What are some fun games that could be used to challange a dog class with ppl at begginer & intermidate levels?

Question

hi all, I will be participating in creating a "games" class at my local dog club. The goal is to come up with games where we can split the participants into groups and have contests that challange the dogs and handlers to work together. The dogs in the class will range from begginner to intermidate as far as training goes. We want everyone to be able to participate, and we want it to be a fun brake from normal obedience. I'm not a trainer myself, just a helper. Does anyone have any ideas?

Answer 1

We used to play musical chairs with the dogs. Play music and the dogs will walk around in a circle. The music will stop and the last dog standing is out. (Either with sit or down). The dog that was out created a distraction for the other dogs for the rest of the game. That dog would sit in the middle in stay while the other dogs walked around it in the circle. More and more dogs would be put in the middle as the game went on.

Also dog races for come. Placing very interesting objects in the path or off to the side of the dog. Tell the dog to sit and then come to the owner. The dog that came straight to the owner in the fastest amount of time won.

Also simon says. Simon says sit. Down. Simon says leave it (placing a treat on the floor in front of the dog). Stay.. Simon says stay. Simon says take it...etc etc.

Good Luck

Answer 2

Here's a game that enforces the dog's ability to do a recall:
Form teams of two handlers and one dog. Spread the handlers approx 25-30 feet apart (facing each other). The first handler has the dog at heel position. The first handler is wearing an extra t-shirt or sweatshirt. At the sound of the whistle, the first handler removes the t-shirt and puts it on the dog. When the dog is wearing the t-shirt, the second handler calls the dog. When the dog crosses the line where the second handler is, the handler removes the t-shirt from the dog and puts it on himself. The dog is called to heel position and the course is completed. The first team to complete the course is the winner.
You can try this with different garments or multiple garments.

Answer 3

We play lots of games in our training classes - my favorite is Sit Happens. Students stand in some kind of formation (ours are in a "U" around the room). Dogs need to be standing, too; not necessarily in place, but not lying down or sitting. The first student has her dog sit; as soon as that dog sits, the next one goes, etc. until the end. Kind of like dominoes - one starts the chain reaction. This is timed. We do it several times, trying to get faster each time. You certainly could have the dogs get into a sit from the down position if the participants are more skilled.

We got this game and many others from Terry Ryan's book Games People Play (I think that's the title). Go to dogwise.com - there are a number of books on training games.

Answer 4

You could try some easier obstacle courses and do individual races or do them in a couple different groups to see which dog ( or group of them) has the best time. And for prizes, may I suggest a nice little toy that will last a long time(e.i. the Kong Toys. They are very solid rubber and are good for the dogs to chew on.) or small bag of dog treats, or even a gift certificate ($5 is a good price) for a Petsmart store or something. Be creative!

Answer 5

A couple of games we've played at class Christmas parties:

Weiner race - dogs at one end, people at the other end, weiners in the middle. Which dogs will do the fastest recalls?

Show Me The Money - $5 taped to the floor at one end of the room, handler sends dog from behind a line and tells him to sit when he gets out. Dog that sits closest to target wins the bill. (Variation on Utility Send Away).

Musical Spots - similar to musical chairs, dogs/handlers heeling outside area, when music stops must rush to spot (tape on floor) and have dog sit. Tape spots removed as game progresses.

Dumbbell Toss - this one's for the handlers only, trying to toss the dumbbell into a small box or hit a target on the floor.

Answer 6

i assist in a training class. one game we played was during our loose leash walking work. (if you are training off leash then this wouldn't work and it might also be a little beginner for some) anyway, we had the owners hold the leash in one hand and in the other hand they had to balance a ball or something on a wooden spoon (like that old balance the egg race) they then had to weave around various obstacles with their dog walking closely on a loose leash (we hadn't made it to "heel" yet) and not lose the "egg" off the spoon. not sure if this is the kind of thing you had in mind, but it was a lot of fun!

Answer 7

What i generally do: a million. Abuse as you are able to. 2. harm up by kicking on the *** hollow of your f*king lady pal. 3. bathroom as your dogs do. 4. Please do not learn in this time. 5. objective the lady neighbour of your place and supply her a ********.