Certain games are just natural “dog games”, like fetch and tug o’ war. But if you really want to spend some more time with your animal, you would like a few more options to keep it from becoming monotonous, both for you and the dog.

What you could do is to spice up your game of fetch a little. Use the layout of your garden, or back yard, to create a few “obstacles”. The dog must have to improvise to get past it. Keep in mind that the challenge must not be beyond the animal’s capability, or it might lose interest. Use a favorite toy to maximize motivation.

Instead of a stick, or ball, use a Frisbee. Many dogs find it great fun trying to catch it in mid-air, and it’s fun to watch - even for those sitting on the sideline. The Frisbee can easily be thrown a lot further than anything else, giving some extra exercise to those species that were bred to run around a lot.

Another option amongst your games for dogs, is having the dog find a hidden object by following the scent. This can be done by hiding a favorite toy, because the dog knows the scent. You can also use a treat that the dog enjoys, because finding it means it can “eat the reward”.

A lot of dogs will enjoy themselves simply running around with the kids. Be careful, though, of the behavior of some species. “Guardian dog species”, like Bullmastiff and Rottweilers, enjoy playing, but tend to start taking the game seriously after a while. They tend to “play rough”, and snap back. Younger children are not able to tell when the dog’s behavior changes, and they only find out too late.

A great advantage of games for dogs, is the ability to incorporate obedience training into a game. This could range from having to sit upright, to releasing the ball or Frisbee, or sitting down. The dog is much more likely to remember something that seems to be “part of a game”.

On the other end of the scale, there are games intended more for your enjoyment than the dog’s. They lack in providing active involvement in the game (for the dog), but compensates for it by affording the animal rather large amounts of attention. Dogs love human contact, so they “bear with it”. This includes games like dog dress up games (becoming very popular), and “dog parties”.

There are plenty more games for dogs. Many dogs are highly intelligent, and quickly catch on to new ideas. The only limitation is your own creativity and patience. Playing with your dog on a regular basis is vital for exercise, and maintaining the bond between you.