| <!-- @page { margin: 2cm } P { margin-bottom: | | | | help you to guide him initially to the ball or piece of |
| 0.21cm } --> | | | | cloth. Begin by walking a little way and, while your |
| Summer is just around the corner for most of | | | | dog is not looking discreetly drop the ball or cloth. |
| us, so it's now time to dust of the dog and, | | | | Walk on a few feet then stop, turn around, give |
| yourself of course and, head to the local park for | | | | your dog his command, such as 'find ' and begin |
| some fun games with your pet. There are a | | | | walking in the direction of the ball or cloth. |
| great many dog activities you can choose from | | | | Encourage your dog all the time you are doing |
| that will suit all breeds and, the good part is they | | | | this. When he finds his ball, give him plenty of |
| are free to play, you don't need any expensive | | | | praise and play the game again. Practice |
| equipment, and above all they will help to keep | | | | developing this exercise in just the same way as |
| your dog in tip top physical and mental condition. | | | | you did with the earlier example. |
| Fetch | | | | Tug |
| One of the most favourite games of all dog | | | | A lot of dog breeds enjoy games which involve |
| breeds, when they learn the rules of course, is | | | | tugging, especially the larger breeds. Again this is |
| fetch. When you teach a dog to fetch it not only | | | | an excellent way of helping your pet get rid of |
| adds to your arsenal of dog training techniques, it | | | | pent up energy however, like all games they are |
| also helps to strengthen the bond you have with | | | | much better enjoyed when everybody plays by |
| your dog, which will have positive benefits in all | | | | the rules. To make tug one of those fun games |
| areas of your relationship. | | | | to play with your dog, make sure that you |
| When teaching your dog to fetch use a ball that is | | | | always initiate this game; your dog must be |
| not too small or too hard, as he could swallow it | | | | aware that the tug toy is yours and not his and, |
| or damage his teeth. If you have a puppy that | | | | it is up to you to decide when you play this game. |
| you would like to teach to fetch a ball and bring it | | | | Don't over stimulate your dog during this game, |
| back, here are some puppy training techniques | | | | and do make sure that you teach him the 'out' or |
| that will help make playing this game a success. | | | | ' leave' command first, so as you have control |
| Put your puppy on a long training lead. Show him | | | | over the game at all times. |
| the ball while at the same time teasing him a little | | | | Some trainers suggest that you should always |
| to get his interest. When your dog shows | | | | 'win' the tug toy from your dog, as a way of not |
| interest, role the ball across the floor, but only a | | | | encouraging dominant behaviour. I wouldn't play a |
| foot or so and, ask your dog to 'fetch' or ' get it '. | | | | game for too long that I didn't win at occasionally, |
| As soon as your dog picks up the ball begin | | | | would you? It's OK to let your dog 'win' his tug |
| excitedly calling him back to you. Once he is in | | | | toy now and again, providing he plays the games |
| arms length, hold on to the ball and ask your dog | | | | by your rules. |
| to 'leave ' or ' drop '. When he opens his mouth, | | | | Catch the Frisbee |
| praise him and give him a little food treat if you | | | | One last game that is especially popular with a lot |
| like, or another game of fetch. Keep practicing | | | | of dog breeds, especially with breeds such as |
| this exercise by increasing the distance you role | | | | Collies, German Shepherds and Retrievers for |
| the ball across the floor. | | | | example, is ' catching the Frisbee '. If your dog |
| Find the treat | | | | has not played this game before, do make sure |
| Find the treat is another one of those fun games | | | | that he is healthy enough to do so, as this game |
| to play with your dog, as it encourages the dog | | | | can be quite physically demanding. To teach your |
| to use his primary sense, his sense of smell. Begin | | | | dog to catch the Frisbee, begin by getting your |
| by hiding a food treat, for example a little bit of | | | | dog to take the Frisbee by rolling it a foot or so |
| cheese or sausage for your dog to find. Although | | | | across the floor. When your dog is happily picking |
| dogs have a highly developed sense of smell they | | | | up the Frisbee, you can then stand back a couple |
| still need a little encouragement to discipline their | | | | of feet and throw it to your dog for him to |
| searching abilities, so make it simple to begin with, | | | | catch. Once your dog is catching the Frisbee from |
| by basically leading your dog to the treat, while | | | | this distance consistently, you can begin increasing |
| using a word such as ' find '. Soon you will be able | | | | the distance gradually. |
| to hide treats in any place and your dog will | | | | Go ahead and have fun with these five dog |
| quickly find them. | | | | activities. They are a great way to keep both |
| Tracking | | | | you and your dog healthy. However, do |
| If you really want to develop and test your dogs | | | | remember not to over do things, especially in hot |
| abilities in this area you could try the searchgame | | | | weather. Takefrequent breaks between your play |
| in your local park. Use your dogs ball or a small | | | | sessions and, don't forget to take plenty of water |
| piece of cloth for this exercise. Again, begin by | | | | for your dog. |
| putting your dog on his training lead, as this will | | | | |