Bringing a new puppy into your home is an exhilarating experience filled with moments of boundless joy and, occasionally, a bit of chaos. One of the most exciting aspects of this journey is watching your furry friend explore their world with curiosity and enthusiasm. Learn how to make playtime become a precious opportunity not only for bonding but also for teaching essential life skills. And don’t delay training a moment longer! Did you know you can begin as early as 8 weeks old?
Know Your Name
Goal: Teach your puppy his name for attention purposes. You want him to look at you and come running when you call his name. This is a foundation exercise for all family manners.
Step 1: Stand close to your puppy. When he is NOT looking at you, call your puppy’s name one time. If he looks at you, mark “Yes” (or click with a clicker) and give your puppy a treat. If he does not look at you, touch his nose with the treat and draw it up to your eye. When your eyes meet, say “yes” and give him the treat.
Step 2: Gradually stand farther from your puppy so he must come to you to get the treat. Work to across the room, then across the house.
Step 3: Practice outdoors on a short leash, then a long one.
Tip: Try not to call him more than once at a time, or he won’t learn to listen to you the first time.
Brain Games Goal: To stimulate your puppy mentally and help with brain development.
Step 1: You can purchase a variety of toys for this purpose or create your own. Get a muffin tin and 12 tennis balls. Hide treats in the muffin cups, then place the tennis balls over the treats.
Step 2: Encourage your dog to remove the tennis balls to get the treats.
Tip: Some dogs learn quickly, and some take longer. Be patient and cheer your puppy on for trying!
Sharing Is Caring Goal: Teach your puppy to share with you. This is also great for channeling puppy teeth onto a toy for snuggle time.
Step 1: Get a long chew bone, so you can be holding one end with plenty of room for your puppy to chew the other end.
Step 2: Encourage your puppy to chew on one end of the bone. Your puppy can be in your lap, next to you on the couch (if permitted) or anywhere that’s comfortable for you both. Praise her for chewing the bone. Tip: Try to choose a time when your puppy is not overly active. If she wants to run around, then she will probably not be in a mood to enjoy this game.
Chew on Toys and Not My Stuff Goal: Teach your puppy to make better choices with his teeth! Have a variety of hard plastic or rubber chew toys, plus food-stuffed toys. Avoid stuffed animals as they just teach your puppy to chew on soft things, like your clothing, pillows, etc. Do not use household items, such as water bottles or socks, for toys.
Step 1: Introduce your puppy to the toy. Show great interest in the toy to stimulate interest.
Step 2: Every time your puppy picks up the toy, praise!
Step 3: Rotate the toys daily to make them seem new. Do not leave a basket of toys out or your puppy will still grow bored with them.
Tip: Make sure your pup has toy options everywhere they are allowed to be, so they have a chance to make good choices.
Handling All Over Goal: Teach your puppy to enjoy being handled all over his body. This is a critical skill to help you take care of your puppy, as well as helpful to your veterinarian and groomer. For example, if your puppy needs eye drops or ear medicine, you want him to cooperate and enjoy his care, not avoid you or get aggressive.
Step 1: Have tasty treats set aside, within arm’s reach. Gently and briefly touch your puppy’s paw, mark “Yes,” let go and immediately give your puppy a treat. Repeat with the rest of his paws.
Step 2: Repeat the exercise with his ears, tail, neck, and teeth.
Step 3: Pick your puppy up, “Yes,” put him down and give him a treat.
Step 4: Gradually increase the duration of your handling, such as really examining a paw or looking carefully in his ears. Only go as fast as your puppy is enjoying the game.
Tip: If your puppy mouths you, turns his head to see what you’re doing, or licks you rapidly, he’s telling you he doesn’t like that body part touched. Make your next touch repetition briefer, even with just one finger, if necessary, until he relaxes.
Let’s make puppyhood an adventure to remember! Explore these engaging games with your pup, and let us guide you and your pup toward seamless and joyful experiences together. Connect with us today at (844) 739-0990 for more expert tips and tricks on raising a happy, healthy dog and to learn how to lead your pack! Click here to visit our YouTube channel now and subscribe for more fun and informative updates.
Reference: [https://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/5-games-play-your-puppy]
