Dog Games To Keep Your Pooch Busy!

If this Covid 19 pandemic and the lockdowns that came with it have taught us anything it is the importance of keeping ourselves busy. The lockdown has been difficult for all those who live alone. However, it hasn't been easy for those who have pets, especially dogs. Pet parents often run out of the right dog games, whether it is a lockdown, rainy day, scorching summer day or freezing cold. To help solve this problem, Zigly is back with a list of super fun dog games to keep you and your pooch busy indoors!

Importance of Keeping Your Dog Busy

It is extremely important to keep your dog busy whether or not you are at home. This is because a bored or idle dog can become susceptible to being extra clingy or even develop separation anxiety. Bad behaviours such as chewing or littering the house stem from boredom in dogs. But worry not! Dog games to the rescue! Puppy games are the easiest solution to keep yourself and your pooch involved and bond at the same time. It helps kill boredom and even attain work-life balance as it involves doing something creative with your family and pet. The more you play the more you will realise that there is no end to creativity in these games!

Dog Games

There are many pet dog games to play with your pooch which will keep both you and your dog busy. They help in mental stimulation and are very creative. Without any further ado let's have a look at them. They are mentioned below:

• Hide and Seek: We all loved playing hide and seek when we were kids and we are sure that the game can still be quite exciting. If you don't have any adult friends to play this game with indoors, you can play it with your dog! Hide and seek is one of the most fun dog games ever. You can leave your dog in one room and go and hide somewhere else in the house. Your dog will come after you and try to look for you. Call your dogs name when you are hidden in a nice place and wait for your pupper to find you!

• Object Obstacle: Think brain training for dogs and think object obstacle. An easy game which will help you bond with your dog and can be played by using simple objects inside your house. This game involves making a track by using chairs or old cardboard boxes. Set them in a way that the track leads to you or a treat kept at the end of it. Motivate your dog to go through the track - whether it's crawling under chairs or moving inside boxes - you set the rules for this one!

• Treasure Hunt: One of the most popular games for dogs is a treasure hunt. Since dogs have a good sense of smell, they will enjoy playing this one and you will enjoy setting it up. It can be played by arranging old boxes or bowls upside down with treats as a reward or prize underneath one or two of them. Allow your dog to start sniffing around, once your dog identifies which box or bowl has a treat hidden underneath it, applaud and reward your dog with the treat!

Boop! Here is a Furstatic recommendation by Zigly, the Milk bone/ Yakkies - Dogaholic Milky Chew Chicken Bone Style

• Stuffed Kong Toy: The stuffed Kong toy is one of the best dog toys which is a must-have for all dog owners. Filling up a stuffed kong toy with peanut butter or healthy dog treats can keep your dog busy, mentally stimulated and relieve boredom as well. The Kong toy can also be used while you are at work and your dog is all alone.

• Tug of War: A tug of war with a dog seems funny to think about but it can actually be a lot of fun! This game stimulates the dog physically and mentally. Although theories suggest that playing tug of war can make your dog aggressive or dominating but that is not the case. You and your dog can tug at an old piece of cloth or special rope toys. Studies have shown that dogs who play tug of war become more obedient and bond well with their family members.

Boop! Here is a Furstatic recommendation by Zigly, The Tug Toy Petsport Braided Rope Rasta Man Man With Tennis Ball

(It is important to keep in mind that dogs can shred and destroy rope toys easily and can ingest any small part. Dogs should be allowed to play with rope toys under supervision)

• Which Hand: This game is similar to a treasure hunt except you have to hide the treat or reward for your dog in either one of your hands and let your dog sniff. It is one of the most popular brain games for dogs. If your dog identifies the right hand then give him/ her the treat and if by chance the dog is not able to recognise the correct hand, do not discourage or scold the dog, rather encourage the pooch to try again. If by chance you do not have dog treats at home you can make homemade treats or even use veggies.

This was all about fun dog games that we bet you didn't know about and can play indoors with your best mate - your dog! Rain, sun, hail storm or wind outside,it doesn't matter if your going out is barred, you and your dog can stay busy with these cute games and make memories of a lifetime. For any pet related inquiry you can reach out to our Pawsome People at Zigly because we are just a woof away!