Game Time: Five Fun Indoor Games For Dogs
Rain or shine, our dogs need to be exercised. The unpredictable weather here in Singapore has probably interfered with your dog’s daily walk regime before, leaving you frustrated. Here are five different indoor games that you can play with your dog to keep them occupied.
1. Where’s The Treat?
What you’ll need:
* Three or four opaque cups
* Your pup’s favourite treat
What you’ll need to do:
* Ensure that your pooch sees that you have a treat in your hand.
* Get your pup to be in a ‘sit’ or ‘stay’ position, and slowly back away from him.
* Make sure that he sees you place the treat underneath one cup.
* Call him towards you so that he will instinctively try to find the treat.
* Give him lots of praise when he finds the correct cup, and then lift it up so he can claim his reward.
* Increase the levels of difficulty by moving the cups around.
2. Hide & Seek
What you’ll need:
* A creative mind to find new places to hide at!
What you’ll need to do:
* Have your pup stay in one room while you look for a place to hide.
* Call your pooch.
* Wait. Try not to giggle or laugh, it’ll only give away your position!
3. Tug Of War
What you’ll need:
* A toy that’s long enough for you and your pup to hold onto one end each.
What you’ll need to do:
* Before attempting to play this game, ensure that your pooch is good with the ‘drop it’ or ‘leave it’ command. This is to make sure that you’re in control of the game and that your pup does not turn aggressive.
* Lightly tug at your end of the toy to stimulate your pooch.
* Let your pup “win” by releasing your end of the toy. Sometimes, he may even let you “win” by releasing his end of the toy!
* If your pup gets extra rowdy or starts trying to bite you, it’s time to end the game.
4. Name That Toy
What you’ll need:
* A few of your pup’s toys that are noticeably different (e.g a ball, a stuffed animal, a rope)
What you’ll need to do:
* Start with one specific toy and start using a name for it (like “ball”, or “elephant”); pooches tend to place a 'value' on their toys.
* Repeat the name of the toy while you’re playing with it, so that your pup will start to pick up on the name you're using.
* Repeat again and again, and be consistent with your naming.
* After practising with a few different toys, you can layout the different toys on the floor and get your pup to pick up the right one.
5. Blow Bubbles
What you’ll need:
* Non-toxic bubbles (bubbles that are safe for children are safe for pets too!)
What you’ll need to do:
* Blow the bubbles and watch your pup go crazy over them!
*This article was updated on 1 Sept 2020. It first appeared in PetsMagazine.com.sg on 13 Sept 2016.
