Games to play with your dog

Sniffing, tugging, chasing and puzzling: 75 games sorted by what your dog loves, with rules that keep play safe.

75 guides

Body and fitness

Strength, balance and coordination games: cone weaving, balance cushions, poles and low jumps. Gentle on joints and good for the brain.

9 games

Game · 10 min

Cone weaving for dogs: how to play

Weave your dog through a line of cones, like agility weave poles but slower and wider. Great for body awareness and focus.

Game · 5 min

Figure-eight leg weave for dogs: how to play

Your dog weaves in a figure eight through your legs, then while you walk. A crowd-pleasing trick and a gentle full-body stretch.

Game · 5 min

Cushion balance for dogs: how to play

Your dog stands with front paws, then all four, on a sofa cushion. Small wobbles build core strength.

Game · 5 min

Perch pivot for dogs: how to play

Front paws on a low box, back paws step around in a circle. Teaches your dog their back end exists.

Game · 5 min

Cavaletti walk for dogs: how to play

Walk your dog over low poles laid on the ground. Lifts the feet, builds coordination and is kind on joints.

Game · 5 min

Back it up for dogs: how to play

Teach your dog to walk straight backwards. Builds hind-leg strength and rear-end awareness.

Game · 15 min

Low jump course for dogs: how to play

A mini agility course with jumps at wrist height, a tunnel and a pause box. Fun, fast and gentle on joints.

Game · 5 min

Commando crawl for dogs: how to play

Your dog crawls along on their belly under a low bar or your legs. Hard work for the core and front legs.

Game · 5 min

Wobble board for dogs: how to play

A board balanced on a ball that tips a little when your dog steps on. Builds confidence on moving surfaces.

Calm and low energy

Quiet games for winding down, rest days, seniors, recovery, and dogs who can't see or hear well. Licking, chewing, sniffing and gentle touch.

10 games

Game · 10 min

Lick mat for dogs: how to play

Spread soft food on a textured mat and let your dog lick it clean. Repetitive licking is soothing for many dogs.

Game · 15 min

Chew time for dogs: how to play

A quiet chew in a comfy spot. Chewing is a natural way for dogs to relax and settle.

Game · 10 min

Settle on a mat for dogs: how to play

Reward calm on a mat: lying down, then hip rolled, then head down. Teaches relaxation as a skill.

Game · 10 min

Massage time for dogs: how to play

Slow strokes from head to tail while your dog lies on their bed. A calm bonding moment and a weekly lump-and-bump check.

Game · 5 min

Chin rest for dogs: how to play

Your dog rests their chin in your hand or on a towel and holds still. A calm game that makes care like eye drops easier.

Game · 10 min

Crate rest menu for dogs: how to play

A rota of still, quiet activities for dogs on crate rest after surgery or injury: sniffing, licking and gentle brain games.

Game · 5 min

Senior scent cups for dogs: how to play

Three cups, one treat, nose only. A slow, low-impact brain game sized for older dogs.

Game · 10 min

Scent path for blind dogs for dogs: how to play

A trail of treats along a familiar route, with a sound or smell at the end. Builds confidence and joy for dogs who can't see well.

Game · 5 min

Thumbs-up game for deaf dogs for dogs: how to play

Teach a visual marker, a thumbs up, that means 'yes, treat coming'. Then use it to play any training game in silence.

Game · 10 min

Watch the world for dogs: how to play

Sit together somewhere calm, like a bench or doorstep, and let your dog just watch life go by. Reward calm looking.

Outdoor and water

Games for gardens, trails, water and snow, with weather safety built in.

9 games

Game · 10 min

Paddling pool treasure for dogs: how to play

Float treats and toys in a shallow paddling pool and let your dog fish them out. A cooling summer game.

Game · 15 min

First swim for dogs: how to play

Step by step into calm, shallow water with a life jacket. Never thrown in, always at your dog's pace.

Game · 15 min

Water retrieve for dogs: how to play

Toss a floating toy just out into calm water and let your dog bring it back. For confident swimmers.

Game · 20 min

Ice treasure block for dogs: how to play

Freeze toys and treats in a tub of water or broth. Your dog licks and paws the block to free them. A cool game for hot days.

Game · 15 min

Dig pit for dogs: how to play

A sandpit where digging is allowed. Bury toys and chews and let your dog dig them up.

Game · 45 min

First trail hike for dogs: how to play

A short, easy trail with lots of sniff stops. Builds fitness, confidence and good trail manners.

Game · 10 min

Snow treasure hunt for dogs: how to play

Hide toys and treats in shallow snow and let your dog dig and sniff them out. Short and sweet.

Game · 5 min

Bubble chase for dogs: how to play

Blow dog-safe bubbles and let your dog snap and chase them. Silly, short bursts of play.

Game · 20 min

Parkour walk for dogs: how to play

Turn a walk into an obstacle course: paws up on a bench, around a post, under a rail. Builds confidence and body awareness.

Puzzles and foraging

Food puzzles and foraging games, from a muffin tin and a towel to level 4 puzzle boards. Brain work that also slows down fast eaters.

12 games

Game · 5 min

Muffin-tin puzzle for dogs: how to play

Treats hide in a muffin tin under balls. Your dog works out how to lift each ball off to find the food.

Game · 5 min

Towel burrito for dogs: how to play

Roll treats into a towel like a burrito, fold the ends, and let your dog unroll it to find them.

Game · 10 min

Bottle spinner for dogs: how to play

Empty plastic bottles on a broom handle spin when your dog paws or noses them, and treats fall out.

Game · 10 min

Shred box for dogs: how to play

A cardboard box stuffed with paper and hidden treats that your dog is allowed to rip apart.

Game · 5 min

Egg box crunch for dogs: how to play

Treats tucked in a paper egg box, closed and maybe tied with paper. A quick solo forage for puppies and beginners.

Game · 10 min

How to stuff a Kong: starter recipes for dogs

A food toy loosely filled with kibble and a dab of something tasty. Easy wins that teach your dog to work a stuffed toy.

Game · 20 min

Stuffed Kong: medium for dogs: how to play

Soaked kibble pressed in and sealed with a plug of wet food. Takes most dogs 10 to 20 minutes.

Game · 30 min

Frozen layered Kong for dogs: how to play

A Kong packed in layers and frozen overnight. The toughest food toy: up to 30 to 45 minutes of steady licking.

Game · 10 min

Puzzle toy level 1 for dogs: how to play

A beginner puzzle with one simple move, like nudging lids or tipping a wobble bowl. Teaches your dog that puzzles are solvable.

Game · 10 min

Puzzle toy level 2 for dogs: how to play

A puzzle with two kinds of moves, like sliding a lid and lifting a cone. Your dog combines skills.

Game · 15 min

Puzzle toy level 3 for dogs: how to play

A puzzle that needs moves in a set order: lift a block, then slide a drawer. Real problem-solving.

Game · 15 min

Puzzle toy level 4 for dogs: how to play

The hardest puzzles: several steps, several locks, many wells. For dogs who breeze through level 3.

Sniff and scent

Nose games: finding food, toys and trails. Sniffing is calming, tiring in a good way, and suits every age.

13 games

Game · 5 min

Find it for dogs: how to play

Say "Find it", toss a treat, and let your dog hunt it down. The first scent game every dog should know.

Game · 5 min

Treat scatter for dogs: how to play

Scatter a handful of kibble in the grass or on a rug and let your dog snuffle it up. Simple, calming and great after a busy moment.

Game · 10 min

Snuffle mat dinner for dogs: how to play

Serve dinner hidden in a snuffle mat so your dog sniffs out every piece. Turns a 30-second meal into 10 minutes of nose work.

Game · 8 min

Find it: room search for dogs: how to play

Hide treats around a room while your dog waits, then send them to search. The next step after tossed Find it.

Game · 5 min

Shell game for dogs: how to play

Hide a treat under one of three cups and let your dog choose. A memory and nose game for the kitchen floor.

Game · 3 min

Which hand? for dogs: how to play

Hide a treat in one closed fist and let your dog sniff out the right one. A one-minute game you can play anywhere.

Game · 8 min

Box search for dogs: how to play

Set out a row of cardboard boxes, hide a treat in one, and let your dog find the right box.

Game · 5 min

Towel treasure for dogs: how to play

Hide a treat or toy inside a rolled or knotted towel and let your dog unwrap it.

Game · 5 min

Hot and cold for dogs: how to play

Hide a toy and guide your dog with your voice: quiet when they're far, excited when they're close.

Game · 10 min

Treat trail for dogs: how to play

Lay a trail of tiny treats across the grass that leads to a jackpot. Builds tracking with the nose on the ground.

Game · 20 min

Sniffari walk for dogs: how to play

A slow walk where your dog picks the route and sniffs as long as they like. Many dogs come home calmer than after a fast walk.

Game · 5 min

Name that toy for dogs: how to play

Teach your dog the names of their toys, then ask them to fetch one by name from a pile.

Game · 10 min

Scent cones for dogs: how to play

Hide a treat under one of several cones or pots spread around the yard. The dog must check each one and stop at the right cone.

Training games

Games that build real skills: recall, self-control, settling and listening. Short, upbeat and reward-based.

11 games

Game · 5 min

Recall ping-pong for dogs: how to play

Two people take turns calling your dog back and forth. Every arrival pays, so coming when called becomes the best game in the house.

Game · 10 min

Hide and seek for dogs: how to play

Hide somewhere in the house, call your dog once, and celebrate when they find you. Recall and nose work in one.

Game · 5 min

Red light, green light for dogs: how to play

Walk together on "Green light", freeze into a sit on "Red light". A fun way to practise stopping when excited.

Game · 5 min

1-2-3 pattern walk for dogs: how to play

Count "1, 2, 3" out loud as you walk and drop a treat by your leg on 3. The rhythm helps worried or excitable dogs stay with you.

Game · 5 min

It's Yer Choice for dogs: how to play

Your closed hand full of treats only opens when your dog backs off. Teaches self-control without a word.

Game · 5 min

Crate games for dogs: how to play

The crate door opens, and your dog waits inside until released. Builds a dog who loves the crate and can wait while excited.

Game · 5 min

Mat races for dogs: how to play

Toss a mat on the floor and see how fast your dog can run to it and lie down. A fun way to build a strong 'go to your mat'.

Game · 3 min

Name game for dogs: how to play

Say your dog's name, mark when they look, reward. The quickest way to get a dog who turns to you on the first call.

Game · 5 min

Simon says for dogs: how to play

Ask for cues in a random order, sometimes with a body clue to trick your dog. Teaches your dog to listen to the word, not your movement.

Game · 5 min

Trick roulette for dogs: how to play

Shuffle the tricks your dog knows and let the app pick one at random. Keeps practice fresh and shows which tricks are weak.

Game · 3 min

Position speed rounds for dogs: how to play

Sit, down, stand, sit: how many clean position changes can your dog do in 30 seconds? Puppy push-ups as a race.

Tug and chase

Fast games for tuggers, chasers and retrievers, each with rules that keep play safe and teach self-control.

11 games

Game · 5 min

Tug with rules for dogs: how to play

Tug in four beats: invite, tug, drop it, again. Great exercise and a fun way to practise letting go on cue.

Game · 5 min

Flirt pole for dogs: how to play

Drag a toy on a rope around the yard so your dog can chase it. Lots of exercise in a few minutes, with built-in stops.

Game · 10 min

Two-ball fetch for dogs: how to play

Fetch with two identical balls: when your dog brings one back, the other becomes exciting. No tug-of-war over the ball.

Game · 10 min

Frisbee rollers for dogs: how to play

Roll a soft disc along the ground like a wheel so your dog can chase it. Disc fun with no high jumps.

Game · 5 min

Chase me recall for dogs: how to play

Call your dog's name, then run away. Dogs love to chase, so coming to you becomes the game.

Game · 10 min

Ball launcher, the safe way for dogs: how to play

Use a ball thrower in short, rule-based rounds with breaks, so fetch stays fun and joints stay healthy.

Game · 5 min

Bring it close (keep-away in reverse) for dogs: how to play

Your dog has the toy and wants you to chase? Flip it: run the other way so your dog chases you, and the toy comes to you.

Game · 5 min

Spring pole, with caution for dogs: how to play

A tug toy on a bungee hung from a strong beam. Only for adult dogs, feet on the ground, short sessions, always watched.

Game · 5 min

Tug, sit, tug for dogs: how to play

Switch between wild tug and a calm sit. Teaches your dog to think while excited.

Game · 5 min

Flirt pole wait for dogs: how to play

The lure flies past and your dog holds a wait until you say "Get it". Top-level impulse control.

Game · 5 min

Fetch to hand for dogs: how to play

Teach your dog to put the toy right into your hand. Fewer stand-offs, cleaner fetch, and a useful skill.

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