After all the anticipation, the research, the shopping, you finally have your new puppy. Now what do you do? You look at your new puppy, and he looks back at you with just as much anticipation: Aren’t you supposed to provide some fun?
Of course you are! Having fun with your puppy is a big part of building trust and bonding. Your puppy doesn’t have his littermates to play with anymore, and play is an important way for puppies to learn about the world. Training, grooming, and just hanging out together are good ways to learn and bond, too, but sometimes, puppies (and their people) just want to have fun. In that spirit, try these lighthearted and entertaining games with your puppy. You’ll soon discover that play has some important hidden benefits beyond pure entertainment.
Hide and Seek
Have your puppy sit, or distract him with a small treat. Hide somewhere nearby with a small treat in your pocket—out of sight but not out of hearing—then call your puppy’s name and say, "Where am I?" When your puppy comes to you, give him another small treat as you say, "You found me!" Do it again. Or, if your puppy follows you so you can’t hide, have another family member or friend hold onto the puppy, or throw a toy to distract him, until you are in a new hiding place.
Once your puppy has the hang of this game, you won’t need to call his name. Hide and let him find you on his own. Or, you can initiate the fun whenever you feel inspired. Hide, then let your puppy know the game has begun by calling out, "Oh Sammy (substitute your puppy’s name), where am I?"
Hidden benefit: This game teaches your puppy to tune in to you, no matter where you are. It can help make him more attentive and obedient.
Tag, You’re It!
Touch your puppy and say, "You’re it!" Then, run away from her and call her, encouraging her to chase you (some puppies won’t need any extra encouragement). Let your puppy catch up and touch you with her paw or nose-or offer the back of your hand or your shin for a lick. The moment she touches you, say, "You got me!" Praise her and offer her a treat.
Now, run towards her. You might want to say, "I’m gonna get you!" just to help get her excited. If she doesn’t run away (some will, some won’t), toss a toy to get her running in the right direction, then chase her and touch her gently, saying "You’re it!" again. You might have a hard time catching some puppies—consider it your daily workout. Keep going, back and forth, until you get bored or your puppy loses interest. Do it again later. The more you do this, the more your puppy will get the cues and will enjoy getting out all that puppy energy with this game.
Hidden benefit: Your puppy will learn to chase you when you run in the opposite direction. This can be very helpful if your puppy is heading towards danger—the street or a strange dog, for example. Just call her name and run away from her, and she’ll run after you—and out of harm’s way.
Play Ball!
Puppies love balls and balls can be an endless source of fun, sports-inspired games. Start kicking and dribbling a soccer ball—or any ball—with your feet to get your dog interested. Gently kick the ball to him and let him push it with his nose or paws, then take it back with your feet. Pass it back and forth to him to see if he gets the idea.
If you prefer basketball, set up a child’s basketball hoop at dog level. Give your puppy a ball, then encourage him to drop it through the hoop. Praise him and give him a treat when he does it, even if by accident. Whenever he drops it through, say something like "Shoot!" Keep practicing, then gradually raise up the hoop until your dog is shooting free throws.
Some dogs just like to catch a tennis ball in their mouths. Get a few balls and see how fast your dog can catch and drop them in quick succession—puppy juggling! Or, stick to the old standard—fetch! Throw a tennis ball to see if your dog chases it (you could say "Go get it!" when you throw the ball), then call him back to you, hold out your hand and try to get him to give you the ball by saying "Drop it" or "Give it" or another cue that makes sense to you. Do it again. Some dogs take to this game of "fetch" right away and will play it for as long as you will. Others might decide to change the game to a rousing version of canine keep-away—and that’s fun too.
Hidden benefit: Ball play can be the basis for a lot of advanced tricks and retrieving exercises you can use in competition, if you and your dog are so inclined.
No matter what games you and your puppy play, you’re sure to get lots of exercise and learn more about each other. Having fun together builds your relationship and will make you both better friends—and isn’t that what having a dog is all about?
