Playing with your dog is an exciting way to keep him happy, entertained and in good health – not to mention you get to have some fun too! Dogs who have mental stimulation and exercise have better manners, fewer behavior issues and fewer health problems.

Benefits of play

• Strengthens the bond with your dog. Social activities and play encourage communication between you and your dog, creating loyalty.
• Keeps the dog from getting bored. Dogs need mental and physical stimulation. Play gives them the chance to use some of their instinctive behaviors, such as hunting, searching, running and jumping.
• Prevents destructive behavior. If a dog has structured play and regular game times, he is less likely to rummage through the garbage or dig up the lawn.
• Keeps the dog healthy. Play that includes running, chasing, swimming and jumping keeps your dog lean and builds muscle, preventing obesity and diabetes.
• Helps train the dog. Using play with rewards and treats is a great way to encourage good behavior and train him to obey.

Playing with your pooch should always be a positive experience for both of you. Dogs of all breeds can play, but some are fonder of water, some like to crouch and dig and some excel at jumping and crawling through hoops. Discover what you and your dog are good at.

Some popular games to play with dogs

Fetch – Fetch is the tried-and-true game for dogs who naturally like to chase objects and often bring their “catches” back to their owners as a prize. Make sure the stick, ball or toy thrown is not too big or too small for your size of dog because dogs can choke on small objects. Remember that the optimum game of fetch requires that the dog bring the toy back to you and let go of it, so you can enjoy continuous rounds of fetch.

Hide-and-Seek – Hide-and-seek encourages her hunting instinct. Have her sit and stay in a neutral spot in the house or the yard, then hide yourself. Call out to her so she can search for you. This game can also train your dog to stay even after you walk away and to come when she’s called.

Find-the-Treat – Have the dog start in a stay position, and let him see you hide a treat or a toy in a container, a box or behind something. Then let him run to it and find it. Vary the game by hiding treats in other rooms or using more difficult containers to open.

Tug of war – Use a rope dog toy, not clothing or a towel, and gently play tug of war. As the game may invoke the dog’s hunting instinct with captured prey, be mindful of when the dog becomes too aggressive. Simply drop the rope and encourage the dog to drop his end too by rewarding him with a treat.

Swimming – Some breeds of dogs love to dive off docks, fetch balls thrown in the water (don’t throw too far out!) and play with you when you swim. Supervise your dog when he’s in the water.

Hoops, Frisbee and Soccer – For the more athletic dog, games of skill with a ball or Frisbee require training and practice. Play basketball with a laundry basket, Frisbee in the park, jump through a Hula-Hoop or push a soccer ball into a goal.

When playing with your dog, make sure you are the one in control. Dogs may become overexcited, become overheated or try to dominate the games. Make sure you guide the play so that it is entertaining and constructive, not destructive. If you put toys back in the cupboard after play, they will be fresh and seem new the next time they are taken out.