Do you struggle to keep your dog from getting into things they shouldn’t? Are you always telling them no, but they just don’t seem to listen? Well, help is on the way.
These 5 games will help improve your dog’s impulse control, so they’ll be more likely to obey your commands. Most of these games can be played right in your backyard or living room, and all of them are sure to keep both you and your pup entertained for hours. So grab a few treats and get ready to start training!
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Dog Impulse Control Games
It’s important for dog owners to realize that Dogs, much like humans, need to exercise their self-control muscles.
Just as we might do some light calisthenics or yoga to limber up our ability to resist temptation or manage frustration, so too can we give our dogs some “impulse control” exercises to help them keep their cool.
These exercises are often called “frustration tolerance” games in the training world, and they lay the foundation for a dog who can calmly wait his turn, engage in polite greetings with other dogs (instead of trying to jump on them), and stay focused despite distractions.
Training your dog in impulse control will not only make him a better-behaved animal, but it will also deepen the bond between the two of you. And that’s something everyone can benefit from.
Training Impulse Control in Dogs
One way to think about training impulse control is to imagine that you are teaching your dog how to “hold his horses.” That is, you want him to learn how to refrain from reacting immediately to whatever it is he’s feeling in the moment.
This can be a difficult concept for dogs (and humans!) to grasp, but with patience and consistency, most dogs can learn to control their impulses with a little bit of practice.
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Here are 5 games that will help get you started:
1). The Drop It Game
This game is great for teaching your dog how to control his impulses around food and toys. The goal is simple: get your dog to drop whatever it is he’s holding in his mouth when you give the cue.
To play, start by showing your dog a treat or toy that he really wants. Let him smell and inspect it for a moment, then say the cue “drop it” and close your hand around the item so he can’t get to it.
When he drops the item, give him lots of praise and immediately give him the treat or toy as a reward.
If he doesn’t drop it right away, you can try saying “leave it” and walking away from him for a few steps. This will usually prompt him to drop the item so he can follow you. Once he drops it, be sure to praise him and give him the treat or toy.
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2). The Stay Game
This game is great for teaching your dog how to stay calm and wait patiently. The goal is to get your dog to hold the “stay” position for increasing periods of time, even when you are moving around or leaving the room.
To play, start by asking your dog to sit or lie down. Then say the cue “stay” and take a few steps away from him. If he stays in position, praise him and give him a treat. If he gets up to follow you, simply say “uh-uh” and lead him back to his starting position. Try again, taking a few more steps away each time he succeeds.
Once he’s got the hang of it, you can begin adding in distractions, like walking around the room or leaving the room for a few seconds. The key is to take it slowly and only add in one new element at a time.
3). The Watch Me Game
This game is great for teaching your dog how to pay attention to you and resist distractions. The goal is to get your dog to focus on you and maintain eye contact for increasing periods of time.
To play, start by asking your dog to sit or lie down. Then say your cue “watch me” and give him a treat. Hold the treat up close to your face so he has to look at you to get it. Once he’s made eye contact, say “good dog” and give him the treat.
If he looks away before you give the cue, simply wait until he makes eye contact again and then give him the treat.
Once he’s got the hang of it, you can begin adding in distractions, like walking around the room or moving objects around. Again, the key is to take it slowly and only add in one new element at a time.
4). The Leave It Game
This game is great for teaching your dog how to resist the urge to chase after something. The goal is to get your dog to walk away from an object when you give the cue “leave it.”
To play, start by showing your dog a treat or toy that he really wants. Let him smell and inspect it for a moment, then say the cue “leave it” and walk away from him. If he follows you, simply say “uh-uh” and lead him back to the object. Try again, taking a few steps away each time he succeeds.
Once he’s got the hang of it, you can begin adding in distractions, like walking around the room or leaving the room for a few seconds. The key is to take it slowly and only add in one new element at a time.
5). The Go to Your Spot Game
This game is great for teaching your dog how to go to a specific spot on cue. The goal is to get your dog to go to his designated spot and stay there until you release him.
To play, start by asking your dog to sit or lie down. Then say your cue “go to your spot” and point to the spot you want him to go to. If he gets up and goes to the spot, praise him and give him a treat. If he doesn’t go to the spot, simply say “uh-uh” and lead him back to his starting position. Try again, taking a few steps away each time he succeeds.
Once he’s got the hang of it, you can begin adding in distractions, like walking around the room or leaving the room for a few seconds. The key is to take it slowly and only add in one new element at a time.
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A Word of Caution
Before you start any of these games, it’s important to note that you should never use food or toys as a way to punish your dog. If he makes a mistake, simply say “uh-uh” and lead him back to the starting position. Never yell at him or hit him, as this will only damage your relationship and make it harder for him to learn.
With patience and consistency, you’ll be able to teach your dog these important skills in no time.
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