Are you looking for fun and easy games to keep your dog entertained? Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Maybe they are on restricted exercise because of an operation, medical condition or a bitch in season, or you could need the rest. Or do you need to keep them entertained while watching the match or a film?
Also in hot weather when we know we shouldn’t be walking our dogs, please don’t take the risk see the signs of heatstroke and advice from the PDSA here, and play a game instead.
Toilet roll and egg box games
There are lots of games you can play by hiding treats in objects like toilet rolls and egg boxes. Obviously, if you are happy for your dog to rip them up, they do make a bit of a mess but easy to clean up and allows your dog to have some fun.
Pop some treats in an empty toilet roll inner, fold the ends over and away they go, this can be made into a harder or scent game by including some rolls with no treats in and see if your dog can pick the ones with the treats in.
Treasure Hunt
A treasure hunt can be a great game to play inside or out. Hide treats or their favourite toy under cushions, blankets, plastic plant pots, cones, and more!
This can be an inside game or played in the shade.
Let your imagination run wild, this is a great game when your dog is on restricted exercise because of an operation, medical condition or a bitch in season.
Licking Activites
Licking is a great calming activity that can keep your dog entertained and interested.
Use any dog-safe food, like their meat, mashed fruit and veg like bananas, sweet potatoes, etc, see some ideas of what to use here
You can use items like kongs, lickimats, etc or why not use a plastic plate or wooden board?
Make them last longer by freezing first, this is also a lovely cooling treat when it is warm outside.
Snuffle mat/box
A snuffle mat is a mat made from fabric or felt, they are ready to buy in many pet stores and online or why not make your own?
Mats can get a bit slobbery and need washing so why not use a box? Put some dog-safe wood wool or shredded paper in and scatter some treats in for a cheap and easy game, that can be recycled after use. The boxes we send our orders out in are fab to use for this game.
It’s easy to make your own and a nice project for you and/or the kids, try this easy tutorial from the humane society.
Puzzle Games
Does your dog like a puzzle game? There are lots to choose from now, with varying levels of difficulty.
There is a huge variety available from Nina Ottosson.
Longer-lasting chews
And of course, longer-lasting chews can be a great activity and calming exercise for your dogs.
We at Friends and Canines have chews available for all sizes of dogs and puppies.
Our favourites for puppies are duck necks and fish twirls. Try the beef sticks or cows ears for small and medium dogs. And what about the beef muscle and venison legs for larger dogs or bigger chewers?
Many chews can be moistened and frozen to make a cooling chew, or things like tracheas, hooves and ears can be stuffed with food, fruit and veg (see some ideas here of what to use) or just water.
If you would like to learn more games I highly recommend the book by Niki French of PupTalk – Stop Walking Your Dog, it actually doesn’t mean never walk your dog but gives you great ideas for all situations for any reason why you couldn’t walk your dog or be on restricted walks including tips for nervous dogs, puppies and more.
I would love to hear any fun and easy games to keep your dog entertained, drop them in the comments below.
And I would love to see your pics and videos email me at [email protected] or text/WhatsApp me on 07825513611
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