Fun and Games for a Smarter Dog: 50 Great Brain Games to Engage Your Dog

by Sophie Collins

Overview

Mental exercise provides just as many benefits for dogs as physical exercise does. But once you have basic training - sit, down, come, stay - under your belt, what can you do to build your dog's brainpower? Take your pup's repertoire of skills to the next level with an array of games that challenge his body and mind alike. Training your dog in the course of play also allows you and your dog to have fun together while continuing to strengthen that ever-important human-canine bond. Inside Tricks and Games for Smart Dogs: • A dog's perception of play and the science behind the success of play-based training • Using treats and good timing to encourage desired behaviors; • Step-by-step instructions for fifty brain games that teach new behaviors and increase a dog’s intelligence, including adaptations for different skill levels • Increasing your dog’s physical abilities and mental acuity as he learns; • Socialization and how it affects your dog’s attitude toward interacting with other dogs; • Introducing your dog to new canine playmates

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781621871217
Publisher:	CompanionHouse Books
Publication date:	03/26/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	176
Sales rank:	560,298
File size:	16 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Sophie Collins is an author and editor who has written a number of bestselling pet titles, including Tricks and Games to Teach Your Dog and Why Does My Dog Do That? She lives in the United Kingdom.

Table of Contents

Introduction 6

Playing Safe 10

1 Play and Training: Understanding How Dogs Think about Play 14

2 Basic Games: Using Play to Teach 32

3 Bonding Games: Building Your Relationship with Play 68

4 Brain Games: Boosting Your Pet's Thinking Skills with Play 88

5 Fitness Games: Games to Build Your Dog's Fitness and Agility 114

6 Figuring It Out: Games to Stretch Your Dog 144

7 Getting Along: Dog-to-Dog Play 158

Epilogue: Playing for Life 170

Gallery 172

Further Reading 174

Index 175

Editorial Reviews

02/01/2017
From the basics of "sit" and "watch me" to more complex training commands such as agility maneuvers, skateboarding, and more, this easy-to-follow guide will be a popular addition to any collection of dog behavior and training books. Collins, who has published several other similar dog-related titles as well as a YA novel, provides succinct background information on building skills based on dogs' instincts and their desire to learn and please their owners. Each new trick or game is described in a step-by-step format that ensures success while avoiding punitive interactions or rough "alpha" handling. Beautifully photographed with an assortment of adorable canines, this book also includes suggestions for negating special circumstances such as toy obsession, how to help shy or fearful dogs, and appends a list of further reading suggestions. VERDICT This encouraging and positive canine training guide, with a focus on fun, bonding activities, will be an essential title in any dog obedience collection and complements more theory-based books on animal development such as those by Brian Hare, Jon Franklin, Victoria Stillwell, and others.—Susan Riley, Mamaroneck P.L., NY

Library Journal