What are some non-aggressive games i can play with my puppy?
Posted on Jan 31, 2009 under games |Tug of war was a game I use to play with him, but he has now started to nip an tug at my step-son. So, I am looking for another game.I have tried fetch, but he does not bring the toy back. Any other games? He is a lab mix(terrier we think).Thanks, for your suggestion.
Hmm… Checkers?
Haha, no, unlikely. But I've had the same problem with my lab mix. I resorted to fetch as well, but I didn't give up when she didn't bring it back. So what we did was introduce her to happy praise. If she didn't come back when we called her, then we would bring a treat out and bribe her to come back. If she dropped the toy and ran after the treat, we would have someone get her attention to run back to the toy and carry it back (even if it meant picking her up and putting the toy in her mouth until we reached the other person with the treat), and then we would let her drop the toy and take the treat. Eventually she understood, and no biting occurred.
If, however, you just don't want to do fetch, then try running with the dog on a long leash. The same dog I was talking about loved to jump up and try to play with the flying leash. However, she did scratch with her claws and maybe nip at the fingers, so maybe it wouldn't be such a good thing for you.
Here's another idea: sock spider! Tie two socks together (I know a spider has eight legs, but let's just let this deformed one have four) and swing it back and forth on the floor (you may want to use tube socks or something long because the puppy may go after your hand if he's more interested. You can also play tug of war with the sock spider, but that's become a problem for you, obviously.
Also, about the nipping from the puppy: if you ever do catch the puppy nipping (with dogs you HAVE to catch them in the act or they will have no idea why you've suddenly decided to get strict), then stop him and tap him with the back of your fingers under their chin. Not too hard because it's just a puppy and don't wait, not a second, because puppies have shorter attention spans than toddlers. If the puppy forgets what he was doing, then punishing him will do no good.
Alright, if I have any other ideas, then I'll have to come back and edit my answer, but that's all I can think of for now, so good luck and have fun with the puppy!
By UniversalGalaxy on Jan 31, 2009 | Reply
Hmm… Checkers?
Haha, no, unlikely. But I've had the same problem with my lab mix. I resorted to fetch as well, but I didn't give up when she didn't bring it back. So what we did was introduce her to happy praise. If she didn't come back when we called her, then we would bring a treat out and bribe her to come back. If she dropped the toy and ran after the treat, we would have someone get her attention to run back to the toy and carry it back (even if it meant picking her up and putting the toy in her mouth until we reached the other person with the treat), and then we would let her drop the toy and take the treat. Eventually she understood, and no biting occurred.
If, however, you just don't want to do fetch, then try running with the dog on a long leash. The same dog I was talking about loved to jump up and try to play with the flying leash. However, she did scratch with her claws and maybe nip at the fingers, so maybe it wouldn't be such a good thing for you.
Here's another idea: sock spider! Tie two socks together (I know a spider has eight legs, but let's just let this deformed one have four) and swing it back and forth on the floor (you may want to use tube socks or something long because the puppy may go after your hand if he's more interested. You can also play tug of war with the sock spider, but that's become a problem for you, obviously.
Also, about the nipping from the puppy: if you ever do catch the puppy nipping (with dogs you HAVE to catch them in the act or they will have no idea why you've suddenly decided to get strict), then stop him and tap him with the back of your fingers under their chin. Not too hard because it's just a puppy and don't wait, not a second, because puppies have shorter attention spans than toddlers. If the puppy forgets what he was doing, then punishing him will do no good.
Alright, if I have any other ideas, then I'll have to come back and edit my answer, but that's all I can think of for now, so good luck and have fun with the puppy!
References :
By KSE_CHIK on Jan 31, 2009 | Reply
how abooout…
flyball? all thought that does require a fetching skill, it can be tought.
or theres agility classes.
or obedience training.
your dog maybe experiencing a couped up stress.
let them get it out.
References :