be creative and incorporate play into your daily routine. It can be during a walk, at home in the yard or in the apartment. Don't limit yourself too much, rather have fun and enjoy yourself with your furry friend.

1. Tug of war

Tug of war is often one of our dogs' favorite games. This game is a great way to mentally and physically exercise your dog. In addition, it does not require much space, so this game can be played anywhere.

If you happen to be afraid that your dog will become aggressive because of this game, don't worry. This game will not make your dog aggressive, nor will he feel dominant if he beats you. On the contrary, if you let your dog beat you during the game, the game will be even more interesting and fun for him. It has even been found that dogs that pull the rope with their owner are more obedient and have greater trust.

The only thing to remember about this game is that the game should stop if your dog's tooth touches your hand. Some dogs are more combative than others and that's why in the trance of the game it can quickly come to that. But by stopping the game at this moment, your dog will pay more attention to it.

2. Bubble chasing

One of the super fun games you can play with your dog is the bubble chase game.

If your dog doesn't know how to catch bubbles, or if he doesn't know exactly what to do, start by blowing a few at a time. Point them at the dog and encourage him to chase. Catch them yourself to show your dog. The point of the game is to cut them in half before they touch the ground.

You can use children's bubbles for this game (but they also make bubbles specifically for dogs). Bubbles are not poisonous to dogs, but they can irritate their stomach if they eat too much. After the game is over, don't forget to wipe your furry friend's eyes because this liquid can irritate them.

3. Hunt for treats

If your dog is one of those who prefer treats such as the ball player will surely be impressed by this game. Treat hunting is a mentally stimulating game and a fun way to allow our dogs to use their natural sense of smell.

The game is very simple. All you need is some treats, you can also, for example, pieces of carrot and distribute them around the apartment while your dog waits in his area. After you have placed the treats, give the dog a command such as "seek" or "find the treats" and encourage him to find all the treats. If he can't do it, help him. Remember to praise him every time he finds a treat.

Once your dog understands what your command "find the treats" means, you can slowly start increasing the difficulty of the hiding places.

4. Hide and seek

Hide and seek is a very fun game for dogs and people, but through this game your dog also acquires a great skill. Imagine you are on a hike and your dog gets lost. It's unpleasant just to think about it, but if you've often played hide-and-seek before, you've trained your dog to stay calm in such a situation and use his canine senses to find you.

Start by hiding in the next room and calling your furry friend. When he finds you, reward him with a treat and praise. Once you get the hang of it, gradually increase the difficulty. Continue to hide more and more and your dog has to search the whole house to find you. But when he conquers that too, you can do the same outdoors. Hide somewhere close at first, then increase the difficulty. Have someone else distract your dog while you hide. Call him when you are hidden and give him a reward whenever he finds you.

Once your pet gets the idea of ​​the game, make the hiding places more difficult and involve the whole family so that your dog can find each one.

5. My shadow

For most dog owners, one of the main goals is to be able to walk the dog freely without a leash in the dog park or on the lawn. This is a great goal, but the most important thing is to win the recall. So, recall is one of the most important commands your dog will learn. The key to reliable recall, however, is in the foundation you build with your dog. Like any building that has a bad foundation, it is not very reliable and can collapse at any time. The game "my shadow" is great for building a strong foundation for recall and also walking alongside the leg.

Start at home in a quiet environment with your dog on a leash. Prepare some treats for the reward and start walking around in any direction. Every time the dog catches up to you, give him a cookie. If your dog overtakes you, gently turn 180 degrees and place the treat on the floor. While your dog is nibbling on the treat, take a few steps forward, but be prepared for him to catch up with you again and give him the treat. Go forward, back (the dog is coming towards you), sideways, fast, slow, stop, run, walk, over rocks or whatever you can think of. The aim of the game is for your dog to follow you everywhere like a shadow, but not to pull you.

After a few weeks of this training, try the dog in the park (preferably empty) and see if you can keep the dog relatively close to you and if it comes back to you.

6. Water games

If you have a beach, lake or river nearby and your dog loves water, he will surely be delighted by a game that includes bathing and swimming. Go to the water and take some toys with you (don't forget to check if they float) and throw them in the water to your pet and he will bring them back to you.

If your dog isn't a great swimmer or if you don't have a beach nearby, you can play water games right in your backyard. Take a plastic kiddie pool and fill it with water. Many dogs love to splash around and enjoy their own paddling pool. Throw another toy into the pool and the fun for your furry friend will be guaranteed.

Another game you can play in your backyard that involves water is the garden hose game. Many dogs are excited about the jet. You spray the jet and direct it here and there, and your dog will enjoy chasing the water.

7. Choose a hand

If you've been thinking about playing a game with your dog that involves smell, this game is a great place to start. All you'll need are some treats. Instead of regular treats, you can also use chopped fruits and vegetables or prepare homemade treats for dogs.

How to play the pick a hand game:

1. Take a treat in one hand.
2. Clench your fists and hold them in front of your dog.
3. Have the dog choose which hand has the treat.
4. When your dog points to the correct hand with a snort or a paw, open it and give them a treat.
5. If he makes a wrong decision, let him try again.

Tip: A sliced ​​carrot is a great treat for nose job games. They are low in calories, easy to prepare and (most) dogs love them.

8. Buy, make or trade a new dog toy

Studies have shown that dogs get tired of their old toys. You can buy a new toy for the dog, or "rotate" the toys or exchange them for e.g. every month. So instead of giving your dog access to all of his toys all the time, give him just a few and put the rest away. After a certain time, make available to him the toys that you had put away and put away those that he had at his disposal. Rotate it like this every now and then, and the old toys will become more interesting to him again.

But if you think that your dog is not interested in toys, play with them and they will find this toy much more exciting and interesting. When you play with it, the toys take on a whole new value for the dog.

But if you want to make your own toy for your furry friend at home, there are tons of toy ideas online that you can make from household items like old t-shirts, towels, and jeans.

9. Three pots

Three pots game is a simple problem solving game for dogs. To play a game of three pots with your dog, let your dog watch you as you place a treat under one of the three pots. Then mix the pots and encourage them to "find the treat." Playing with three pots gives your dog a lot of mental stimulation and helps him solve problems.

10. Obstacle course (domestic agility)

Another fun game for dogs is to create your own obstacle course. It's a fun way to teach your dog some new tricks, and it's also a great source of mental and physical stimulation for your dog.

Create your own obstacle course in your home. Have the dog jump over some towels, jump through a ring, get through some toys and do a turn and then lie down on the blanket. Use your imagination and think of a range of obstacles that your dog will consider. Teach him new tricks and reward him in the process. This will keep your dog mentally stimulated and more focused.