Keeping any dog or puppy happy and healthy takes a lot of interaction, fun, and consistency.

Our little Papillon, Jaxon, is a very lucky pup in the sense that there’s usually someone around at home with him. He’s not often alone for extended periods, and gets great garden, play & walk time with us humans.

Ready to play again, Dad?

I spend at least 5 mins in the morning and 5 mins at night around meal times training new behaviours with Jaxon.

He also gets good play time & bigger training time in the back yard or at agility club. Having a repertoire of games is important to keep a smart puppy interested, engaged & having fun.

One of the games Jaxon helped us to invent is called “Hide & go fetch”. Loosely based on Hide & go seek, we often use this game on a rainy day, or a busy morning to keep Jaxon having fun even if he doesn’t get to go outside for play time.

Essentially, you choose a few toys (or just one if you prefer) that your pup loves. Keep one in your hand if you have play issues around “give”, and you’re trying to build out engagement with you.

Put your dog in a sit-stay. Show them the toy you’re going to hide.

Hide the toy in a place that the dog will have to really search for it, but not too hard that they can’t get the toy.

Get your dog excited before you release them to find the toy.

Now comes the twist.

When your pup goes to find & fetch the toy, you go and hide somewhere they need to find you.

Your pup will come back with the toy & try to seek you out. Don’t make it too hard for them – just hard enough to really have them thinking.

When they find you & they give you the toy – BIG celebration! Dance, high five, treat them – whatever it is that will get them really excited.

Now repeat & use different locations for the toy & your own hiding spot.

Jaxon absolutely loves this game. He really gets excited by it, and I can see that he really thinks through the problem in trying to find both the toy & me.

Enjoy!

Tired doggy blogger after playing Hide & go fetch