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There are many ways we can enjoy the time we have with
our canine companions. Games and training exercises are one way which
are not only lots of fun for both the dogs and the people involved but
are also educational, challenging, and rewarding on many levels. Listed
here are a few ideas for fun things you and your kids can do to play,
train, and build strong, lasting relationships with your dog. Keep
posted to this site as we will be displaying many more games and
training techniques as well as new and informative write ups in future
articles. Your thoughts or topic requests are always welcome.
FUN STUFF
Listed here are a few ideas for fun things you and your kids can do to
play, train, and build strong, lasting relationships with your dog.
FETCH:
Fetch is a great way to spend quality time with your canine companion.
It not only helps to develop a bond between dog and the handler but its
great exercise too. Where kids are handling the dog, they become a
source of fun and positive interactions with the dog. This also
encourages the dog to be responsive and enthusiastic partner with both
children and
adults. The dog should be taught good manners for fetch games (ie: they
should not jump up or grab for the ball, stick, or toy). Children
especially need to make sure that the dog abides by the "game rules".
Game rules include achieving desired behavior such as "sit" or "down"
before the ball or toy is thrown. Equally important is that the dog
returns the toy to the handler and releases it with relative ease when
asked to "give".
HIDE-AND-SEEK:
Hide and seek is a great family game, but seems especially popular with
the kids. This can prove to be rewarding on many levels. First and
foremost the dog is being exercised both physically and mentally. Second
you are teaching the dog potentially lifesaving search techniques. If
you child or family member should happen to go missing you can tell the
dog
to "find him".
First start easy, the dog needs to win this game in the early stages in
order to help him understand and develop a desire to play. Have your
child (say the child’s name is "Bobby" ) go to another room of the house
while you hold the dogs collar (to keep him with you). As you release
his collar say "find Bobby", and have Bobby call the dog’s name from the
other room. When the dog finds the child lavish him with good dog treats
and lots of praise (Bobby should have loaded his pockets before the
start of the game), you can also incorporate clicker training into these
fun training sessions. As the dog improves his searching techniques have
Bobby hide in more difficult places. Once the dog is routinely finding
Bobby with a normal recall voice go back to the easy hiding places (such
as just in the other room) and have Bobby call in an increasingly softer
voice as the dog improves. Of course you are still saying "find Bobby"
each time you release the dog to find him. Eventually the dog will
search out Bobby without requiring a recall at all.
Once this level is achieved you are ready to move the
game outside. Remember to start easy (ie: Bobby hiding behind a near by
tree), there are more distractions outside and many other things to
explore. Just like the indoor training use a recall and gradually fade
it out as the dog’s skills improve. This is also true of the hiding
places you can gradually increase the level of difficulty as the dog’s
searching skills improve. This is a great game, it’s lots of fun for
everyone and is very rewarding… Enjoy!
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Stalworth Kennels
