Keeping your puppy busy with these exercises not only provides a basis that makes more advanced training easier, but it helps burn off some of the extra energy they have. This means your puppy will be less likely to chew and destroy your home due to boredom.Spending time with your puppy in these games will also increase the bond between the two of you.

Puppies like to play, and these games will help create a happy home for him.

Grooming Practice

Getting your puppy used to grooming at a young age will make it a lot easier to do when he is older, bigger, and more independent. Puppies need to learn to accept hands-on treatment over all of their bodies. Grooming him also establishes the dominance of the owner. Cut his nails and clean his teeth as well. He will get used to having his mouth handled, and will not be intimidated or reactive when this happens. Try just opening his mouth, handling it, before you actually do any cleaning. Do this for as long as it takes until he relaxes, and try to make a point of doing it every day at first. He will learn to trust and relax – and not bite – when a hand goes into his mouth. Once you are both confident, move on to cleaning his teeth.

Playing Hide & Seek

Hide and seek is fun for owners and puppies alike, and helps teach your puppy how to come when called.

  1. Put your puppy on a sit-stay or have someone else hold his leash.
  2. Hide behind a nearby tree or, if inside, a piece of furniture.
  3. Wait five seconds, then call him excitedly.
  4. When he “finds” you, praise him with lots of love and a tidbit or ball.
  5. Make each hiding place a little harder and a little farther away. Sometimes return to your puppy and end the game at that point so he will not think he always has to leave to get you near him.

Playing Find The Toy

Find The Toy teaches early discrimination through smell.

  1. Tie your puppy to a chair or have someone hold his leash.
  2. Let him watch you put several objects on the floor: a can, bottle, box, telephone. Use a glove or just barely touch these articles when placing them on the floor.
  3. Go back to your puppy, take his favorite toy and hold it in your hands for several seconds, and let him watch as you throw it in with the other objects.
  4. Release him and tell him “Fetch!”
  5. When he does, praise him lavishly.
  6. As he gets good at selecting his toy, use one of your well-scented gloves or socks and put it with similar objects that are unscented. Pretty soon scent discrimination will be an understood part of his life from your viewpoint, not just from his viewpoint.

Playing High Jump

At first, try just walking over the jump with the puppy at your side. If that works, fine. If not, put your puppy on one side of the jump and get on the other side. Use a piece of food to coax him over. If you have a leash on the puppy be sure to keep it loose when he jumps. You should never pull a puppy (or a dog) over a jump.

Playing Bar Jump

Same as above, except start with the bar on the ground. Slowly raise it after each successful jump.

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