Playing games with our dogs can be a fun way to teach leadership and control. However, we do need to choose the correct game to play.

Bad Game: “Catch me if you can”
Your dog grabs something and you try to catch them to get it back. This is a possessive power trip for the dog and it teaches them that they can out-run or out-maneuver you. It also makes it impossible to catch them if they ever get away from you.

Good Game: “Hide and Seek”
You hide and your dog searches until they find you. This game teaches them to come when called and how to find you when they can’t see you. A variation is to hide a toy or a biscuit and encourage them to find it – an excellent ‘scenting’ game.

Bad Game: “Tug of War” for Keeps
Your dog wrestles the tug toy from your hands, sometimes growling, and runs off with the prize (the toy). This is a major power trip and confidence builder for your dog and often turns into a ‘catch me if you can’ game.

Good Game: “Tug of War” on YOUR Terms
You present the toy and invite the dog to play. You make all the rules! The game begins and ends when you say so. When the game is over, you keep the toy until the next game. In case of over-stimulation (an over-excited dog), the game ends abruptly, which teaches self-control.

Bad Game: “Throw the Ball”
Your dog pushes their ball at you, staring intently, ordering you to throw the ball and then snatches it just as you reach for it. When they do allow you to throw it, they dance around teasing you with the ball instead of delivering it to you. This is a power trip for the dog, and teaches them that they can give you orders.

Good Game: “Fetch”
You bring out the ball and invite a controlled game of fetch – the game becomes a training session ‘sit’ ‘wait’ ‘get it’ ‘bring it’ ‘out’ and you put the ball away until the next game. Pack leaders get to decide when and what the rules are, and when the game ends. Always stop when the dog would like to play longer – leave them wanting more.

Bad Game: Wrestling and Play Fighting
Oops! Encourages jumping up, mouthing, biting, chasing and pits the dog’s strength against yours. A definite confidence builder. Teaches the dog that they can ‘run for higher office’ and win.

Good Game: Tricks!
Exercise your dog’s mind. Teach your dog to sit up, roll over, shake hands, or even balance a biscuit on their nose.

Great Game: Mind Games
Builds brain power. Teach your dog the names of their toys or names of family members. Teach them to deliver notes or find your car keys.