Make Dog Training Fun with Friends

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Make Dog Training Fun with Friends

Written by Lorrie Reynolds

Lorrie has been an agility enthusiast since 2002 and has taught tricks, family obedience, agility, and canine conditioning since 2005. When she's not writing articles, developing courses, or training dogs, you can find her curled up with a book in her hands and a dog warming her feet.

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Find the Fun in Training Again by Playing Games with a Friend

Did you ever play the basketball game “HORSE” when you were a kid? The first person makes a basket and the second one has to make the same shot the same way. If she misses, she has to add the letter “H” to her score. The players take turns, either copying the basket that was made, or coming up with a new shot if the other person missed.

When I was improving my distance skills, a friend of mine and I came up with our own version of HORSE. She would stand in a particular spot and have her dog run a sequence. I would have to stand in the same spot and send my dog through the sequence. If I succeeded, I got to choose the next exercise. If I failed, I got an “H” and she got to choose a new sequence and place to stand. Whoever spelled HORSE first “lost,” although we both won by improving our skills.

I was teaching for her at the facility she owned, and the challenge was increased even more when students would come early or stay late to watch us play.

Agility dog navigating the A-Frame at a trial

Another game we played was “add an obstacle.” We would designate a box to stay within, and she would send her dog over or through an obstacle. I would take a turn, sending my dog over the same obstacle and adding one. We continued taking turns until one of us either incurred a fault (bar down, missed contact, or off course), or until one of us forgot the course (occasionally helped along by alcohol if we weren’t teaching).

You could also play this game with tricks. Come up with a list of tricks that both teams know, and take turns “adding one” until one of you forgets the routine or the dog doesn’t perform it. (Remember to reward often!)

You don’t need to play either of these specific games, but I do recommend that you find some fun things to do with a friend that will push you to increase your skill level. A little healthy and friendly competition can encourage you to try new things and get out of your comfort zone.

Today’s tip:

Find the fun in training again! Come up with a silly game that will spur you and a friend into “working while you play” together.

P.S. If you don’t want to meet in person, set up a video call, or just play by exchanging videos! One person can video and send a sequence or a trick, and the other can perform the trick or sequence and add to it before sending a new video back.

P.P.S. If you enjoyed this article, please share it with a friend!