Use 10 fun training games to teach your dog new tricks

Training your furry companion is not just about their safety and well-being but can also be an absolute blast for both of you! Say goodbye to boring drills and repetitive commands.

Today, we’re diving into a world of exciting training games that will turn learning new tricks into a thrilling adventure for your dog.

These games incorporate mental stimulation, physical exercise, and plenty of positive reinforcement, helping you forge an unbreakable bond with your four-legged buddy.

Let’s kick things off with a classic favorite:

Hide and seek

Who doesn’t love a good game of hide and seek? It’s not just for kids!

Dogs have natural hunting instincts, and this game taps into those instincts while reinforcing their recall skills.

Here’s how this training game works: Have your pup sit and stay, then find a sneaky hiding spot inside your house or out in the yard.

Once you’re hidden, call out your dog’s name and encourage them to find you. When they do, shower them with praise and treats.

Not only will this game improve their obedience, but it will also boost their problem-solving abilities. Double win!

Now, let’s talk about treat-dispensing toys:

Treat-dispensing toys

These toys are a dog’s dream come true! They keep your furry friend mentally engaged and serve as a fantastic tool for teaching them new tricks.

These toys usually require your pup to figure out how to manipulate the toy to release tasty treats. You can find puzzle toys with hidden compartments or toys that dispense treats when rolled around.

By challenging your dog with these toys, they’ll learn problem-solving skills, enhance their dexterity, and stay focused on the task at paw. Talk about a win-win situation!

Next up, a twist on a classic game:

Simon says

Time to put a twist on the beloved game of Simon Says and incorporate it into your dog’s training routine. Start with simple commands your dog already knows, like “sit” or “lie down.”

Give the command, followed by “Simon says,” and wait for your dog to respond correctly. If they do, shower them with treats and praise.

You can introduce new commands or combinations as your dog becomes more proficient. This game reinforces obedience, enhances their listening skills, and adds much fun to the training process.

Who says training can’t be a game?

Now, let’s strengthen their response to their name:

The name game

Teaching your pup to respond to their name is crucial for effective communication. The name game is a fantastic way to reinforce this behavior.

Sit in a room with your dog and a handful of treats. Say their name, and reward them with a treat and praise when they look at you.

Repeat this several times, gradually increasing the distance between you and your furry buddy. Eventually, they’ll associate their name with positive experiences and come running whenever you call.

It’s a training game that will have their tail wagging in no time!

Time to take it to the next level with an obstacle course:

Obstacle course

Get ready to create an exciting obstacle course in your backyard or even inside your home.

If your adorable dog goes the route of a professional dog trainer, they will most likely have these obstacle courses, too, such as these dog training Denver pros. Pro Tip: ask your trainer to help set up an at-home obstacle course!

This training game will challenge your dog both physically and mentally. Set up tunnels to crawl through, jumps to leap over, and weave poles to navigate.

Use treats and toys as motivation to guide your dog through the course, rewarding them at each successful completion.

This game will enhance their coordination, agility, and problem-solving skills while keeping them physically active. Get ready for some serious doggy acrobatics!

Let’s tap into their incredible sense of smell:

Find the toy

Dogs have an amazing sense of smell, which we can use to create an engaging training game. Start by having your pup sit and stay.

Show them a toy and let them sniff it. Then, place the dog toy in a different location while your dog watches, and give them the command to find it.

Encourage them to use their nose to track the toy, and when they successfully locate it, reward them with treats and praise.

This game taps into their scenting abilities and provides mental stimulation, which is paw-some for their overall well-being.

Now, let’s introduce a handy training tool:

Clicker training

Clicker training is a popular and effective method that uses a small handheld device called a clicker to mark desired behaviors. Here’s how it goes: Associate the clicker’s sound with a reward.

Every time you click, follow it up with a treat and praise.

Once your dog understands the connection between the click and the reward, you can use the clicker to mark specific behaviors you want to reinforce.

For example, if you teach your dog to shake hands, click and treat them as soon as their paw touches your hand.

Clicker training establishes clear communication and enables them to learn new tricks through positive reinforcement.

It was a real game-changer for my friend’s new pup, Reese (named after our favorite chocolate bar because he’s such a sweet little pup)!

Let’s add a twist to the classic game of fetch:

Fetch with a twist

Most dogs go nuts for a game of fetch, but why not spice it up?

Instead of using the same old ball or toy, introduce objects with different textures, shapes, and sizes. Bring out a soft plush toy, a rubber ball, or crinkly object.

Teach your dog to fetch each item on command, rewarding them with treats and praise for successful retrieves.

This training game reinforces the fetch command and encourages your pup to explore and interact with various objects, stimulating their senses and problem-solving skills. Time to fetch some fun!

And finally, let’s expand their vocabulary:

Name that toy

Dogs often have a whole collection of toys, so why not teach them the names of each one? It’s a fun and mentally stimulating activity.

Start by selecting one toy and giving it a specific name, like “ball” or “rope.”

Show the toy to your dog and say its name repeatedly, encouraging them to interact with it. When your dog correctly selects the named toy, reward them with treats and praise.

Gradually introduce new toys and repeat the process, associating each toy with its respective name. This game expands your dog’s vocabulary and strengthens its ability to understand and respond to different commands.

They’ll be toy-naming champs in no time!

And now, let’s get groovy with a dance party:

Dance party

Who says training can’t be fun?

Crank up the tunes and have a dance party with your dog!

Incorporate commands like “spin” or “twirl” into your dance routine, rewarding your pup with treats and praise for following along.

You can even teach them to jump or weave through your legs, adding impressive moves to your dance routine.

This game enhances your dog’s coordination and body awareness and, most importantly, adds great joy and creativity to the training process. Let’s boogie!

Final thoughts on using training games

Training your dog doesn’t have to be a monotonous and tedious task. Infusing your sessions with exciting and interactive games can turn the learning process into a barrel of laughs for you and your furry buddy. 

Remember always to use positive reinforcement techniques, be patient, and, most importantly, have fun! With a dash of creativity and a lot of love, you’ll be amazed at how quickly your dog picks up new tricks and how deepened your bond becomes. So, let the training games begin!

Dan Honkanen is a proud dad and an animal lover. His awwwdorable little black pup is Murphy. Dan works with Dion Studinksi at Ancillary K9. The team has had dogs in their lives since childhood and can solve any problems your dog presents.