HIDE-AND-SEEK
Even if she's not a bloodhound, odds are your dog will outsmart you at this game every time.
ALL YOU NEED: Watch or egg timer
HOW TO PLAY:
1. The child finds a place to hide while a parent (or another child) distracts the dog or holds her leashed in another room or part of the yard.
2. From the hiding place, the child calls the dog.
3. If you like, clock your pooch's find time.
4. Choose more and more difficult hiding places and see if your pup can beat her fastest time.
TIP: If you hide your dog's favorite object (rather than a person), let the dog sniff it first. After your child hides the object, take the dog to find it one time, but then she's got to find it alone. Kids who didn't see the hiding place may want to seek with the dog.
REVIEW BY HAPPY RETRIEVER: I love this game! I know it seems like magic to you, but it's just what we dogs do. You lose stuff, we find it. I'm glad you're finally starting to appreciate that.
BUCKET BALL
Spot can score points with this four-legged version of basketball.
ALL YOU NEED: A large container (a plastic pail, big cooking pot, laundry basket) and a tennis ball
HOW TO PLAY:
1. After you place your dog's basket (the container) on the floor and weigh it down with a brick or other heavy object so it won't tip over, let your dog sniff the ball and the bucket.
2. With the dog watching, drop the ball into the bucket several times, saying "drop" each time.
3. Give your dog the ball, lead him to the bucket and say "drop." If he does, reward him immediately with praise, a treat or both. Be patient.
4. Once he is able to drop the ball into the bucket, try rolling or throwing the ball to him. If he catches the ball and drops it in, contact the NBA!
TIP: If your dog is having trouble catching on, remember to break the activity down into separate parts (in this case, catching, bringing and dropping) and let the dog master one part before going on to the next.
REVIEW BY BIRDIE SPANIEL: This reminds me of a game my humans watch on television, but luckily, it doesn't have as many time-outs. Considering the nonstop action, I give this game eight good tail-wags.
HOOP HOP
This classic circus trick will delight both kids and spotlight-loving canines.
ALL YOU NEED: A plastic hula hoop (available in most toy stores)
HOW TO PLAY:
1. While one family member holds the hoop upright, but not off the floor, let a child lead the leashed dog through the hoop. After they've both made it through, reward the dog (and the child, if he insists).
2. Raise the hoop a few inches off the ground and guide the dog through by herself.
3. Unleash the dog after several successful tries.
4. Keep raising the hoop a little more each time, until the unleashed dog is jumping through the hoop. Don't forget those rewards! In fact, once your dog realizes she can get a tasty treat just by jumping through a hoop, your next challenge may be to get the dog to stop.
TIP: Your dog may try to go under or around the hoop instead of through it (wouldn't you?). Gently tug her through with the leash or lower the hoop a little. Don't force her if she balks; just try again later.
REVIEW BY AIR POODLE: The first time my humans asked me to play this game, I was sure they were kidding. I mean, where's the challenge? But then they held the hoop higher. That was more like it! By the time they got tired of the game, I was really flying through the air!
