GAMES

Tug of War
Retrieve Games
Games With Other Dogs

Games Playing games is a great way to relieve physical stress while strengthening the bond between you and your dog. You will not be able to take your dog's training to its highest potential unless your dog would rather play with you than do anything else. It's that simple. (If your dog only plays with other dogs he will learn that other dogs are more fun to be with than you are.) Games are that powerful! Dogs learn a great deal about themselves and their pack as they play. Whenever you play with your dog you are providing information to him in his language. This is the same information he got from his littermates and now receives when he plays with other dogs.

During a game, the dog learns who is the strongest, weakest, smartest, slowest and quickest, etc. This is valuable information for a dog to have, it communicates to him his place in the pack. Because these messages are so strong, many books will tell you not to play some games, such as tug. That is because sending the dog the wrong information can be detrimental to your relationship.

Using the following "rules" while playing will communicate to your dog that you are the leader and that you are the wisest, strongest, and most entertaining companion he has. All games are played on leash or long line until total control is established.

TUG OF WAR - The rules to this game are particularly important. Tug is a game of possession and strength. It is best not to play tug at all - unless you carefully follow these guidelines. Pick up any toys that you use to play with the dog. These toys would be considered high value items to the dog because the pack leader has taken an interest in them. Only the pack leader (YOU) own high value items. These types of toys do not belong to the dog, they are kept in a drawer or on a shelf. Chew type toys are low value items, the pack leader would not choose to interact with them. These toys belong to the dog and the dog should have always have access to them.

Rules for tug games: · Only YOU, the pack leader, would start and end a game. · Have a word or sound that initiates the game. (Pssst, "Get it",or "growling" sounds entice the dog to play). · Teach the dog to release the toy on command (see below). The dog must respond immediately and not re-grip the toy until you restart the game with your "start the game" word/sound. · Always end the tug game while your dog is still keen to play. Put the toy away on a shelf or in a drawer and let your dog see you do it. · Remember, the smartest, strongest member of the pack ends up with the toy or "prize".

Teaching "leave it" or "Release": Teach this while the dog is tugging - Do not tell the dog to release the toy. Instead, put a treat on his nose and as he takes the treat he will drop the toy. now say "leave it" or "release" as the dog takes the treat. Praise him. Getting the dog to re-grip the toy may take some patience as he may be too distracted by the treats. Just prove to him he will not get the treat until he re-grips the toy again. Do 3-5 exchanges per tug session only using the command as the dog opens his mouth for the treat. After a few sessions the dog will anticipate the reward and begin to release the toy faster and faster. At this point go to using the food only 50% of the time, then decrease the food gradually. The first time your dog does not immediately release the toy on command pinch his lips around his jaw (teeth) to open his mouth. Praise him when he lets go and invite him to re-join the game.

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RETRIEVE GAMES - Fetch is a great opportunity for your dog to exercise his natural desire to chase and capture. Better to afford him an allowable avenue to satisfy this desire than to risk his own decisions on what to chase. (He may decide to chase skate boarders and bicycles instead of a ball.) A dog that loves to run away with the ball and "tease" you with it is having fun while testing you. If you chase after the dog, grabbing with your hands while commanding or pleading with your voice, you are advertising that you have lost control. Instead, play on a long line. Gently guide the dog to you. Praise as he comes to you with the ball. He will drop the ball when he sees that sometimes you have a treat and that sometimes you have a second ball to exchange for the ball he has. When the game is perfected you can stop using the line. Should the dog revert back to his "old ways" remember DO NOT engage in his style of game. Turn your back to him and begin to have a wonderful time with the second ball by yourself. Throw it up and catch it and laugh out loud. When your dog runs up to investigate praise him and re-invite him to play. If he steals the ball again you have not worked enough using the long line. Wrestle Games - Many people love to get down on the floor and wrestle with their dogs. I do not recommend doing this with any dog currently working on overcoming a dominance problem in the family. Wrestling games should be initiated BY THE PERSON, not the dog. Invite the dog to play when he is minding his own business NOT when he decides it is time for you to play with him. Stop the game while the dog is still keen to play using a command like "that's enough". If the dog does not stop interacting, take hold of his collar firmly and make him stop. CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 12 YEARS OLD should never wrestle with the dog and other members of the family should be strict about when the games ends.

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GAMES WITH OTHER DOGS - Dogs need to interact with other dogs to develop social skills within their species. Short (ten minute) sessions, 3-5 times a week are sufficient to serve this purpose. Many people have discovered dog parks to be an easy way to exercise their dogs. Be very selective in choosing who your dog plays with at the park. Choose small groups of nice playing dogs. One on one is best. Look for dogs that wrestle and tumble in an easy way. Avoid dogs that enjoy hard body slamming (can cause physical injury) and seem to enjoy repeated hostile pinning. Running playfully back and forth between tumbles can be fun for the dogs. If it turns into a full-out chase (with or without biting), remove your dog from the group and invite him to play with you in another area of the park. In group play, as the game escalates, if your dog begins to look threatened or worried, remove your dog. (To let it continue could force your dog into a defensive reaction, a skill you will prefer he NOT learn.) Stay upbeat and unconcerned as you calmly remove him from the game and go to where you can have your own game with him.

While many dogs and owners love to go the dog parks, there are some things to take into consideration before you decide how much time you want to spend there. Do you want your dog to be more interested and bonded to you and your family or the "pack" in the park? Do you like how your dog acts at the park? Do you like what your dog is learning at the park? Remember recess at school? Good and bad things were learned there.

Remember, when playing, your dog is also learning lessons of who is strongest, smartest, quickest, etc. As pack leader you are responsible for your dog's safety as well as the messages he receives in his world. I encourage you to play games with your dog as often as you can. If your dog doesn't know how to play, call your instructor. Even adult dogs can be taught how to reap the rewards of playing games with their owners.

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