Puppy Ping-Pong Brings the Dog and Family Together
A great way to work on the “come” cue at home is playing a game that is fun for the whole family. The game is called Puppy Ping-Pong. I learned this fun game while I was in school to become a dog trainer and have used it ever since. By incorporating games into obedience training, you make the experience fun for everyone.
What is the Purpose of Puppy Ping-Pong?
As a professional dog trainer, I used to teach the “come” cue on-leash in group classes for safety reasons. However, most people will need their dog to come on cue when off-leash, so this is a great way to begin off-leash work in a controlled environment.
You want to work on as much dog training as possible in real-life situations, such as your home and backyard. When working on the “come” cue, it’s important to keep things very positive to ensure your puppy always wants to approach you. I mean, who would want to come over to you when he knows he’s going to get in trouble?
What You’ll Need
Find a safe environment. Gather at least three family members and your dog to participate in the dog game. Each person should be equipped with a handful of tasty treats or a chew toy hidden behind his back. The best time to play Puppy Ping-Pong is when your puppy is hungry and full of energy like before dinner time when everyone has arrived home for the day. You will need a large enough area where everyone can spread out and form a circle.
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How to Play Puppy Ping-Pong
Have someone encourage your puppy to approach him by making kissy noises and saying your puppy’s name. Be sure not to use the word “come” when encouraging your puppy to approach you. Once your pup is right in front of you, give the “come” cue followed by the word “good” and a treat or quick game of tug!
Now have the person on the opposite side of the circle do the same thing. Your puppy might be a little hesitant to leave the person she just received the reward from because she knows positive things come from him. Have that person ignore the puppy while the next person is coaxing your puppy his way. Once you get the hang of this, your puppy will begin pinging back and forth to all your family members.
Be Consistent
With any dog behavior, it’s important to be consistent when teaching your puppy to play ping-pong. As the old saying goes, “practice makes perfect.” As time goes on and everyone gets better at playing it, make the game more challenging by forming a bigger circle. Get creative with it. Most of all, make the experience enjoyable for everyone involved. Have fun!
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