Training takes weeks, but play is the fastest way to get a puppy to listen.
Most adult dog problems show up when an owner fails to bond with the puppy early on.
Instead of watching your furniture get chewed to pieces, use these five games to beat boredom.
You’ll see your puppy looking to you for cues and following commands while having fun.
Fetch and Find
Playing fetch is one of the best ways to bond. Puppies usually love this game, but if you’ve never played it before, use these steps to get started:
- Choose a durable toy – Use a solid rubber ball or a thick cotton rope, but avoid soft plush toys because he will rip them open and swallow the stuffing, which leads to a vet visit.
- Keep it short – A young pup loses interest fast, so keep playtime to a few minutes so he stays excited.
- Move backward to help – Most pups won’t bring a toy back, so when he picks it up, call his name and step back to encourage him to run toward you.
- Praise the return – Make a big deal when the toy is dropped at your feet. This teaches him that bringing the object back is the best part of the game.
Note: Running is good, but too much of it on hard ground is dangerous (pup’s joints and bones). Keep playtime under 10 minutes.
Tug of War
Tug of war is a great way for puppies to burn off energy, but your hand must stay low, close to the floor. While you wrestle over the toy, move the cotton rope from side to side. Don’t lift the toy high because a puppy’s neck is still weak.
Avoid using rubber frisbees or hard plastic toys for this game! Puppies need soft cotton ropes that are easy on gums during teething.
Use this time to teach him the “drop it” command. Every few minutes, stop pulling and offer a treat. As soon as he lets go of the rope, praise him and start the game again – that’s his best reward.
Let him win sometimes. If you never let him “capture the prey,” the pup just gives up or lose interest. The goal is for him to build confidence, not for you to prove you are stronger.
If he accidentally nips your hand, drop everything and walk out of the room for a minute. The puppy will quickly learn that rough play means the fun is over. [1]
Hide and Seek
Hide and seek is the best way to get your puppy to come when called. Instead of just calling his name, let the pup use his nose to track you.
Start by having someone hold the puppy in one room while you sneak away. If you’re alone, wait until he’s busy with the toy.
Pick a spot behind a door or a sofa where he can’t see you. Call his name once and wait. The pup will start looking for you right away.
As soon as he finds your spot, give him a treat and praise.
Music
This is a simple way to get the puppy used to loud noises while you play together. Turn on some music (nothing too crazy at first) and start playing with his favorite toy.
Dance around and toss a few treats on the floor whenever the song gets a bit louder. The puppy will soon think that noise means food is coming.
If he stops and looks unsure, slow down and let him come to you.
A couple of songs is enough. Once the pup is jumping around and ignoring the noise, you’ve won. [2]
Guess Which Hand is Hiding the Treat?
This is and easiest way to get the puppy to use his nose. Hide a treat in one hand, close both fists, and hold them out. Let the puppy sniff both hands until he figures out where it’s hidden.
As soon as he bumps or paws the right hand, open it and let him have the reward. If he picks the empty one, show him where the treat was but don’t let him have it (just try again).
After a few rounds, start moving your hands behind your back to switch things up and make the game harder.
4 Things You Didn’t Know about Puppies:
- Puppies are born deaf and blind.
- Their eyes and ears open around two weeks old.
- By eight to twelve weeks old, they are ready to leave the mother and go to a new home.
- Puppies need a lot of rest! They can sleep up to 18 hours a day.
Playing with My Sarplaninac Puppies
Sarplaninac dogs are stubborn and puppies are no different – they dictate the rules of the game.
I tried “fetch and find” with them, but it’s a waste of time. They don’t bring anything back – they just want to rip the toy to shreds or drag it off to some corner to hide it.
My favorite is “hide and seek,” outside. I sneak away to a spot where I can watch them without being seen. Then I give a quick whistle to call them over.
These pups are a huge joy, and I really love every second of our time together.
