How to play with Golden Retriever puppy

How to play with Golden Retriever puppy

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If you are thinking of getting a Golden Retriever or you have recently gotten one then you’re probably wondering how to keep it entertained.

So, how to keep your Golden Retriever entertained? To keep your Golden Retriever entertained it would help to give it lots of exercise to prevent it from becoming hyperactive. Then you can keep it entertained by doing things such as training it, playing fetch or tug of war with it, giving it toys to play with, giving it chew toys, giving it puzzles to complete or you can take it to doggy daycare.

There are a lot of things you can do to keep your Golden Retriever entertained that I will show you below.

How to keep your Golden Retriever entertained

Walk it

Golden Retrievers are a breed that are meant to get quite a lot of exercise to be fully stimulated. Generally, it is recommended to exercise them for an hour per day. By doing so you should be able to get it to require less work from you for the rest of the day because it will have been stimulated by the walk you gave it.

Play fetch

Another way to give your Golden Retriever exercise and attention is to teach it to play fetch.

Fetch is good because it gets your Golden Retriever to do a lot of sprinting without much rest which will help to wear it out quickly. It will also get it used to interacting with you in a positive way and it will help to make it more responsive to your command.

It can be quite difficult at first to teach your Golden Retriever to play fetch but I go through it step by step in the link above.

Teach it to swim

Another option would be to get it to swim. Swimming is good because it is a low impact way of getting your Golden Retriever to do lots of exercise quickly.

Most Golden Retrievers take to water naturally but there are some that do not. However, there are ways to get it to like swimming that I talk about here.

Give it toys

One way to keep your Golden Retriever entertained while you are around and when you are not around is to give it lots of toys to play with.

By doing so you will be able to keep it occupied with something that you want it to be occupied with. This means that you’ll be able to divert its attention away from destroying things when you are not around.

Give it lots of training

Another way to keep your Golden Retriever entertained and to improve its behavior is to give it lots of training. Golden Retrievers were bred to work with their owners on a daily basis so giving them training is an effective way to keep them stimulated.

If you have not given your Golden Retriever much training yet, it would help to start by training it the basics such as to sit and stay in an environment without many distractions and then to build up from there.

Give it puzzles

Another option would be to give your Golden Retriever puzzle games to play with that will help to keep it occupied. There are a number of puzzle games that you can buy that are designed to make your Golden Retriever think and put its attention into it in order to get the reward. I would recommend getting one that is slightly more challenging so that your Golden Retriever can’t figure it out quickly.

Play tug of war with it

You could also play tug of war with it. You’ll likely find your Golden Retriever will love to play tug of war so it’s a good way to keep its focus onto something that you want it to.

Use a dog walker

If you are unable to exercise your Golden Retriever yourself, one option would be to get a dog walker to do it for you. There are now apps that you can download on your phone that let you find a dog walker in your area.

Walk it with other dogs

Another way to get your Golden Retriever to wear itself out even more would be to walk it with other dogs. When you walk it with other dogs, it will run around with them which will cause it to get more exercise.

Give it chew toys

Another option you have would be to give it chew toys or bones that it can chew on when you are trying to keep its focus on something that you’re ok with.

Doggy daycare

If you will not be at home for a long time one option would be to take it to a doggy daycare so that you can have them look after it while you are away.

Things to consider

Age

It’s important to consider the age of your Golden Retriever. If it is young then it will require a lot of attention but you will be limited in how much exercise you can give it. Generally, it is recommended that you don’t give it any more than 5 minutes of exercise per month of age twice daily (source). This is because, when it’s young, its joints and bones are still developing and lots of exercise could damage them. It is also important to remember that it will not be able to control its bladder as well yet so it will be necessary to avoid leaving it for long periods.

Give it attention daily

Golden Retrievers are a breed that require a lot of exercise and attention. If you’re thinking of getting a Golden Retriever then be prepared to give it attention on a daily basis.

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Playing with your dog helps keep him active, entertained, and out of trouble, especially when your dog is a Golden Retriever. Playtime is a perfect opportunity for you and your dog to bond. Luckily, there are several fun games that you can play with a Golden Retriever!

Some of the best games to play with a Golden Retriever are Hide and Seek, and Tug of War. Other ideal games that Golden Retrievers enjoy include Fetch, Cleanup, Stairway Dash, and various water games. Consider your dog’s age and individual preferences when choosing which games to play.

As a dog owner, it is your responsibility to keep your pet active and entertained. Learning some of a Golden Retrievers favorite games will create many memorable moments for you and your furry friend. Read on and learn more about the games that Golden Retrievers like to play!

How to play with Golden Retriever puppy

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Unlock your goldens natural intelligence and see just how quickly problem behaviors disappear.This is the best at home dog training I've ever used!

Golden Retriever Hide and Seek

Hide-and-Seek is a great game that you can play with your Golden Retriever both indoors and outside. There are two ways to play this game. One way is where you hide, and your dog looks for you. Once they find you, make sure you praise and encourage them to do it again. Another way is to hide treats in interesting places and ask your dog to look for them.

Since Golden Retrievers love treats, and they will work hard to ensure that they get them. The challenge of looking for the treats uses up some of the dogs excess energy, gives them a chance to exercise their body, and provides the mental stimulation a Golden needs.

You can also play a version of hide and seek where you hide a dog treat in a puzzle toy like this one by Outward Hound on Amazon. Your Golden Retriever has to figure out how to get to the treat. This interactive toy works great for meal time as well, as your pup will have a blast “hunting” for his food!

How to play with Golden Retriever puppy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8A0ay3Pzrjk

Play Hide and Seek with a puzzle toy that dispenses treats.

Discover how to train your Golden Retriever by playing games: 21 games to play with your Golden that will make them smarter and better behaved!

Note: Play Hide and Seek with treats in moderation since giving them too many extra treats will end up causing more harm than good. You can also try playing hide and seek with your dogs favorite toy instead.

Tug of War (Golden Retriever Style)

Tug of War is a favorite game for many dogs, and Golden Retrievers are no exception! The game is fun, helps keep your dog active, and is a good way to teach them manners. When playing this game, ensure that you get a rope designed for the dog’s teeth. This is a rope made of special material that will not hurt their teeth or have any harmful chemicals. Try the Mammoth Tug Rope found on Amazon. It’s safe, non-toxic, and even helps clean your dog’s teeth while he’s playing.

When playing tug of war, always remember that the game ends when the dog touches your hand with his mouth, so you should teach them this rule from the beginning. This helps ensure that the game remains safe since some dogs can get carried away when playing tug of war.

Alternatively, a safer (and very fun to watch way) to play tug of war with your pooch is to set up a bungee out in the yard where your Golden Retriever can play the game all by himself. The Outdoor Dog Bungee Toy (Amazon) makes this game extra fun for your dog, and you won’t even have to get your arm pulled out of its socket!

https://youtu.be/SfMh01p5cAc

Watch how excited these two Goldens are to play with their new tug of war bungee.

Water Games (Golden Retrievers Love The Water!)

Like humans, dogs enjoy spending time in the water, especially on a hot afternoon. If your Golden Retriever does not know how to swim, you’ll need to learn how to teach them. If you’re a visual learner, here’s a YouTube video that explains what you need to do:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56Kxqf68IEw

Goldens love to swim but even they may need some instruction the first time or two.

When teaching, use a doggy life jacket (Amazon) for safety. After your dog has learned how to swim, you can then have fun playing other Water Games, such as dock diving or swim racing.

You can also bring along some of their toys and play a game of fetch in the water. Playing in water is not only entertaining and great exercise for your dog, it’s also a wonderful opportunity for bonding.

Fetch (A Golden Retrievers All-Time Favorite)

If you have lived with a Golden Retriever for any length of time, you must have realized that Fetch is one of their favorite all-time games! You can play this game both indoors and outdoors. When playing indoors, it’s essential to make sure that you use toys that do not bounce, as these bouncing toys may break various household items.

Also ensure that your Golden Retriever is running on a carpet. Otherwise, they are at risk of slipping and hurting themselves when running to get the toy, especially if the floor is slippery.

For an outdoor game of fetch, the bouncier the dog toy the better. While a tennis ball will work great, try using the Jolly Ball from Jolly Pets (Amazon). A Jolly Ball is a ball and a rope combined. It’s perfect for bouncing, tugging, throwing, and retrieving.

How to play with Golden Retriever puppy

Or if your dog prefers a more unpredictable bounce, you’ll want to check out the Titan Busy Bounce (Amazon). This is a durable rubber toy that really bounces! The inside is hollow so it can be filled with peanut butter or dog treats for an added surprise.

Clean Up (Teaching Your Golden to Clean Up)

As its name suggests, Cleanup is where your dog will collect the toys that have scattered on the floor while you were playing. Imagine that! Your Golden Retriever will actually think it’s a fun game cleaning up his mess!

Show your dog where they should put the toys they have retrieved by teaching them to respond to phrases such as “cleanup”. Though this may take time for them to get, Golden Retrievers are smart and will eventually be in a position to pickup and put away anything you ask him to.

Pretty cool! There aren’t many games that end up with the room being cleaner than when you started playing!

DIY Agility (Golden Retriever Agility Games)

You can enjoy the Agility Game with your dog even if you don’t have your own agility course in your backyard (Amazon). You can improvise with items such as blankets, old furniture, or wrapping paper tubs, creating your own obstacle course. Use treats to lead your dog through it. This is a fun and an ideal exercise for your dog, especially if you are trying to help them lose weight.

Here is a YouTube video to guide you on how to play some agility games:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=og3B6BNQR3o

How to play games with agility training. Is it a sport or a game?

Stairway Dash (A Golden Retriever and Stairs is All You Need)

If you have a stairway in your house, this is a perfect place where you can play with your dog. Running up and down the stairs is exciting, especially if there is a treat at the stairway’s end. To ensure safety in the game, make your Golden Retriever sits downstairs while you throw the treat onto the top landing.

You can also make the game more interesting by coming up with a catchy phrase such as “GO!” Have several treats that will keep the dog running for a while, thus exercising them. When your dog is coming downstairs, encourage them to run slowly to reduce the risk of injuries. 

Under, Over, and Through (Golden Retriever Obstacle Course)

Teaching your dog to go under, over, and through objects is not only a good brain game, it is also good exercise for them. Use an item such as a chair and teach them to crawl under the legs of the chair as a response to the command you give them. To ensure that they understand what is expected of them, as well as to make it easier for them to learn, show them how it’s done so that they can observe and follow you.

You are also likely to bond better with your dog when they see you joining them. When they do as you expected them to, don’t forget to praise them or give them treats. You can set up all sorts of obstacles to climb over, go around, and crawl under using items in your home.

https://youtu.be/FkWrdTqo1Qs

This Golden isn’t sure what to make of this indoor obstacle course.

Cardio Twist (Golden Retriever Slalom Game)

This game is often played in dog competitions, but you can play it at home as well. Set up poles using household items such as chairs or stools and have your dog weave between them. If you have other people in the game, they can also serve as poles.

Weave between the poles and instruct your dog to follow you at your pace. Change your pace from fast to slow from time to time. Cardio twist is not only a great workout for you and your dog but it also helps them learn coordination.

https://youtu.be/BTWC8KW_Jlg

Golden Retriever slalom. You can also use pillows, chairs, people, anything really.

Play “Follow Your Nose” With Your Golden Retriever

This is another type of dog puzzle game, and it’s gentle enough to play with a young puppy or an older adult dog. Since dogs have a powerful sense of smell, you can make a game out of it. The follow your nose game is similar to hide-and-seek. You play it by hiding something yummy and smelly in a scent bag and instruct your Golden Retriever to look for it.

Avoid hiding the bag in an obvious place. Hide it somewhere where your dog will have to put in the effort to get it, so as to challenge and stimulate them. This dog game is best played outdoors since there are many hiding spots, including underground.

Bubble Chaser (Golden Retrievers Love This Game)

Pick up a pack of kids blowing bubbles, or better yet a bubble blaster like this one on Amazon. Golden Retrievers, young and old, love to chase bubbles out in the yard. You and your dog can have hours of fun with this one without requiring much effort on your part. An old dog will enjoy this game as much as a young dog will!

https://youtu.be/NXQFPheAQqE

This Golden Retriever loves her bubbles!

Conclusion

It is impossible to exhaust the list of games to play with your Golden Retriever. But whenever you have a chance, entertain and bond with them by joining them in the games listed above. And remember that safety comes first, so always ensure that your playing area is safe to avoid any risk of injuries for you and your Golden Retriever.

Sources

  • Hide-and-Seek (PDF)
  • Tug-of-War
  • Release the Hounds
  • AKC