LOVELY SMART GIRL PLAYING BABY CUTE DOGS AT HOME HOW TO PLAY WITH DOG & FEED BABY DOGS #28 April 25, 2019 WhenDo1Babies1 Off Baby and Pets.
Many people think of fetch or tug-of-war when it comes to games to play with your dogs. However, there are some pups who might be too old, nervous, or just not thrilled with the prospect of one of these standard dog games.
In fact, they might rather go for a long walk and track a scent, learn new tricks, or snuggle extra close to you.
Dogs like to play differently, depending on their breed, age, and of course, their individual personality. Just because your pooch hasn’t responded to any of your dog games in the past doesn’t mean they won’t ever play. It just means you haven’t found the right game for your pup yet.
It can be frustrating trying to find a game your dog enjoys, but it’s totally worth the effort. Games can be used to give your dog exercise, mental stimulation, and even a sense of purpose.
It’s also a great excuse to spend some time bonding with your dog. And that’s why you got a dog in the first place, right?
Here are six common styles of dog play and how to find the right game for your dog.
Games For The Jock Dog
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The jock dog is spunky and athletic. They are always excited when you come home, love bringing you toys for tug-of-war, and love exploring. If this is your dog, you can try out a lot of activities.
Favorite games include:
- Fetch–the longer the throw, the better
- Tug-of-war
- Agility sports
- Flyball
- Long hikes
- Jogging or even running
- Trips to the dog park. Let the dogs play their own games and tire each other out!
Anything high energy–both mental and physical–will keep the jock dog entertained.
The Ball Hound
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If your dog hides and retrieves toys, balls, and occasionally one of your socks, they are definitely a ball hound. Keeping these toy-obsessed doggies happy involves stepping up your standard fetch game.
If you have a Retriever, chances are they love the water as well. Try out fetch in a nearby lake, or try out one of these other ball hound activities.
The Couch Potato
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Would your dog rather sit on the couch with you and binge watch Netflix instead of play in an active manner?
It can be hard to convince a coach potato pup to get their energy up, but it is vital to their health. Taking your leisurely pup out on a long stroll is a low-impact way of keeping them healthy and strong.
Here are a few other ways to keep your pup active if they prefer a more sedentary lifestyle:
- Learn and practice basic commands. That may not seem like much of a game, but your pup will find it fun.
- Play an indoor game of mini-fetch on a rug or carpet
- Scatter their food in a few “hiding” places so they have to move and look for it
- Get a puzzle feeder for some added stimulation at meal time
- Have a doggy play date. Sometimes a more active friend can convince a pooch to play.
The Diggity Dog
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Does your dog love to dig? Some dogs just feel the urge to paw and claw at furniture, in backyards, and in your dirty laundry more than others.
To keep your dog’s digging behavior from becoming destructive, try giving them their own place to dig–and reward them with treats. You can provide them with a sandbox or a place in the yard with plenty of dirt.
You may also want to try tossing their toys under beds or low tables during a game of fetch. The feeling of tunneling may appeal to their digger roots.
Speaking of tunnels, some digger dogs love to play in a good kiddie tunnel, too. You can recycle your kids’ old tunnel toys or buy a tunnel just for your pooch!
The Nose
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Dogs bred to track scents, like Beagles and hounds, tend to follow their nose wherever it leads them. They have an instinct to track down scents, which can be used for several different activities.
If you really want to go above and beyond, you can even train your scent hound how to be a search and rescue dog.
Or you can simply take scent work classes just for fun. Lots of doggy daycares and training facilities offer these fun classes that provide a great way for owners to bond with their dogs.
Another fun game to play might be a version of hide and seek. In this version, you hide a valuable item, like a toy or treat, then give your dog a command to sniff it out. Start with obvious locations, then move to more challenging ones.
Of course, a classic long walk can provide your dog with plenty of smells to sniff. Try walking somewhere you haven’t been before. The new odors will give your pup some mental stimulation.
The Smart Cookie
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You know if you have a smart cookie pup. They tend to somehow be a step ahead of you, whether its grabbing the leash for a walk or chewing up your favorite shoe because you didn’t give them their dinner on time.
In order to keep your smart pup from becoming destructive out of boredom, play some mentally stimulating games with them.
If you have the ability to commit to agility lessons, your smart cookie dog would benefit immensely. If not, here are a few other challenging games to introduce to your pup:
- Herding exercises. You don’t need to own sheep. Some trainers will offer classes or private lessons.
- Learn new, creative tricks. Has your pup learned any Harry Potter spells?
- Puzzle toys. Give them a mental workout.
- Name game. Assign a name to each of your dog’s toys. When they bring the right one, reward them. Introduce new toys from time to time.
- Maze or obstacle course. You can get really creative. Lots of people make mazes out of snow or obstacle courses out of pool noodles.
Don’t forget the physical workout, too. Even many brainy dogs will have fun with jock dog games.
As always, before starting any new exercise regimen with your dog, run it by your vet. Keep safety in mind with all of your activities, and make sure to give your pup rest if they need it.
What type of dog do you have? And what kind of games do they love? Let us know in the comments below!
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There are dozens of smart dog breeds, with some more popular than others. In general, any dog that performs well as a working dog or service animal can be considered a very intelligent dog. This list covers 10 popular dog breeds that are often considered the smartest.
What Makes a Dog Smart?
There are differences in opinion regarding the signs of intelligence in dogs. You could argue that the smartest dogs are the most stubborn, which might make training more difficult. These dogs may train their humans more than humans could ever train them. However, the majority of people feel that the smartest dogs are fast learners and, therefore, the easiest to train when they are properly motivated.
Intelligent dogs are often able to learn more words that the average dog and, in turn, perform more actions on command. The smartest dogs usually pay close attention to their surroundings and pick up easily on subtle cues. Many can understand the difference between objects and actions. Some can even identify their toys by name!
The most intelligent dogs are often hard-working high-energy dog breeds. Perhaps these dogs learn so quickly because they are highly motivated to perform, not just because of their brain power.
Living With an Intelligent Dog
A breed is not the only determination of intelligence in a dog. There are many highly intelligent mixed-breed dogs. There are also plenty of dogs that are more or less intelligent than their breed's reputation suggests.
Often, a dog's intelligence is brought out by the way you interact with that dog. Dogs learn best when they are motivated to get a reward or need to use up excess energy. The best way to cultivate your dog's intelligence is to keep your dog engaged. Bond with your dog, provide frequent exercise, practice training regularly, play fun games, and allow your dog to participate in fun activities, such as dog sports.
If you have one of the smartest dog breeds or hope to get one someday, be aware that you will need to put in a lot of effort to take proper care of your dog. All dogs have needs, but the smartest dog breeds typically need more exercise, attention, and training to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. Think of brilliant dogs like gifted children in school: they get bored if they are not challenged. Most of the smartest dogs really benefit from a type of job or dog sport. If you have an intelligent dog, make sure you keep your dog busy and prevent boredom.
Border Collie
The border collie is perhaps the smartest of all dogs. If most dogs have the intelligence of the average two-year-old, then a border collie might be as smart as a four-year-old. Extremely energetic, athletic, and driven, it seems that the border collie is always up for learning something new (much like the Australian shepherd). In fact, if you don't keep this breed constantly moving, learning, and working, it will find its own way to keep busy.Border collies can perform just about any job you can give them. However, they love work that keeps them moving and using their brains at the same time, just like their sheepdog histories prepared them to do. The border collie is the overachiever of the canine world. This breed excels at just about everything, including dog sports.Australian Shepherd
One of the world's most intelligent dog breeds, the Australian shepherd is brilliant, active and friendly. Its background as a sheepdog has made this breed a diligent worker that desires physical activity and mental challenges. The Aussie will learn much faster than you expect and be quickly ready to move onto something new.Aussies need to be kept busy with work or they become bored and frustrated. Dogs sports are ideal for this breed, especially those that engage the Aussie's natural athletic ability.Poodle
Despite its fancy or even 'prissy' appearance, the poodle is a highly intelligent dog. Toy, miniature, or standard in size, this breed is gifted with some of the best canine brain power. The poodle originated as a hunting dog and continued to be a diligent worker and trusty companion.Poodles are often seen as performing animals, especially the smaller ones. You can teach a poodle to balance on a ball, jump through a hoop, or do a wide range of other actions.Australian Cattle Dog
The Australian cattle dog (ACD) is an extremely focused and driven dog breed that forms a close bond with its owner. The ACD was bred to herd cattle, so the breed lives to work. Like most intelligent dog breed, the ACD is happiest with a job to do. Without it, and the ACD will find ways to keep busy that you might not like (often destructive behavior or wandering away to explore).Treat your ACD well and the two of you will be friends for life. These dogs love to stick close to their owners and make sure everything is running smoothly. Like most smart dogs, they are very good at reading people.German Shepherd Dog
The German shepherd dog (GSD) might be too smart for its own good. This loyal, protective breed has so much energy and intelligence that it sometimes acts high-strung or anxious. The GSD thrives when given an important job to do. It may be something as simple as 'supervising and protecting' the children that gives a sense of purpose to this breed. However, the GSD needs plenty of mental stimulation and exercise in order to thrive.Many GSDs find their calling by working with police or military operations. They can learn most actions in just a few steps. Once trained, GSDs will do what you ask and then look for the next task to perform.Shetland Sheepdog
The Shetland sheepdog is smarter than you might think at first glance. At times, the breed is misjudged as aloof. The Sheltie is sometimes quiet and graceful; other times it is energetic and playful. Independent and wise, the breed is always watching its environment and waiting for a signal from you. This breed is very good at reading people and often tunes into their personalities.Shelties are eager to learn and please. Their sheepdog roots make the breed very driven and responsive to its surroundings. Shelties form close bonds with their owners and are extremely responsive to training.Honorable mention goes to the collie, a close relative of the Sheltie that has similar intelligence.Papillon
Don't be fooled by the delicate frame of the papillon. This is more than a lap dog. In fact, the papillon is one of the smartest of all the toy breeds. This breed is friendly, alert, and active. It might snuggle on your lap for a bit, but before long, the papillon will be looking for something interesting to do.Like many small dogs, the papillon has a bit of a stubborn streak. However, if you can make training worth his while (find the rewards he likes best) then he will learn quickly. Teach this cute little dog a variety of fun tricks and you'll impress your friends.Rottweiler
The Rottweiler is one of those dogs that really knows how to read people, often showing a different side of its personality based on how much the person is trusted. The typical Rottweiler has an affectionate, playful side shown to trusted family members and a stoic, controlled side shown to strangers. These dogs have no trouble telling you what they really think about you and whatever you're trying to do. Don't try to pull a fast one on them or the people they protect.Once you are in the Rottweiler's inner circle, you can form a deep relationship. They can be trained fairly easily once you earn their trust and get past their headstrong ways. Rottweilers can learn to perform many actions and will always keep an eye on the environment to make sure everyone is safe.Jack Russell Terrier
The Jack Russell terrier seems to be missing from many smart dog breed lists. Perhaps it is because this clever little dog moves too fast to be noticed by some. The Jack Russell, along with the closely related Parson Russell terrier, is a fearless, energetic dog with a sharp wit and a stubborn streak. There's no fooling this little terrier. Good luck trying to stop this dog from getting what he wants.Because of their energy and brainpower, these breeds excel at dog sports like agility and barn hunt. Their desire to keep moving can make training challenging at first but rewarding once you see how well these dogs can perform.Golden Retriever
The golden retriever is among the world's most popular dog breeds and one of the friendliest dogs around. On the surface, the breed may seem goofy, but a golden can learn to do just about anything. Its intelligence and love for people make this breed one of the best for work as a service dog. The golden also excels in all kinds of dog sports. The breed makes an excellent companion for almost any kind of household.Honorable mention goes to this breed's 'cousin,' the Labrador retriever, which shares many of the same traits as the golden.