Dogs are beautiful living creatures that can be raised at home. They are beloved, friendly animals with soft fur, known for their playfulness, love, and affection. Dogs need mental stimulation through engaging games or physical exercise. Therefore, all dog owners should play daily games with their dogs to stimulate their bodies and maintain physical fitness. Additionally, playing with dogs improves their mood, reduces stress, and prevents boredom. Here are the details in this article from teketrek.
What are the Best Games to Stimulate Your Dog’s Mind and Body?
There are many games you can use as entertaining tools to stimulate both the mind and body of your pet dog. These games include:
- Obstacle Course Game: You can create an obstacle course in your backyard by placing various objects from the start to the end of the yard. Then, make your dog walk over, around, and jump across them until reaching the end.
- Cleaning Game: Fill a container larger than your dog’s size with water and soap. Then, prepare some sand and dirt, rub it on the dog’s body, and ask your dog to clean itself. Repeat by applying sand and dirt again, then cleaning. This game is suitable for summer and beach visits.
- Obedience Games: These involve training your dog to respond to commands like “jump,” “run,” “walk,” “shake,” “lie down,” “roll,” “dance,” or “wag tail.” These commands require training until the dog understands and performs them easily.
- Hide and Seek Game: Cover your dog’s eyes with a light cotton blindfold, hide nearby, then call the dog to find you. It’s best to play this game in an empty room free of sharp objects to keep the dog safe.

Games Suitable for Different Dog Sizes
Home games vary based on your dog’s size, age, and weight. Small dog games do not suit large dogs and vice versa, since strong games may hurt small dogs. Here are some examples:
- Games for Large Dogs:
- Swimming: Dogs of all sizes love swimming and playing in water with their owners. Swimming is a light exercise that helps move muscles, stimulate bones, and activate joints. It’s recommended to buy a plastic life vest so the dog can float safely.
- Playground: Set up plastic objects in the garden as a small playground, tie a rope around the dog’s neck, then walk and jump over the objects repeatedly.
- Swimming: Dogs of all sizes love swimming and playing in water with their owners. Swimming is a light exercise that helps move muscles, stimulate bones, and activate joints. It’s recommended to buy a plastic life vest so the dog can float safely.
- Games for Small Puppies:
- Hunting Toys: Soft cotton-filled toys shaped like the puppy’s favorite prey, such as mice, chickens, rabbits, or ducks. Place the toy in front of the puppy to encourage it to catch and explore it.
- Hunting Toys: Soft cotton-filled toys shaped like the puppy’s favorite prey, such as mice, chickens, rabbits, or ducks. Place the toy in front of the puppy to encourage it to catch and explore it.
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How to Choose Safe Toys for Your Dog?
Safe toys are essential to prevent health risks and injuries. To select safe toys:
- Choose toys made from durable and safe materials like rubber, silicone, nylon, and plastic, which withstand chewing without cracking or breaking.
- Avoid toxic or choking hazards by steering clear of toys made from harmful chemicals like PVC or BPA.
- Match the toy size to your dog’s age and size: small, smooth, safe toys for puppies; larger, stronger toys for big dogs to boost muscle and activity.
Best Games to Train Your Dog
Besides fun games, training games help build muscle, stimulate the mind, and enhance activity. Here are the best training games:
- Bubble Chasing Game:
Mix water, a little dish soap, and laundry detergent powder in a deep bowl. Use a 20 cm water hose, dip one end in the mixture, and blow bubbles from the other end. Direct the bubbles near the dog and watch it pop them with its face and paws. Repeat for fun and training. - Interactive Games:
Throw balls or flying discs far away, then have your dog run to fetch and return them. This fetch game activates your dog and provides exercise and enjoyment.

Games That Strengthen Your Bond with Your Dog
Some games help deepen love and warmth between you and your dog:
- Tug of War
- Fetch
- Fast Walking
- Jump Rope
- Hide and Seek
- Bubble Chasing
Conclusion
Dogs are wonderful creatures that enjoy living at home and playing with their owners. They need to walk, jump, run, and perform fast movements, as their bodies do not thrive on inactivity. Thus, it’s important to engage in stimulating games or exercise to keep their minds and muscles active. These games also prevent boredom and depression while improving their mood, health, and emotional well-being.