| Great game: Mind Games. Build brain power! Teach your dog the names of his toys or names of family members. Teach him to deliver notes or find your car keys! Good game: Tricks! Exercise your dog's mind! Teach your dog to sit up, roll over, shake hands, or even balance a biscuit on his nose! HOW TO PLAY WITH YOUR DOG Control the games, control the dog . . . The kinds of games you play and how you play them will directly influence your dog's behavior. (See Good Games, Bad Games.) A large number of behavior problems seen in adult dogs can be traced back to the games they played as puppies. Do the games you play with your puppy encourage grabbing, biting or chasing? "Having a dog is largely a matter of teaching the dog self-control. A good dog - and a safe dog around children - sits when he wants to jump, resists when he wants to take, and releases what he wants to hold onto. Anything you can do to foster that kind of control is for the best. Everything you do with your dog teaches him something! Make sure that the games you play foster the behaviors and attitudes you want ... Good games promote cooperation and control." - Sarah Wilson, Good Owners, Great Pets DON'T OVER-STIMULATE YOUR DOG - AVOID COMPETING FOR THE PRIZE. Avoid any action that might be mistaken as a challenge or teasing. Don't hover and pounce. Avoid games of keep-away, taunting the dog with the toy before it is thrown, wrenching it out of the dog's mouth after a momentary game of tug-of-war, and dangling the toy out of reach or behind your back to keep the dog from grabbing it away from you. These games increase dominant, pushy behavior. These might be good ways to entice a shy dog to play, but should be avoided with a highly motivated, confident dog. A dog who enjoys playing these games with the adults in the family cannot possibly know that it isn't the same game when the five- year-old holds his peanut butter sandwich above his head. Tug-of-war games become merely annoying when clean laundry is ripped from the clothesline - its a dangerous game when the adult dog plays it with a passer-by on a bicycle, or snares a running child. YOUR DOG WILL HAVE TWO TYPES OF TOYS: Pacifier toys - chew toys: the ones he should choose instead of your shoes or furniture. Interactive toys - balls, squeaky toys, tug toys: the ones that he enjoys with you. YOU ARE NOT A TOY. Don't use your body or clothing as part of any game. The most certain way to tell your dog that you are a littermate or a lower pack member is to act like one. You are not a dog. Do not get down on your hands and knees and growl at your dog, or play pushing, wrestling games which encourage biting. USE YOUR VOICE EFFECTIVELY. High pitched squealing makes you sound like a squeaky toy - a wounded animal - which brings out the predator in your dog. Whining makes you sound like another puppy - a playmate, not a pack leader. Children and women are usually the most prone to high pitched tones. "No-o-o-o-o! Do-o-o-on't! -Mom!" If you are giving a command or a reprimand, use your voice effectively. Lower your voice, be calm and matter-of-fact. Tell, don't ask. Give direction. Stop that, do this. USE YOUR BODY POSTURE AS WELL AS YOUR VOICE. If your dog isn't taking you seriously, stand up so you are taller than your dog. Look down on him as you give a command. If the dog is trying to steal something from you, whether its his favorite toy or your T-bone steak, use your body language and voice to let him know that he doesn't stand a chance. Don't squeal, don't pull away or raise the item above your head; this will encourage a chase response. Move toward the dog, hug the item close to your body and make eye contact. Lower your tone of voice. THE WINNER KEEPS THE TROPHY Control all access to interactive toys. Squeaky toys, balls, Frisbees, tug toys are stored out of reach, not left on the floor. You select the toy. You decide when the game starts, what the rules are, and when the game ends. The dog should never be allowed to wander off with the toy when the game is over. It is your toy and you allow the dog to play with it when you say so. YOU MAKE THE RULES. Retrieving games can teach control. Start with short throws on-leash. Incorporate the SIT or DOWN and STAY commands in every game. "Sit - good sit!" "Stay" (toss the toy) "Get it!"-or-"Fetch!" "Bring it here!" "Sit"-"Out." The delivery and release of the toy are very important. The dog should remove himself from the toy. Don't allow the dog to initiate games of keep-away or tug-of-war. Stop the game when the dog is still eager to play, not when he decides to quit. Take the toy, "Out." (You might trade for a treat.) Tell him, "OK., that's enough, good game!" - Leave it. Place the toy in plain sight for several minutes. He may not touch it once you say the game is over. When he has resigned himself to the fact that he cant have it, quietly put the toy away until your next play session. Never allow your dog to shove toys at you or bark at you, demanding that you play his games. Control games help teach commands and reinforce good manners. The rules are black and white. No going for the toy until the get it command is given. (Stay!) No leaping for the toy when it is in the owner's hand (Leave it!), no jumping up (Off!), barking (Quiet!), leaping or lunging (Off - Sit!). The reward for following the rules is getting to play. More about how to play with your dog: Intelligent Diversions & Creative Play! RECIPE FOR THE "ALMOST PERFECT" DOG It is reassuring to know that the ingredients for an "almost perfect" dog are available to any responsible dog owner. You can enjoy the wonderful benefits of an "almost perfect" dog. The ingredients are: 1. One clean bill of health. You can help ensure this vital ingredient with current vaccinations and regular veterinary check ups. 2. One proper I.D. Make sure your dog has a license and/or I.D. (dog tags, tattoo, canine microchip). 3. One well-nourished, well-exercised dog. Feed your dog as recommended by your veterinarian, professional trainer or breeder. Exercise your dog as often as possible. 4. One safe, secure, comfortable environment free from abuse and neglect. If your dog spends much time outdoors, a well-insulated dog house in a fenced area should be provided. Inside, a crate (dog den) is recommended by most trainers. Start crate training early - ask your veterinarian! 5. A full measure of time. Time spent with your dog should include training flavored with reward, correction/positive reinforcement, petting, grooming and exercise such as walking, playing, fetching, and just being with you and your family. Missing ingredients result in behavior problems. Over 60% of dogs in shelters are there as a result of behavior problems or lack of identification. MOST BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS ARE CORRECTABLE! Don't despair! Make sure your dog has a clean bill of health, then contact your professional trainer and/or animal behaviorist for help. Prevention is always the best cure for behavior problems! Lack of training and physical and mental understimulation (boredom) are primary causes of misbehavior. They can be easily prevented by enrolling in basic training classes (contact your veterinarian for a referral) and using Kong Dog Toys for healthy physical and mental stimulation. Kong Dog Toys are widely used and recommended for therapy and prevention of understimulation, boredom, separation anxiety and other behavior problems. Following are some simple ways Kongs can be utilized to promote good behavior in your dog. It is important for dogs to succeed at their "work". Make it easy to remove the kong stuffing at first. AS THEY BECOME MORE EXPERIENCED, YOU MAY WANT TO MAKE THEIR JOB MORE CHALLENGING - HERE'S HOW: 1. Pack stuffing tighter. 2. Wedge biscuits inside the cavity using the inside rim of the opening to secure them. 3. FREEZE IT! Very Popular! Try various combinations of canned food, gravy, noodles, rice and mashed potatoes mixed with food nuggets and freeze. KONGSICLES are a favorite with many hot dogs! Put a dab of peanut butter in the small end of the Kong to plug it. Turn it upside down in a cup. Fill it full of water, chicken broth or fruit juice and freeze. Cool doggies! Kongsicles are recommended for outdoor use. 4. CHEESE IT! Mix cheese pieces or cheese spread with food nuggets and microwave until cheese melts. Let it cool to a safe temperature. NOTE - Use a cup to contain the Kong when freezing or microwaving. KONG STUFFING RECIPES As you create recipes, be sensitive to your dog's tummy as you experiment. Following are recipes created by veterinarians, dog trainers and dog lovers worldwide. BANANA RAMA: 1 fresh banana · 2 tbs wheat germ · 1 tbs plain yogurt (can use your pet's favorite flavor as well) · Kong Toy that best fits your pet's chewing temperament In a bowl, mash up banana. Then, add wheat germ and yogurt. Mash all ingredients together and use spoon to add to Kong. Freeze for 4 hours. Makes 1 serving for Medium Kong. Double for every Kong Size that is bigger. CHEESY DENTAL KONG DELIGHT: 3 slices of your pet's favorite cheese · Dental Kong Toy A very simple and creative way to make any pet drool in delight. Just place the 3 slices of cheese directly onto the grooves of your pet's Dental Kong (if model has rope - make sure cheese does not get onto it). Melt in microwave for 20 to 30 seconds. Give to pet after it cools. PHILLY STEAK: steak scraps · 1 ounce cream cheese · appropriate Kong Toy Place small scraps of the steak inside Kong toy. Spread cream cheese in large hole to hold scraps. FRUIT SALAD: apple and carrot chunks · 1/4th of a banana · appropriate Kong Toy Place apples and carrots in Kong Toy. Mush the banana in large hole to hold fruit in place. You can include other fruits and veggies: orange slices · peach and/or nectarine chunks · celery sticks · broccoli and/or cauliflower · tomato and black olive mixture. VEGGIE KONG OMELET: 1 egg · your choice of shredded cheese · any vegetables that your pet may like · appropriate Kong Toy Scramble egg and fold in vegetables. Put into Kong toy. Sprinkle some cheese over the top and microwave for about 20 seconds. Cool thoroughly before giving to dog. MAC 'N CHEESE: Leftover macaroni and cheese · small cube of Velveeta · appropriate Kong Toy Melt Velveeta in microwave until gooey. Add mac 'n cheese to Kong Toy. Pour heated Velveeta into Kong. Make sure it has cooled before giving to your pet. FAMOUS RECIPES AUNT JEANNIE'S ARCHEOLOGY KONG (for advanced dogs) LAYER ONE (deepest): roasted, unsalted cashews · freeze dried liver bits LAYER TWO: dog kibble, cookies or liver biscotti · Cheerios · sugar-free, salt-free peanut butter · dried banana chips, apples and apricots LAYER THREE: carrot sticks · turkey or leftover ravioli or tortellini · Kong Toy (the larger the better!) Pack as tightly as possible. The last item inserted should be an apricot or piece of ravioli, presenting a smooth "finish" under the main opening. LIGHT VERSION: substitute crumbled rice cakes for cashews, Caesar croutons for freeze-dried liver, fat free cream cheese for peanut butter. - by Jean Donaldson KONG ON A ROPE: Dry dog kibble · appropriate Kong Toy · Rope Take the rope, pull it through the Kong Toy and knot it. Hang this upside down from a tree, deck or post. The small hole should be facing the ground. Take the kibble and fill the Kong Toy. Make the toy hang just low enough that it is out of your dog's reach. The dog will spend hours trying to retrieve the kibble from the Kong Toy. At the end of the day, take the remaining kibble and give to your pet as a reward. This is advanced work for your dog. - by Ian Dunbar FROZEN JERKY POPS: Peanut butter · bouillon · Jerky Strips · Water · appropriate Kong Toy · muffin tin Smear a small amount of peanut butter over small hole in your Kong Toy. Fill the cool water and add a pinch of bouillon. Place a Jerky Stick inside Kong Toy and freeze. This can also be put (once frozen) in a children's size swimming pool for a fun day of fishing for your pet. - by Terry Ryan SIMPLE, TRIED AND TRUE: Peanut butter · appropriate Kong Toy Smear peanut butter inside the cavity of your Kong Toy. It's that easy! - by trainers and vets worldwide TRIXIE'S FAVORITE: Trixie, a 50 pound Aussie/Springer mix, loves turkey, chicken or marrow bites mixed with slightly moistened food nuggets frozen inside her Kong. She is very clean about unstuffing - some dogs are not! - by Joe Markham Every dog has a favorite recipe - finding your dog's will be fun! REMEMBER: Some foods are not healthy for dogs. Check with your vet first. KONG HUNTING Hide stuffed Kongs indoors and/or out. The hunt is great fun and rewarding. IMPORTANT! a. Provide stuffed Kongs randomly so they won't always be associated with you leaving. b. If your dog is unstuffing several Kongs per day, you should appropriately reduce the amount of bowl feeding. c. CLEAN KONGS THOROUGHLY AFTER USE! Dishwasher is recommended. Your dog's job will last until the Kongs are unstuffed. You can keep your dog "working" all day if you provide enough stuffed Kongs! IMPORTANT! Use Kongs Safely! Your dog's safety is your responsibility! ALWAYS supervise your dog's use of Kongs until you are confident they can be used safely without you! Read Kong Toy User Guide! KONG SIZE CHART This chart was developed to help find the appropriate size Kong Toy for your dog. If your dog's chewing temperament is stronger than average, always size up! Click here to view chart. Provide Safe Pacifiers for "alone times": Kongs - rubber toys that look like rattlesnake tails and bounce which way and that. Add a bit of peanut butter, a square of cheese, a big biscuit too large to fall out and a few that will. Fill several and hide them in the house or yard and they will keep your dog busy for hours. Go HERE for more ideas! Nylabones - they come in a variety of shapes and sizes and hardnesses, from the "edible" varieties which are intended to be eaten, to the dental bones designed to massage gums and clean teeth, to the Galileo version for the most powerful chewers. If your dog isn't interested, roughen the edges so it looks like another dog enjoyed it first, and then rub peanut butter or squeeze cheese into the crevasses. Mmm mmm good!! Chew toys - Hooves, rawhide, pig ears, knuckle bones etc. - Chosen carefully (the right size and hardness for your dog's particular chewing style) can provide hours of chewing satisfaction. If your dog bites off chunks or consumes them quickly they could cause digestive upset or intestinal blockage. Real bones can be safe for some dogs and not for others, depending on how powerfully they chew - heavy chewers can suffer from tooth fractures. There is much debate over raw vs. cooked. Knotted ropes - Chewing a knotted rope can massage gums and keep your dog's teeth clean, plus the added play value of shaking, tossing, pouncing and "killing". Some come with rubber toys or tennis balls added for even more fun. You can hide biscuits in the knots to encourage your dog and add interest. Dental devices - various shapes and sizes of flexible, nubby edges massage gums and clean teeth. Some are designed so you can put doggy toothpaste in the grooves and let your dog brush his own teeth! Fleece toys - Many retrievers and "mothering types" seem to find comfort in carrying a soft toy with them, and frequently present them to their owners upon their arrival home from a long day at work. Squeakers may encourage "disemboweling" and your chew man might soon be without his insides, but most dogs continue to enjoy them even without their stuffing. Brain Toys / Self-amusement Buster Cubes - This durable plastic cube gives dogs mental stimulation, exercise and relief from boredom. It is designed to be filled with bite sized dry pet food or treats. The food is released as the dog rolls the cube with its nose or its paws. Huge balls - herding breeds especially love playing soccer alone or with you. A suspended ball - remember playing tether ball as a kid? Many dogs also enjoy this game, especially boxers and bull dog breeds. The ball should be suspended from a horizontal pole, not a vertical one for safety. A kid's wading pool - water loving breeds will love spending hot summer days splashing in a shallow kid's wading pool. A sandbox of his own - If your dog loves to dig, make him an appropriate place to do it. Bury his favorite toys, bones and a biscuit or two before you turn the dog out to play. photo of "Jack" the American Eskimo courtesy of Cathy Fox Brain Games Tricks and more tricks - You are only limited by your imagination! Sit up, shake hands, roll over, chase your tail, take a bow, balance a biscuit on his nose. Hide his breakfast - using his nose can be the most tiring activity for your dog. Leave widely spaced trail of kibble to the hidden bowl ... gradually, day by day, decrease the number of "clues" til your dog is finding it all on his own. Hide and seek - Have a family member hide, have them call "come!" and send the dog to find them - start out easy and make it more and more difficult day by day. Play this game in the dark to encourage your dog to use his sense of smell. Find your toys - Take him out of the room and hide his favorite toy and send him in to find it ... if your dog doesn't like toys, play "hide the biscuit" instead. Variation: Name his toys - and send him to retrieve them by name. Can you put out a pile of his favorites and have him retrieve them one by one, by name? Message delivery - Teach your dog to deliver notes or other items to other family members. "Take it to daddy" could save you a trip downstairs and give your dog a job he can be proud of! "Maggie" negotiates the board walk - photo courtesy of Cathy Fox Obstacle courses - Over, under, around and through. Large cardboard boxes can become tunnels, a wide board and a couple of cinder blocks can become a bridge. (See agility below.) Clicker Training! 101 things to do with a cardboard box, Free shape a behavior with your clicker! Active Games & Other Activities Retrieving - "sit" "stay" "get it" "out" - dumbells, Foxtails, Tennis balls Jumping - Start slowly. Keep the jumps low and the landing surface soft, especially for young dogs. Avoid repetitive jumping or height until your dog is completely through growing. Frisbee™ - Spokane City Parks & Rec Dept. Hosts a dog Frisbee catching contest at Shadle Park the 1st Wednesday after the 4th of July every year. Bike riding, jogging - start slow and build distance gradually, soft surfaces and short distances for young dogs, check pads before and after every run, avoid the heat of the day. Cart or sled pulling - The Iditorod! A Northern breed favorite. Cart pulling is enjoyed by Newfoundlands, Bernese Mt. Dogs, Pyrenees and others. Swimming - is good exercise and a great way to cool off. Not all dogs naturally know how to swim! Doggy life jackets are a good idea when boating. Important: Swimming pools are strictly off-limits to unsupervised dogs. Dog Sports (visit our LINKS page for more info!) AKC / UKC Obedience Trials - Novice (C.D.), Open (C.D.X.), & Utility (U.D.). Dogs are judged on precision and response to commands. Conformation - dogs are judged on appearance and movement. Dogs receiving a certain number of points can earn the title of Champion. Tracking - Following an aged scent trail with his nose over different terrain. Agility - jumps, hurdles, tunnels, weave poles, an A- frame and even a teeter- totter - a timed event. Herding - For those breeds bred to herd sheep or cattle. A favorite of Border Collies, Australian shepherds and cattle dogs and many others. Fly ball - the dog jumps a series of low hurdles and triggers a tennis ball from a spring loaded box, then returns with the ball over the jumps to the handler. A timed relay race for teams. Scent Hurdle - like fly ball only the dogs retrieve a dumbbell carrying their handler's scent. Lure coursing - the sport of sighthounds like Whippets, Greyhounds, Afghans, Salukis, Pharaoh Hounds and Basenjis. A lure (often a white plastic bag) travels along a pully- system along a varied course. Dogs are judged on speed, agility and style. Weight pull - a contest of strength. Harnessed dogs compete to see who can pull the most weight for an allotted distance. Schutzhund - A German police sport, encompassing obedience, tracking and attack work. Intermountain Search Dogs - Five of eight of these great dogs are DITR students! Service to the Community Pet-Assisted Therapy - Dog/handler teams visit patients and work with therapists in hospital & nursing home settings. For more information, contact The Delta Society in Renton, WA - 1-800-869-6898 Search and Rescue - working with police & sheriff's departments to find lost or missing persons. Service Dogs - aiding the handicapped as eyes for the blind, ears for the deaf, hands for the disabled and even confidence for mentally disadvantaged. This handout may be reprinted in its entirety for distribution free of charge and with full credit given: © CAROL A. BYRNES "DIAMONDS IN THE RUFF" Training for Dogs & Their People - ditr_training @ hotmail.com - http://www.diamondsintheruff.com Return To Top |