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Dog game suggestions?

viva

Veteran

So, weird topic for a fashion forum, I know.

You are all aware that I am on a work travel tear right now, and there is no end in sight: I arrive home today, and then head out again Monday, and I'll be gone for the next three weeks almost entirely.

My dog is very sad. When he saw me bring down my suitcase on Wednesday, he ran out of the house and would not come back in. It really broke my heart. When I am home I am usually working on the non-travel project stuff, so frankly there has not been much doggy time. (I am not exercising either.) An occasional walk, maybe.

I've opened up a few free hours this weekend and definitely want to do a long walk with the pups and DH. But does anyone have any suggestions for doggy games? I think my dog really wants to PLAY. He can fetch, but he hasn't learned the frisbee.

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23 replies

Latest reply was from Jane

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yorkie Sam plays ALL DAY long. The only thing he loves as much as his toys are his walks. I'm sure that some walks and lots of weekend attention from you is all your pups want, Viv.

rachylou

Veteran

Lilypup loves 'search'. We started with hiding treats, but she's worked her way up to scented q-tip tips. They call it Nosework and people compete in it like agility. Lily doesn't like the competitions tho.

viva

Veteran

I think you're right, Angie, but I'd love to have some tricks up my sleeve. Definitely going to play "search," Rachylou (and Lilypup) -- thank you!

carter

Veteran

Izzy's favorite games: tug-o-war, the hair dryer game (when I'm drying my hair she rushes in to dance on her hind legs so I can blow dry her belly), fetch, chase (which inevitably turns into rocket dog), tackle the kitty, wrestling (aka licking to death) my son, steal daddy's sock, and finally, make-mama-guess-what-I-want-now.

Natalie

I find that teaching tricks (either in a class or out of a book) is a good way to bond with my Gracie. She gets time with me, thinking time (which works her brain, like Nosework does), and treats! I've taught Gracie (for example) to shake, spin, roll-over, crawl, and jump through a hoop. We're working on walking around me and weaving through my legs.

Anonymous

I hide treats throughout the house for her to find. She loves this game because she gets rewarded in the end. I also play keep away with her, first I chase her and then she chases me. But what she ultimately loves is chasing a "red" laser light. I take her outside after dark and shine the red light on the lawn for her to chase and she loves it. And for whatever reason, my dog loves "gloves" especially when you are wearing them. She pulls them off and then hides them. We got her her own pair of heavy duty work gloves and then she attacks them when we put them on our hands. Once she pulls them off, she hides them.

Aida

Veteran

My kitty does the same when he sees us take out suitcases and we're gone far less than you are (almost never these days since he's quite old; we now have a sitter come stay with him). Such a sad reaction, isn't it! No tips as I've never had dogs, but you have my sympathy. I do know that my sister's dog feels down when sis is away (every couple months for 7-10 days), and she gets most of her sad energy out on walks and tug of war with a too-big-for-her rope.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

viva- I'm assuming there are others home still but your pup just misses you explicitly -- maybe you can consider a dog sitter that will come to visit and take the pup outside for play and treats a couple of times during the times you are away? We used to hire a cat sitter to do this so our cat wouldn't be lonely.

Colette

Veteran

Find the treat is Ginger's favorite game. Actually, anything involving treats is Ginger's favorite game. I just taught her 'run around' in which she runs in a circle around the ottoman, sits in front of me, and then gets a treat.

Helen11

Veteran

I've started taking the dogs for a 'sniff' around the block. It's not exercise for me, there are so many interesting smells for them, they must think a lot on the way. Otherwise my girl likes squeaky toys. They give her more pleasure than a cafe coffee gives me, for the same cost. And last only marginally longer!

Helen11

Veteran

And it must be hard for all of you to have so much travel time. Living out at a suitcase is not as fun as it sounds!!

Mann

I also do nosework with my dog (like rachylou suggested). Other than tug and fetching some toys, another game my dog very much loves is a hide and seek game. I play either by myself (put him to wait somewhere and go hide in the house, and then call him to come find me), or if my husband is around, we take turns hiding: my husband hides somewhere while I ask the dog to do fun little tricks (for treat crumbs), and then ask the dog to "go to DH". And my husband will do the same. Or if we are in the yard or just don't feel like hiding, we'll ask the dog to run between the two of us (using the "go to DH", "go to Mann" commands). He seems to really enjoy it. It's silly, but me and DH get a huge kick out of it too :).

Cerinda

Veteran

If he likes balls and has a good stay, maybe teaching him "Find" indoors then outdoors. My pups found this easier than real nosework. And adding to his repertoire of tricks.

Travel really stinks sometimes.

Anonymous

Some dogs play alone with their toys but for some it's more about the interaction. I'm not sure how I'd describe the games I play with my dog but they all evolved from observing events that he thought were exciting and refining them into something playable.

For example, he used to run away with my gloves, and because he'd swallowed them a few times, I would run after him and insist he give it back. Now, I throw a sock with a squeaker toy in and pretend that I really want it back while also giving him sit, drop and down commands. And treats.

I think texstyle's idea about hiring a dog walker is excellent too, he'll enjoy it and it would take some of the pressure off of you.

Brooklyn

Veteran

I also teach my dog tricks. She can do sit, stay, rollover, walk backwards, combat crawl, spin, high five, bow. It's great bonding time and also quite tiring for them (I think because of the mental focus required). My dog loves it. I either give her treats as a reward or give her her squeaky toy (and play with her) as a reward for when she performs the trick right. I picked up the squeaky toy thing from a TV show about airport sniffer dogs. That's what they do with sniffer dogs to reward them for finding drugs! Dogs love a play!

viva

Veteran

Thanks everyone. We don't have a dogwalker but we do send them to daycare at least once a week, which is a really long playday, and since we have two dogs they play together at home. But DH is pretty practical when it comes to dog interaction and I do think they miss the kind of interaction they have with me. I really appreciate these ideas. I've used a few (find-the-treat and working on some tricks) to make things more interesting this weekend, along with a very long walk. Your support and ideas help a lot.

xx

Carla

Veteran

After all the play, there is nothing like a good brush down and some serious attention to rubbing ears!

RoseandJoan

Veteran

Ruby loves if you hide her favourite ball within a scrunched up blanket, she will dig the ball out then excitedly bark for the ball to be covered again. I now have blankets like Swiss cheese but you cannot put a price on happiness.

catgirl

Veteran

Do you have a friend with a dog? Honestly our dog's favorite thing (like kids) is another dog. If you and your friend can walk the dogs off-leash together, everyone will be happy.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Now you will know that I don't know much about dogs. Does it help or hurt to Skype with them?
Our friend used to play hide and seek with his dog. After a while he even hid in the bathtub and in a closet. I should mention the dog was little.

rachylou

Veteran

Lilypup for one doesn't get it - lack of smell, I think - altho she'll look askance at the iPhone. So typical. Of course the iPhone. She would be abandon me in an instant for a life with an architect...

Anonymous

Doggy daycare with other dogs could help. Mags always comes home worn out but happy. We have one that will take dogs for a half day which is plenty for her.
Mags also likes toys that a treat can be hidden inside and will bring them by name for a treat. Running up and down stairs is all other idea. Hide and seek where you hide and call the dog, who has to look for you is a good game. Outside in summer, Mags like to chase the water stream from the hose.

Jane

Veteran

It's tough keeping a balance time wise between all the different demands on time.

I would also try teaching a few tricks and long lasting chews. Our dogs find it so rewarding to do tricks. Truffle our black lab can do a high five. Porridge isn't quite so gifted but she is learning to wink!

The day care sounds good.

I was really resistant to a dog walker, it just seemed so decadent. However, it has worked out well for us and the dogs. Our first dog walker liked our dogs, but our second, Nadine, adores them and it's mutual!

Dogs are very loving and as far as I can see, live in the moment. I wouldn't feel guilty at all. They love you and really that's what dogs want with a bit of food, a few walks and a comfy bed.

I hope you find a solution that suits you