Games People Play With Their Dogs

Games People Play With Their Dogs

Dog flirt poles are a very old invention, dating back to the 18th century. They’re actually quite simple: you rig up a long piece of plastic pipe with a hook on the end and a small line through it on the other side.

The idea is to hang your dog in front of your face and look at them as you walk past. Your dog would get so worked up that they would make themselves into an unyielding barrier between you and your potential romantic interest (or whatever) and thus keep you from getting too far ahead of yourself.

Seeing as there are now so many versions of these devices floating around the internet, I thought it’d be fun to build my own version from scratch since I already had all the materials needed for this one.

Dogs are animals that love to socialize not only with each other, but also with humans. As a result, the best way to build a relationship and understand the needs of your pet is through playing.

There are numerous games to play with your dog, according to age, and preferences. It is up to you to find the ones that your pet loves most.

Benefits of Playing

It is extremely important to understand that the dog needs your attention and love in order to develop beautifully. This is why you need to engage in playing and through it to encourage mental and physical growth.

Furthermore, the breed influences the way the dog reacts, and you need to channel its energy towards constructive behavior. Here are the major benefits that positive playing brings for your dog:

  • it stimulates its nose;
  • it introduces the dog to the objects in the house;
  • it helps it focus better;
  • it learns the basic commands.

Dogs love to track, and the scent can help them identify a treat easily. In order to stimulate the nose in a fun manner, you can hide treats around the house, and encourage your pet to find them. In order to make things even more challenging, you can build obstacles. Remember that the most delicious treat must be the hardest to find.

You can use containers and boxes so the dog can either push them or jump over them. This is a great way to help the dog build confidence by encourage it to solve an issue by itself. Keep in mind that you need to stay close to your pet and encourage it along the way. Playing with your pet outside, should imply a lot of running. At the same time, you can combine physical exercises with the ones that stimulate the mind.

Benefits of Playing
Source: unsplash.com

The best way to do it is to rub a stuffed animal with the dog’s favorite treat and to tie it on a long stick. Show it to your pet and achieve eye contact. Encourage it to get it, but not through running. Start with slow moves, and stop from time to time. In order to be able to do it, you need to be in total control. You can alternate running with walking, for the best results.

Enjoying quality time with the dog means much more than using toys. At the same time, they can turn out to be pretty expensive. You can avoid overspending if you rely on your imagination. If you start using chairs and tables, or even the couch for an agility course, the dog will get accustomed to them, and this will prevent chewing.

Furthermore, you can build toys for your pet quite easy. Instead of purchasing one, try giving it an empty plastic bottle. It is advisable to opt for water bottles, as the ones that contain juice can leave stains on the carpet once the dog manages to puncture it. To make things even more exciting, and to help it focus better in order to solve a problem, you can add some treats inside the bottle.

Discipline is the first thing to teach your dog, and this needs to be done from a young age. Puppies can learn their name by hiding from them and calling them by their name. Other commands that can be learned through playing are stay and come. You need to start with baby steps and stay relatively close to the dog when you teach it.

Once it obeys them, you can increase the distance and go to a different room, or hide behind a tree if you are outside. In order to be effective, it is important to avoid saying the commands more than once. Be patient, and leave your pet figure out the next moves by its own. It will be more and more fun, once it gets accustomed to them.

Getting Ready

dog gettiung ready to play

A successful playing experience requires prior preparation. This means that you need to respond to your dog’s reactions in a productive manner. Here are the basic rules that each pet owner needs to know:

  • make sure that the toys you use for playing can be taken away from your dog easily, in case it does not know yet the leave command;
  • avoid aggressive wrestling, or games that make the dog go out of control, especially if you wish to teach it new tricks;
  • it is better to prevent your dog from jumping, unless the game requires it, thus it is better to keep the treats and toys at waist level;
  • make time for daily play, and have fun even when you take your dog out for a walk;
  • schedule various playing sessions each day;
  • end a playing session when your dog is still active;
  • encourage your dog during each playing session through praise;
  • always start the play when your dog behaves in a proper manner in order to develop a good and obedient behavior;
  • always clean the toys after the playing sessions;
  • avoid pushing your dog to play when it is not in the mood;
  • feel as eager as your pet to have fun.

Playing With the Puppy

All puppies love to play, and for them, this is a way to discover the world. It is your duty, as a pet owner, to make the best of this time. Furthermore, it is important to acknowledge that this is the time when they develop habits, that can turn out to be less or more destructive in the future.

This is why you need to teach the puppy what it is allowed to do, and what it is forbidden. If you let it run on its own all the time, it will be harder to discipline it later. Playing can never start too early, either. Here’s a great article on the importance of puppy socialization.

Here are the major rules that you must consider when you play with your puppy.

HOW TO PLAY WITH PUPPIES
DO’S DON’TS
Distract the puppy if it becomes too aggressive with a toy. Keep playing with the puppy if it becomes aggressive.
Use water, or strong noise (like an alarm) to correct a bad behavior. Respond aggressively to a hostile behavior.
Put pressure on the harness or leash when the puppy does something bad, or does not respond to the commands. Stay on the ground level when playing, as this can make the puppy overreact.
Make fetching games fun, by incorporating treats. Mimic the puppy’s gestures when playing.
Stimulate the mind of the puppy by introducing it to encouraging games, like pursuits.
Mix playing with training.

Games to Play Inside

Games to Play Inside
Source: unsplash.com

Rainy days can be very boring, not only for you, but also for your pet. This is why you need to know that there are several fun games to play with your dog inside. A great way to help it consume its energy is through stairway dash. The rules are very simple, and this exercise is extremely exciting for the pet. Just remember to get started at the bottom, in order to avoid putting too much pressure on the joints. Tell your dog to sit and throw a ball on top of the stairs.

You can increase the enthusiasm by not allowing it to run after it immediately. Tell it to get ready several times, and only after say the go command. While it will run directly to get the toy, do not rush it to come back. Instead, let it descend on its own pace. If it gets too anxious to come down, encourage a slow return. Ten repetitions are more than enough to exhaust your pet.

Tag you’re it is another fun game that can be played in the house. Furthermore, it can be played together with the whole family. You and another person (or persons) playing have to get several treats and to stay in different corners of the room. This is a game that can be played in the whole house, so remember to leave the doors open and adjust the furniture if needed. Call the dog and give it a treat as soon as it reaches you. The next person should do the same thing.

While the dog runs for its treat, you need to go in a different corner and call it again. As the game evolves, move further from the dog and make it find you. In order to make things even more exciting, you can call your dog, and as soon as it spots you to start running. This is a great physical exercise for both of you.

Building an obstacle course can be really fun, and it has multiple benefits. It stimulates both the mind and the body. At the same time, it boosts your creativity, and as it implies a bit of preparation, it will occupy most of the rainy day.

In order to build it, you can use the items from your house, like chairs, milk crates, boxes, baskets, and anything you can think of that could make things exciting for your pet. Once you are done creating the obstacles, you can encourage the dog to run through each of them.

The rewards should consist of praises and treats. It is important to put emphasis on the fun aspect rather than on the challenging part. It must be only as hard as your dog can handle. You can also use its favorite toys to encourage it to move them from a place to another.

Besides loyal companions, dogs can also be a helpful hand. Clean-up time is a fun game through which you can teach your dog to put its toys in a specific place, preferably a basket. The first thing that you need to do is to introduce it to the command put it away. This means that you must encourage it to pick the toy up and carry it to the basket.

Though it may sound hopeless to achieve, with a bit of practice, nothing is impossible. When the dog is familiar with the commands, you can scatter the toys in the room and tell it to put them in the right place. It is advisable to start with a smaller surface, and gradually cover multiple rooms. This game can get even more exciting if you start hiding them.

Games to Play Outside

Games to Play Outside
Source: unsplash.com

As it was mentioned above, playing outside does not only mean to let your pet run freely. You need to engage it in fun activities, and through them to develop a desirable behavior. Dogs like to chase things and bubbles can be a great way to mimic a predatory attitude. They will love to observe, chase and hunt down the passing colorful bubbles. It is important to know that you need to purchase products that are pet-safe, in order to avoid intoxication due to accidental ingestion.

This game can be interchanged with a fetch session, to make things even more exciting. However, it is important to know that though sticks tend to be the most natural option, they can be dangerous, as they can cause lacerations, or digestive obstructions. As a result, you better bring some old toys in the park with you and keep it safe for your pet.

Frisbee is another game that can train the dog’s agility. In this case, your pet will be able to catch the saucer in midair. There are various discs available, according to the pet’s type, weight and agility. Playing with water is extremely fun, especially during long and hot summer days. You can play either at home with a sprinkle, or you can visit a canine-friendly beach.

Want to see if your pooch is up for a game of catch? Check out our article on the best frisbee dog breeds in the world.

In both cases, the dog will enjoy running through water together with you. It is also good to know that there are toys specially designed for the hot weather that can be filled with water, for extra freshness.

Sniff the toy is an interactive game that tests the agility of your dog. In this case, you need to hide the toy somewhere in the back yard. Show it to your pet and make it sit. After you place it somewhere safe, release the dog and encourage it to find it. You can increase the difficulty gradually to prevent boredom.

If you’re looking for other games you can enjoy with your dog, here’s a great list of the coolest dog toys you could add to your dog’s toy bin.

Safety Tips

Safety Tips
Source: unsplash.com

In order to enjoy a fun playing session, you need to consider your pet’s safety. Signs like fatigue and heavy breathing indicate it’s time to stop. This is why it is better to schedule playing periods between 5 to 30 minutes. Here are some helpful tips that you need to know to be able to protect your pet:

  • dogs cannot sweat, as a result they cannot cool off. This means that you need to give it water, or ensure access to water during the playing session. Signs like heavy panting or glassy eyes are indicators of heat stress, thus you need to stop and to take it to a cool place inside the house;
  • the daily exercise routine needs to be built gradually. It is not recommended to exaggerate with tough games, as they can lead to injuries like torn ligaments.
  • puppies are frail, thus they require extra care. To be more exact, it is mandatory to avoid exercises that have high-impact on the spine as they can affect the growth. In their case, jumping and sustained running are out of the question.
  • old dogs, those that have physical problems or are out of shape require a prior visit to the veterinarian before starting a game routine. It is better to see which moves are healthy and which need to be avoided in order to prevent major injuries.

Dogs, just like humans, require balanced food and exercise in order to be healthy. The best way to make your pet move is through playing. As it was presented above, there are various games that can be played inside and outside.

It is up to you to find the ones that your dog enjoys. Also remember that you need to plan each playing session in advance and to watch out for any signs of fatigue. With a bit of discipline, you can both have fun while working out the muscles and joints. Just remember that you must not force your pet to do something that it is not comfortable with.

What is Dog Flirt Pole?

Dog flirt poles
Source: k9ofmine.com

The Dog Flirt Pole is a tool you can use to hold your dog’s collar in place while it is doing its business and then use it as an aid to exercise your dog.

It came about after a series of personal experiences with my dog and the fact that I constantly had to stop my dog’s poo train, take his leash and turn him around in order to get him to go poop.

The idea is that, instead of having both hands free, I could have my leash held by the Dog Flirt Pole in one hand and use the other hand to hold my dog.

The Dog Flirt Pole was invented by myself and is called the “Dog Flirt Pole”. I started working on it as a way of helping myself keep a good grip on my dog when he had an accident.

I was also interested in using this product as a way of training puppies so they would know how to get themselves out of trouble instead of running off into bushes when they escape from their owners.

The Dog Flirt Pole has been designed with all types of dogs in mind: large, small dogs, German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Springer Spaniels (my own dog), small-breed dogs such as pugs and terriers (my favorite breed), shy dogs such as Yorkies (I have three Yorkies), Labs, Bulldogs (they are amazing), extreme breed dogs such as Rottweilers (I have 3 Rottweilers) or purebred Pit Bulls (I have 3). I’ve also been asked if I could make it for cats!

How to Make Dog Flirt Pole?

dog playing with flirt poles
Source: etsy.com

The Dog Flirt Pole (also known as Doggie Flirt Pole) is a relatively simple DIY craft project, which is not too difficult to master. The pole is made of 1/4 inch PVC pipe with two curved pieces of 2×3 inch oak or pine boards nailed on the ends.

The main attraction here is the fact that it’s light enough to be carried around and used almost anywhere.

It’s also easy enough to make, so you can do it by yourself.

The material and tools required are as follows:

• PVC Pipe: $1.80 (2in x 4in)

• Sand Paper: $0.25 (for sanding)

• Glue: $1 (glue gun)

• Wire: $0.20 (for wire cutting)

• Pine wood stakes: $1 ($1 each, 3 per board)

• Magnifying Glass: $0.20 ($0.10 each, 6 per magnifying glass). These are available at a variety of hardware stores or online retailers such as Amazon and Lowes.

Almost all the items are available for purchase for less than half the price at home depot or other hardware store branches or online stores such as Amazon, Lowes, Home Depot, etc… You can also buy them from Amazon in bulk at a discounted price.

I used 2×4 boards from Home Depot. You’ll also need 4-inch-long oak sticks to hold up the pipes in place on each end of the pole once it has been joined together. Be sure to label each stick with your name so you know which one belongs to which side of the pole when you remove it from its pack!

How to make a Dog Flirt Pole? Step 1 – Use PVC Pipe Cut two pieces of PVC pipe 3-inches long with a right angle between them and a right angle at either end.

Cut some small slits at intervals along this length using a wire cutter, then screw them together using screws 1/2″ in diameter & 3″ apart across both ends of the pipe piece being joined together onto itself to form an “X” shape over the top edge until its finished length is about 6 inches long, then cut off any excess off one end like shown below:

Benefits of Dog Flirt Pole

Do you want to get a dog, but don’t have a yard? Do you want a dog but don’t have a yard? If so, then getting your new pet is the right time to start building it. First things first: make sure the dog you are picking up is happy and healthy.

The next step is to pick an appropriate place for it to live. There are many different ways to get a dog, and some of them are cheaper than others. We can help you understand which one (or ones) will work best for your situation.

With that understood, let’s talk about how we can make this puppy feel like family by giving him access to the only place he has really ever belonged, with the only people he has ever truly known – his owners!

We can provide all of the basic necessities for keeping a dog happy on site: food, bedding, water, medication, and toys or exercise equipment.

As your pup grows up in our company and lives through his entire life within our walls (read: not being killed by other dogs), we will take care of him until he gets too old for the regular day-to-day care and we think he is ready for retirement when he reaches his senior years (we don’t plan on selling him as pets forever). We will even pay housing costs while he is at our place!

This includes everything needed to keep him safe and comfortable while living with us – in addition to all of the above!

And if that isn’t enough motivation on its own, consider that this puppy was once homeless too. He was rescued, nursed back to health until he was old enough (and fit enough) for adoption then fostered until he could find his own home where he could be part of one family who loved him as much as they did when they got him in their care!

That was an incredible journey – it only makes sense that yours would be just as special too!

As always, we hope you enjoy this post from MacRumors Labs. If you have any thoughts on what should be included or what could be improved please send us an email at [email protected].

Tips on Using Dog Flirt Pole

Flirt Pole for Dogs
Source: outwardhound.com

A dog flirt pole is a dog toy usually used as a form of training and to play with your dog. It’s also a tool for people who want to teach their dogs tricks or basic obedience tricks.

This post shares some tips on how to make the best use of this great little toy.

Good Dog Flirt Pole – DIY Dog Flirt Pole

1. You will need a metal rod, steel pipe or metal angle (I used angle at home), and a small piece of metal (in this case, I used an old screw).

2. Cut the metal rod into 8 parts (there’s no need to do more than that). I found that if you put all pieces together you can easily cut the end off by hand but it’s not necessary – just make sure you have enough length left to get around your dog’s collar if needed.

3. Attach the piece of metal to one end of the rod (you don’t need any adhesive here). The rod should be long enough so your dog can comfortably reach it from his side without having to bend over for it – about 2-4 feet long is about right for most dogs. If there is any length left after attaching it, then cut off any extra that you don’t really need (this may take a bit of fiddling), or just hang it on your wall by using Velcro ties if you have enough space for it.

4. Next we will attach the other part of the rod: put one end into the hole in your dog’s collar and pull down on it until you hear something snap – then turn your dog upside down and pull up again – this should make him wag his tail as he curiously looks at what has happened – then repeat this couple of times until he gradually stops looking at you and starts watching what happens instead; eventually, he will be wearing himself out in no time!

As soon as he starts wagging his tail like that I know he’s ready for more work with me! In addition, it may help if I give him treats when we get into trouble because they are tasty too! If he knows where I put them when I give them out, they will be more likely to come back when they are needed next! If anything goes wrong with my instructions here please let me know in the comments below so that I can improve them.

Conclusion

It’s been a busy year for the dog flirt pole DIY community. In the 2016 edition of this column, we brought you all about our first dog flirt pole DIY-related product and launched a new site, as well as featured a few projects from the community in this issue. We also gave our readers (and dog flirts) some insights into the state of their flirting careers and we gave some updates on our own projects.

We got to talk with many people about their work and there was some great insight into what it’s like to work in the dog flirt pole DIY industry, both from people who have been working there for years, as well as from people who just started out in this field recently.