Playing with your dog is essential! Not only do dogs enjoy games, but playing games also provides them with mentally and physically stimulating activities. It also helps them to strengthen their relationships with their owners and other dogs in the house. Playing games can also help show your dog behaviours and strategies they need in their day-to-day lives.

There are lots of things you can do to encourage your dog to play and to reduce the chance of your dog becoming bored. Training in its various forms at home and during walks, including teaching your dog tricks, will provide the mental stimulation they need. Dog training classes can be beneficial, and many dogs get a lot of mental stimulation from doing physical activities, such as agility. Whatever dog games you do, the important things are that it’s fun and that your dog enjoys it.

Playing Safely

Always ensure that any games for your dog, toys or treats are age and size appropriate. Older dogs may require softer toys and larger dogs may need larger toys. For example, a ball that’s the perfect size for a Yorkie could be a choking hazard for a Labrador!

A tennis ball may be the perfect toy for some dogs, but if your dog chews it and swallows any pieces, they could end up at the vets. Many cheaper toys may be easily damaged and become hazardous to your pet. If in doubt, ask your vet for advice.

If you're playing indoors with your dog, or leaving them to play on their own, make sure that any dangerous household objects, like choking hazards or loose cables, are stored away or out of reach.

Puppy Play

Puppies are extremely playful and inquisitive. It’s normal for puppies to explore their environment by sniffing, tasting and perhaps chewing on things in the home. Puppies may “teeth” between 3 to 6 months of age and will want to chew on objects as their teeth come through their gums. Make sure all dog toys and games for dogs are the correct size for your pup and they can’t break them or swallow parts of them.

You can also find plenty of brain games for puppies to engage their developing brains and help them to develop new skills. A great example of this would be a food puzzle toy which gets their problem-solving mind ticking - food and fun, all in one!

Games to Play Indoors

Brain games for dogs, like hiding treats and asking your dog to search for them when at home are great games. They’ll give your pet mental stimulation whilst searching and a sense of satisfaction when they find what you’ve hidden. You could ask your dog to play the classic game of hide and seek, having them look for a family member who has hidden, or find the toys you sneakily dropped.

If your dog isn’t interested in toys, then try hiding their favourite food treats. Put their noses to work and let them rely on their keen sense of smell to sniff out their reward. Whatever your dog has been asked to look for, reward them when they find it so they’ll be keen to search for it again. Increase the difficulty as your dog gets better at the game.

There are toys specifically designed to provide mental stimulation. Toys like dog brain games and balls or cubes that your dog must manipulate to get food out of. Snuffle mats can be great for slowing down fast eaters and make mealtimes more fun. Some breed types are likely to be more interested in certain types of toys, but you will get to know what your own dog likes and dislikes over time.

Games to Play in the Garden

More energetic games can be played in the garden. Games such as hide and seek work well indoors or out. Dogs usually enjoy a game of tug but keep this as non-competitive as possible.

There shouldn’t be any growling or aggressiveness associated with playing tug. If this happens stop the game immediately so your dog learns what type of play is acceptable and what’s not - it should never be a “tug of war”! Take care not to let your dog pull too hard in case they damage their teeth.

Some dogs will enjoy obstacle courses in the garden and children may enjoy helping to design and build these. Be sure that the course is safe for your dog and that any platforms are solid and can take your dog’s weight. Some dogs will enjoy jumping through hula hoops or weaving between posts.

Games to Play On Walks

Many of the games for dogs mentioned above can be played on walks too. Try hiding toys in the woods or fields and reward your dog with lots of praise and maybe the occasional treat. Try doing a variety of different walks, so that your dog has new places to smell and explore. If your dog enjoys swimming then splashing about and playing fetch in lakes, streams and quiet seas can keep your dog very happy.

Play is essential for dogs and can be lots of fun for them and you! Exploring your local pet shop’s toy department can be fun for you and your dog but you don’t need to spend a lot of money. Experiment with different games and toys to find out what really engages your dog, and which is their favourite.

It can be a good idea to put toys away when they’re not being used, so your dog is excited to see them and doesn’t get bored from having access to them all the time. A few good quality, safe toys are a good investment and can be rotated so they stay interesting.

While it may not seem like one of the most fun games for dogs, obedience training can make for a great way to engage with your pooch. Ensure you're rewarding your dog with praise and treats when they do something good, like when you've got your dog to drop the ball on command. Regardless of the toys you have, the thing your dog will probably enjoy the most is spending time with you.

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