KIDS AND DOGS PART TWO – GAMES TO PLAY FOR HAPPY, HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

In my last column, I reviewed a number of organized dog sports open to participation by children.  These sports provide an opportunity for structured training while encouraging  the bonding between the child and dog.  Due to the expense and time involved in such sports, many families will seek games that can be played at home.  With a little creativity and willing participants, your home can be an entertainment center for the whole family including the dog.  Please remember - dogs and children should always be closely supervised when together!

Bobbing For Hotdogs –  When people play this game, it’s called bobbing for apples.  Using the same concept, slice hotdogs and place them in a kiddie pool filled with water.  Allow the dog to try to get them.  Some dogs will even place their faces under water and blow bubbles trying to get the hot dog!

Hide and Seek – This is a great game for reinforcing a recall.  One person holds the dog while the child hides.  Be sure the child chooses an easy location inside the house at first and carries a small treat to reward the dog when he finds her.  Once the child has hidden, have her call the dog’s name and release the dog.  He should be rewarded immediately upon finding the child. Make it harder as the dog gets faster at finding the child.

Go Wild and Freeze – This game comes from September Morn, whose homepage (http://hometown.aol.com/morndogs/myhomepage/) contains information on more games and other training ideas.  Children are asked to “Go Wild,” at which time they should begin to jump up and down and swing their arms.  When asked to “Freeze,” they should stop, stand tall, and the child closest to the dog cues the dog to sit, then rewards the dog when he obeys.  Increase the “Go Wild” time and, after several rounds, the dog will probably begin to offer the sit once he hears the “Freeze” cue.

Board Games – Many families have great times together playing board games.  Now there are games available that will allow you to include your dog in the fun!  In Funagle, human players have one minute to use a treat, gestures, or their voice to get the dog to perform a task on the game board.  Another game is Do You Mind, in which players roll a die then match paw prints with a card that states a task for the dog such as twisting or kissing the card holder.   Both games can be purchased from http://www.pawlickers.com/products/training/puzzles-games , a company that also carries brain games for your dog to play alone.  Perhaps one of the best board games for families is called Doggone Crazy.  It teaches children how to behave around dogs and how to understand dog body language.  With summer activities just around the corner, this knowledge could prove valuable in preventing bites.  For more information, check out http://www.doggonecrazy.ca/about%20doggone%20crazy.htm .

Neighborly Competition – As a young married couple, my husband and I delighted in training our first fur-child – a lab/springer spaniel mix smarter than both of us combined.  Our neighbors, also newlyweds, had a sheltie who was smart and eager to learn.  Jim and I would train our dog, Pooh, to do a trick and then trot down the hill to show off our furry genius. Two days later, the neighbors would trot up the hill to show us their dog, Rocky, could do that same trick plus one more.  We had the best trained dogs on the block.  Kids can have friendly competitions in the same way.  Start off with basic behaviors – sit, down, stay – and move to tricks such as twist, bow, roll over.  A source for tricks to teach your dog is http://www.k9events.com/tricks_and_games.htm .

Outside Activities – Don’t forget to take Fideaux with you to the parks and recreation areas where dogs are allowed on lead.  Hiking with kids and dogs can be loads of fun while burning off the excessive energy of both.  A tired dog is a good dog and a tired child is better.   If you are near a pond or lake, your dog may enjoy swimming and retrieving a thrown object.  Kids can throw the stick as far as possible or toward a specific location.  Don’t forget the traditional games in a safe area – Frisbee and fetch are classics.  Likewise, radio control cars can provide an opportunity for dogs to chase prey while kids  practice driving.  Just be sure the car is not small enough to be swallowed by the dog!

If you are not blessed with children, don’t hesitate to become a child yourself for a while and give some of these games a try.  Your dog will benefit from increased training and you will improve your mind, body, and emotions.