One of the best things about being a puppy parent is being able to play with them! While we can’t spend every waking moment playing with our pups, those times when we can will often be the highlight of our day.
As well as being so much fun, playing with the best puppy toys has all sorts of benefits for growing dogs, giving them lots of physical and mental stimulation. But how can you ensure your pup gets the most out of play? The experts at Happy Dogs Training, led by founder and owner Piper M Novick, have offered three all-important tips in a new Instagram post.
1. Let your puppy win: “By letting your puppy win, they will be more motivated to continue playing with you,” they explain. It’s sometimes thought that letting your puppy win is letting them dominate you, but this school of thinking is pretty outdated if you want to learn how to play with a puppy.
Rather, it helps build a rapport between the two of you and teaches them that engaging in play with you is fun and rewarding – what could be more ideal?
2. Use a verbal and physical cue: When you invite your puppy to play tug, you’re giving them autonomy. They have the freedom to opt into the game in the first place, and decide when the game is over.
Cues can help them learn rules and boundaries, too. Show your dog the toy and use a cue. Let them play with the toy – maybe a game of tug – and give them another cue before you drop it. When they have the toy, get them to drop or exchange it by showing them another toy. Before you let them play with the original toy again, ask them to ‘sit’ or go ‘down’, only breaking their position when you say the cue word again.
3. Switch toys: “Toy switching teaches your puppy to alternate between reinforcers, and will be an invaluable skill in the future,” the trainers explain. Dogs often play ‘keep away’, which can occur when we try to grab the toy, and the dog runs away. The dog will often come to enjoy this game, but it’s not as fun for us!
Toy switching allows you to get the toy back, but will keep things fun for your pup, too, so you’ll both be happy.
The trainers also offer a bonus tip, recommending that we take turns with our pups if we have more than one, or it’s a doggy play date. “Start teaching your puppy early that they can relax and wait while you work with another dog,” they say.
For more play inspiration, why not check out these eight great games for puppies that will keep them entertained for hours?
