How to get your puppy to play

Heres 33 ways to keep your dog busy indoors. This is the process of learning when a bite is too strong or no longer part of reciprocal fun.

Most animals can be sexually stimulated in the sensitive genital area.

How to get your puppy to play. Again start off slow. Sit close to your dog and roll a ball toward it or shake a tug toy a little. If it shows interest give it a treat and praise.

It may take some time but the more you engage your dog in play the sooner it will learn whats expected. Before you know it your dog will be playing as if its done it all its life. Use toys that dogs can play with by themselves to get them into the habit of doing this.

You can encourage your dog to do this by playing with her for a few minutes using another toy introducing the new toy and then sitting quietly while the dog plays with the toy. When the dog stops and looks at you or is finished say good girl. With help from my dog Laika weve come up with a big list of fun indoor activities for dogs.

So if youre looking for some indoor games to play with your dog youve come to the right place. Heres 33 ways to keep your dog busy indoors. Play a Game of Find The Treats.

Nose work games are one of the easiest ways to tire out your dog. You can see the joy on your dogs face as he makes new friends and stimulates his body and mind. That vision is shattered however at the first sign of rough play.

Your dog growls bites tackles and chases in a way other dogs dont appreciate. Instead of making new friends your dog tries to dominate his playmates. Use a taste deterrent to keep your dog from biting.

Before you start playing with your dog spray a taste deterrent on areas of your body and clothes that you dog likes to play. Most animals can be sexually stimulated in the sensitive genital area. So for dogs you just have to use your hand or something to masturbate your dogs sexual organ.

You should start gently so that your dog wont be startled and run away. You may need to hold its legs firmly to make it stay put. Speak to your veterinarian about safe options and always watch your puppy with any new toy until you are sure they can play with it safely.

When leaving a puppy alone you can also use a sound. First get your puppy used to being pet handled and snuggled without triggering rough play or chewing. Teach your puppy bite inhibition.

This is the process of learning when a bite is too strong or no longer part of reciprocal fun. Puppies usually learn bite inhibition early from their mothers but you can learn some techniques for training this. Fetch is a game that most people want to play with their dog and it can be frustrating if you throw a toy and your dog just sits watching you or goes and gets the toy but doesnt bring it back.

Teaching your dog to play nicely without biting jumping up on you or otherwise playing too roughly doesnt have to be difficult. It does however require a foundation of obedience training. Not only will this training teach your dog the foundation obedience exercises sit down stay come and walk on a leash nicely but this training will help you both to.

Mouthing and play biting. Because play mimics fighting in many ways biting is a normal part of play behavior. The amount of pressure that is tolerated is learned early from the consequences of biting too hard or to rough.

If he bites too. If your dog hasnt mastered their recall around dog park distractions simply dont call them to come. Use name recognition to encourage a pause in play or go and get them.

Practicing your dogs Come-When-Called cue during play is a wonderful way to build the behavior give you more off-leash control and create breaks during playtime. At various times in your dogs daily routine when hes not excited ask him to do the down and stay commands at a specific spot or spots in the house. Keep the down stays short in the beginning but then ask your dog to hold still for a few minutes at a time.

When your dog can do this then with a leash on him interrupt play and ask him to down and stay in one of the spots. Instead teach your dog to play with appropriate chew toys. You can do this by rewarding good play behavior with treats petting and lots of praise.

If your dog does get nippy during play put your hands behind your back or simply get up and walk away. If you practice this consistently your pup will learn that play time ends when he gets too rough. If your puppy is pouncing on your legs or feet as you walk a common playful puppy behavior Santo recommends holding a high-value treat next to your leg as you walk to help the puppy learn to.

Have a calm dog come over to your house or yard or meet you on a walk. Put your dog on a leash prior to the dog entering the house or yard. When the other dog enters give your dog the downstay command use the leash to pull them to the side not back to direct them if necessary.

After your dog has been able to complete the action a few times add a cue word and a hand signal. Most people choose to use the verbal command bang along with a hand signal command holding the fingers to look like a gun pointing at.