How to Play...7month old....

[TrentL]

Okay stupid question ... Draven is 7 months old... and he's way more dog than we wanted He was a lazy boy as a pup...now he can't sit still he doesn't settle, doesn't like to "stay" whines when he's put on a "Down".

Make living with him REALLY hard... because he's EVERYWHERE into EVERYTHING and he drives us BONKERS...

He goes outside alot LOVES to be outside runs around and is a dork outside Plays with his ball etc.

But I don't know how to play with him... part of this is me, for various reasons I don't "play" well I'm a moderately serious person (I joke around but I don't "play" like the average person I think) I don'tknow how to play with my kids either completely different story)

We do play "Tug" we have one of this Long Snakes that is puncture proof and I grab that with two hands he grabs the middle and we play tug, and I use that as a reward for good behavior, and as a replacement for treats...

But he doesn't fetch... and thats the only two things I know how to play...

Anyone got some videos of playing? I know I'm missing out on things, Draven loves to play by himself but some times he goes out and he looks ay me like "Daddy come play!" I swear it!! So I go outside but throw some snow around and toss the ball but then we're both like "Huh...what now"

[gaia_bear]

What about playing hide and seek? Or find it?


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[Jag]

I don't know if it's good or bad... but do you ever just play 'chase'? Or rough house? Grim is REALLY into tug now... so that's his favorite of the moment. He does like to rough house, though. I'm limited with what I can do with that because of my physical issues... but it doesn't stop him from loving it. He likes to jump around like a dork and looks so VERY happy if I get rowdy with him! You and I are in the same 'serious' boat. I have found this has been my main issue with getting and keeping his focus. I'm boring. I'm trying hard to change that. We have fun guys... and we're boring!

[TrentL]

I worry about Rough Housing... if that's bad mojo...

Draven LOVES LOVES LOVES to be chased... but only if he has something in his mouth....otherwise he's going to try and nip your gloves.

My worry was if I'm chasing him with a toy in his mouth I'm teaching him to run from me...I guess if we gave him one toy that was a "Chase" toy??

[Jag]

I meant him chasing you, LOL! NO.. chasing puppy is VERY bad mojo! He will like it, and all your hard work is out the window! You carry the toy, and have him chase you for it. IDK about rough housing being a bad idea. I did so with my other males without any issues. Grim, though... I'm kinda glad it's limited. That boy is a LOT of dog!

[doggiedad]

are you involved in any classes? do you have trainer?
how often do you train and socialize?

[llombardo]

You can try a flirt pole...he would probably love a flirt pole. Long walks/hiking might be nice too.

[TrentL]

Yes on training weekly at class
Plus biweekly to the dog sitter for puppy time with other dogs

But its winter here nobody wants to see your dog in -20c weather

Ah him chase me will last for like 2 seconds he is way too fast lol

He does seem to like it when I kick a ball around and he has a ball in his mouth just hard to tell I guess


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[Mooch]

He sounds like he needs more exercise
I know thats hard to do at -20 degrees but perhaps you could have a go at "playing" trick training or some nose work Get him using his brain.

I think dogs are not like kids, they don't wan you to "play" lego with them but they do want you to interact with them and pay attention to them.

My guys give me the "come play look" ever night generally it means we go out and play fetch/tug or we go for a walk or play on my pathetic baby "agility" course LOL
But by far they most favourite "game" is going for a walk and playing hide and seek

Have you tried clicker training with him? I think the first thing you should "play" is trying to learn to fetch - you can even start that off inside, it's especially good if you have a long hallway
Then maybe have a look at some of the books by Kyra Sundance - they are outrageously silly and over the top but the tricks are great
if you make "training" fun your dog will think it's a game and that you are playing

One of the main things I find guys struggle with when training/playing is being "silly" and excited. They always seem worried they'll look like and idiot

[Nigel]

I second the flirt pole suggestion, lots of fun, you can incorporate training into it, and it is physically demanding on them, but not so much on you. We also play lots of find it games. Have them sit/stay and hide treats or toys in the snow.