Training takes weeks, but play is the fastest way to get a puppy to listen.
Most adult dog problems start when an owner fails to bond with a new pup during those first few months.
Instead of watching your furniture get chewed to pieces, use these five games to beat boredom.
You’ll see your dog 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. Avoid soft plush toys because he will rip one open in seconds and swallow the stuffing. You want to avoid an emergency vet visit.
- Keep it short – A young pup has a short attention span. Limit the game to a few minutes so he stays excited instead of getting bored.
- Move backward to help – Most pups won’t bring a toy back naturally. When he picks it up, call his name and step back. This encourages him to run toward you instead of away with the prize.
- 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 for this game! Puppies need soft, thick 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 immediately – that’s his best reward.
Let him win sometimes. If you never let him “capture the prey,” the pup will get frustrated or lose interest entirely. The goal is for him to build confidence, not for you to prove you are stronger.
If he accidentally nips your hand in the heat of the moment, 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 dog to come when called. Instead of just calling his name, let the pup use his nose to track you down.
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 immediately. Call his name once and wait. The pup will start looking for you right away.
As soon as he finds your spot, make a big deal out of it. Give him a treat and plenty of praise.
Music
This is a fun way to get the pup used to loud noises while you both goof around. 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 a “treat rain” is coming. If he stops and looks unsure, just ease up and let him come to you. He takes his cues from you, so if you’re having a blast, he will too.
A couple of songs is plenty. Once the pup is jumping around and ignoring the noise, you’ve won. [2]
Guess which Hand is Hiding the Treat?
This is the easiest way to get the pup 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 it 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 sleep! 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,” but I do it 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. Watching them use their noses to track me down is the best part.
These pups are a huge joy, and I really love every second of our time together.
Thanks for reading! If you have any questions, just drop them in the comments below.
