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July has arrived and we are finally in the month of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games! This is a very exciting time for dogs and humans alike as it is the perfect time to host your very own Dog Olympics at home.
Whether you are taking this opportunity to bond with your pooch one-on-one, or thinking of hosting a pup party with all of your dog’s furry friends and their parents, a Dog Olympics is a great way to get active and have some fun!
Keep reading for inspiration on all sorts of sports and games for dogs that you can both enjoy together this summer.
Let the Dog Olympics begin!
1. Recall Races
This game is great to do as a group. Prepare by getting your dogs to sit in a line, with each dog’s human a certain distance away. On a starting signal, the humans call their dog and request a “sit” when they get to them. The winner is the first dog to sit next to their person. This game is a perfect way to incorporate some exercise for your dog into your fun day!
2. Find the Treat
This game is especially simple but still provides a great source of mental stimulation for dogs. All that is required is hiding some treats around your home (without your pooch seeing, of course!) and waiting for your dog to find them. This will be an easier game if your pooch already knows the “find it” trick. However, it’s not essential. Dogs have an extremely powerful sense of smell and will be able to find those yummy treats in no time!
3. Obstacle Courses
Ideal for high-energy pups, an obstacle course made from items in your home is a great game for dogs. Chairs, cushions, hula hoops and swimming noodles all make great obstacles for your dog to jump over, weave through and crawl under.
Let the pups do a practice round before timing their run and remember, if you are hosting pups of all sizes, be sure to check that the course can be completed by every dog. This will ensure that they all can safely run the course and, of course, have fun!
4. Treat Toss
This is another very simple game for dogs. All they have to do is catch the treat you throw them... a dog’s dream! You can increase the difficulty by extending your throwing distance each time. We love to choose our pooch’s favourite treat to make this game even more exciting.
5. Frisbee
If your pooch is a frisbee lover, this game is for you. Quite simply, the winner is the pooch who gets the highest catch streak. Get ready, get set, catch!
6. Push Ups
This exercise is one of the more complicated games on the list but is great for providing mental stimulation for dogs. The essence of the game is teaching your dog to move from sitting to lying down and then back to sitting. This would be the equivalent of one puppy push up.
This dog exercise is excellent for getting your pup’s mind working. You can signal to your pup that you want them to sit, then lie down, then sit again. We love to reward our pups along the way, giving them more encouragement to continue the fun activity.
7. Sprints
Is your pooch quicker than a bullet? Are they great at running? Why not try some sprints in your Dog Olympics to see who has the quickest pooch! The winner is whoever reaches the finish point first.
8. Talent Show
As a dog lover, you may be familiar with dog ‘dressage’ events. Well, why not host a dog talent show much like that? You could include specific tasks in certain areas – perhaps even in a routine.
As with every time you are looking to introduce a new sport for your dog, ensure your activity area is dog safe. Make sure it is also big enough for the pooches to do the activities and that everyone knows the rules – both humans and pups!
Keeping Safe
The Dog Olympics is all about bonding and having fun, but it’s important to keep everyone involved safe too. Remember to keep pups who aren’t participating in the events on a lead, so they don’t try and join in, but make sure they get a turn if they are safe to do so.
And, as with every day in the summer months, make sure there is always enough water available and if you are out in the sun, that there is enough shade for everyone too.
Then, all that’s left is the closing ceremony! Celebrate all of your pup’s achievements by giving them attention and praise, and maybe even awarding a new toy to the winner (or for all that took part!). Don’t forget to snap a few photos of you all together to commemorate the day too.
Have you been inspired to set up your own Doggy Olympics? Don’t hesitate to get in touch and share any photos from the grand event! Alternatively, if you would like to keep up to date all things ADAPTIL, sign up to our newsletter.
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