The springer spaniel is a lively breed that needs plenty of exercise to keep them healthy, happy, and well-behaved.
If you’re looking for some games to play with your springer spaniel at home, then take a look at this list we put together in collaboration with our local dog trainers!
There are many benefits to playing fun games with your dog.
They get their energy out, so when left alone, they don’t chew and destroy furniture; they learn how to socialize and interact positively within boundaries, and it can be an excellent bonding experience for both humans and canine.
So without further ado, here are 5 games for a springer spaniel!
1. Hide and Seek
Teach them the game of Hide and Seek with some variation so they can’t simply walk away. This is also an excellent exercise for their intelligence as it’s all about solving puzzles!
To make the game work, place something tasty in one room, then call your dog over and give him/her treats while he thoroughly searches for it.
Close the door and repeat this process until they find it (this may take several rounds). Then gradually increase the time between each round when hiding so your pet stays focused.
Once they can successfully complete 5 rounds without help from you or other people, start making changes such as hiding in a different room or putting the food further away.
2. Fetch
Fetch is a classic springer spaniel game, and it’s also one of the easiest to play.
You’ll need two things for this:
- something they can fetch (a tennis ball or any other toy)
- somewhere fun with space where you’re sure that your dog will return after retrieving their prize from, say, down an alleyway or off behind some bushes!
The point is not only to have them retrieve whatever object you throw but also encourage exploration in new places while satisfying their prey drive by making them chase a moving target.
You can use a standard tennis ball or any other toy but make sure it’s something they’re really interested in; otherwise, you might be waiting around for some time.
It doesn’t have to be expensive, just their favorite thing!
When you throw the object into an area with space, try and draw them out of that space by pretending to go after the item yourself, then watch as they come back with your prize between their teeth!
If not, try throwing again-you need patience and repetition until they get the hang of it.
When playing fetch outside I like to use a ball throwing stick as it makes throwing the ball much easier and you can throw it way further!
Last update on 2023-03-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
3. Find the Toy
Description: “find the toy” game, where you hide a favorite object and then send your dog to find it.
Stimulate intellectual activity in dogs that are mature enough for this type of work; stimulate mental acuity by requiring them to think about what they’re doing when searching for something, especially if there is no reward or praise involved with finding the hidden object.
Find the toy is a great game to do with your dog if you want them to think and be active. It’s also suitable for dogs that need some stimulation of their mental acuity because they have grown bored in repetitive activities or are frustrated by certain types of work.
To play this game, put an object (preferably one that has been heavily played with so that there are lots of scents around it) where your dog can’t see it in a closet, under the bed, behind the couch.
Then get down on all fours facing away from the said hiding place and call out “find-the-toy!” Watch as your pup runs off into other rooms looking for his favorite thing! You may need to help them out if it’s something they’re not used to finding.
You may need to help them out if it’s something they’re not used to finding. This is especially true for puppies who have never seen anything like this before. They might need a little help finding it the first time.
4. Tug of War
Tug of war is a great game to play with your springer spaniel. It helps strengthen the bond between you and your dog and provides them some mental stimulation by getting them used to and learning the “leave it” command.
To start this game:
- Have your dog sit in front of you and pull on one end of the rope.
- Don’t try to pull the toy from the dog; let him hold it and fight it with him.
- Let him win sometimes; doing so should keep him entertained longer.
This is a great way to get them used to commands like that, so when you need something out of their mouth or near their teeth, telling them not to work will allow for safety all around!
You could even make up some rules, such as only pulling for 5 seconds before letting go.
5. Teach them how to do tricks
Teaching your dog tricks is a great way to keep your dog mentally stimulated and prevent them from getting bored.
Just find ones that they can do easily, make it part of the game for them sometimes (rewarding with treats) while other times just giving praise or verbal stimulation will be enough reinforcement!
If you have space in your yard, try teaching them how to balance on their hind legs and walk around in a circle. You could also teach more complicated tricks such as rolling over onto one’s side or jump through an open hoop placed right in front of them if there was room outside.
You could also teach them to catch a ball thrown or place treats on the ground they have to find. You can even get creative and make up your own tricks for them!
IN SUMMARY
Playing with your dog is an excellent way to bond and get some exercise.
Springers are a particularly energetic breed, so it’s important that they have plenty of outlets for their energy while also getting the mental stimulation they need.
Disclaimer
Myspringerspaniel.com does not provide veterinary advice. We aim to provide you with information to enable you to make a good decision when making a purchase or to care for your dog.
All content is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. If you’re concerned about the health of your pet, you should contact your vet for advice.
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