'Why Should I Teach My Cocker Spaniel Puppy To Play Puppy Games?'
There are a few good reasons why you should teach your puppy to play games:
Puppy playtime can teach control and discipline in a way that's fun for you both and, as an added bonus, playing with your puppy helps to strengthen the bond between dog and owner.
A puppy who is allowed to play (controlled) games regularly will develop into a well-balanced dog who rarely gets bored; a bored Cocker Spaniel can become destructive, developing anti-social chewing behaviours.
Puppy games can help with training and reinforcement of your puppy's learning.
Structured puppy play is also a great way of establishing and reinforcing your status as pack leader.
You can use games as a reward instead of treats; rewarding your puppy with play may also help to stop your puppy becoming overweight.
The Rules Of The Game!
Your puppy's toys can be put into two distinct categories:
pacifier toys, which are toys he can chew and play with on his own, and interactive toys such as balls, ropes, and frisbees - the toys he shares with you.
Your puppy should be free to play with his pacifier toys, but keep the interactive toys hidden away from him. The interactive toys are those you use to initiate play.
Never allow your puppy to initiate puppy playtime - you control when play begins and when it stops; you are the packleader!
Always stop play before your puppy becomes bored - leave him wanting more.
Don't allow your puppy to wander off with the toy when the games are over; he should only be allowed to play with these when you say so - they are your toys!
If your puppy attempts to bite or chew on anything other than his own toys, be sure to take it from him (see the 'Drop It!' command) and immediately replace it with an appropriate toy.
When giving instructions during games, your tone of voice should be firm and low if you are to command your puppy's attention and compliance. A high pitched, excited, squeaky voice will not establish any control - in fact, it will only serve to contribute to your puppy's excitement.
Don't over-excite your puppy during puppy play - an over-excited puppy is not good!
Over-stimulation may be caused by teasing or taunting your puppy with a toy before throwing it to him - for example, dangling the toy above his head, or hiding it behind your back.
Whilst this may seem like fun, a puppy who's taught to play puppy games in this way soon becomes over-stimulated, which only serves to increase his dominance; encouraging him to become more pushy, boistrous, and difficult to control.
The only time when teasing is allowed is if your puppy is timid and shy. Teasing in this way may help to entice him 'out of his shell' and build his confidence, as well as teaching him how to play and have fun!
Don't allow puppy games that involve tug-of-war with your fingers, hands, or clothing - you need to establish that you are his pack leader and not simply a member of his pack.
Don't ever chase, or play similar puppy games, with your dog - find out why here!
Play-fighting is not a good game to play with your dog. It teaches him that it's okay to jump up and wrestle with humans and encourages mouthing, biting, and chasing.
Play fighting puppy games can also provoke leadership challenges, encouraging dominant behaviours in dogs. This can be especialy dangerous in already confident, dominant dogs.
Don't allow your puppy to demand your attention. If he displays attention-seeking behaviour, ignore him - attention should be given only on your terms.
Teaching Him To Play Puppy Games
Your puppy must learn that he is to sit and wait before he's allowed to play games - this discipline establishes control and helps to reinforce his obedience training.
You can teach your Cocker Spaniel puppy the rules by using the following commands:
'Sit!' and 'Wait!' - your puppy is not allowed to play with the toy until you give him the relevant command;
'Off!' - there's no jumping or leaping allowed, if he does either of these, give the 'Off!' command and stop play for a couple of minutes;
'Be Quiet!' - strictly no barking;
'Leave It!' - lunging is not allowed - if your puppy lunges at your hands for the toy, use the 'Leave It!' command.
Your puppy will learn that if he follows your rules he'll be rewarded with being allowed to play puppy games with you; if he doesn't follow your rules, he'll soon learn that play will stop.
Puppy Games
We've listed a few puppy games for you and have written notes on how best to introduce your puppy to them - believe it or not, it doesn't alway come naturally!
We hope you and your puppy enjoy these puppy games, but before we go, in case you've not yet discovered this for yourselves, dogs love soap bubbles!
Whether they're bubbles spilling over the bath at bathtime, or they're blown from the bottles of liquid bubbles you can buy for children - dogs love them!
Try blowing bubbles for your puppy and watch his expression as he chases and 'catches' his first soap bubble.
