What Comes After Sit? 3 Fun Recreational Training Ideas for Dog Play

Written By: Clinton LeClerc

Dog play is more than just fetch, tug, and zoomies; and it might be your training superpower

The truth is, dog play is integral to training, and it can be great recreational fun too! With some guidance, dogs can do incredible things you may never have thought possible. If you’re looking to expand your dog’s horizons, and yours along with it, consider some of these recreational play and training activities that can keep you and your dog fulfilled.

Nosework:

a short gif of a tall black dog with white paws and chest practicing nosework training by sniffing the ground and seeking out a small metal scent tin, pointed to by white arrows. the room is decorated in a maximalist style with light grey painted walls and an open white door adorned with hanging coats and a backpack. a white person with a mustache, beard, and long hair enters from the open door wearing red pants, a black shirt, and a red bandana on their head.

This is the perfect brain game for your ultra-sniffer! You can teach your dog to find just about any creative scent, in any environment! This skill can be used by service dogs for medical or allergen alerts, or pet dogs looking to burn energy without consuming too much energy or time from their owner. Here is dog Friday to Certified Trainer Clinton sniffing out a $5 bill! It may not look like “play” in the traditional sense of the word, but because dogs experience a lot of stimulation from engaging their noses, it’s about the most fun they could have! Want to see more? Check out this video!

 

Kayak/Paddleboard/Boating/Etc.:

the foreground is a yellow and grey inflatable kayak resting in green grass. to the left is a green and tan bag of dog training treats. inside the kayak is a black dog with white paws, chest, chin, and upright ears looking at the camera and practicing recreational positive dog training. there is a thing orange leash attached to the dog's collar which loops at the back of the boat. the background is green grass, a parking lot bordered by a house on each side, and a purple car. an image taken from behind a black dog in a bright lime green floatation vest, practicing recreational dog training while lounging in an inflatable grey kayak with a yellow tipped front. there is a grey bag between the dog and the front of the boat. the background is the calm blue water and green trees of ann arbor's huron river.

We all love spending the hot summer on the beautiful Huron River, exploring the waterways of Ann Arbor and down to Ypsilanti. Have you ever been in the river and seen someone paddling by with their dog, or speeding by on their motorboat at Belleville lake, and thought, “I wish I could get my dog to do that”. Well, you can! With positive conditioning, you can soon be soaking up the sun alongside your happy pooch. Before you try it, check out this blog for some summer safety tips. 

 

Agility: 

photo taken from one end of a green with pink and blue edging pop-up dog training agility tunnel. on the opposite end from the camera is a crouching, black dog with white paws and upright ears. there is green grass in the fore and backgrounds.

Is your dog go-go-go? Agility can stimulate their mind and body! This activity is best for high-energy dogs and owners– it will definitely get your heart rate up! Before trying agility, ensure with your vet that your dog’s joints are in good health. Maybe your own, too! Agility is more than just running and jumping: it requires a strong dog-owner bond, accurate cueing, unshakeable proofing, intense concentration, and impeccable timing. Up to the challenge? Get your consultation scheduled to figure out next steps today!

Looking to jumpstart your dog play adventure? Check out our Recreational Training package here 

The image is a purple rectangle with a matching ribbon going across the top. There is a silhouette of a person standing and pointing to two dogs sitting on either side of them. White text above reads "Victoria Stilwell Academy Certified Dog Trainer". This is the official graduation badge for a certified positive dog trainer from the Victoria Stilwell Academy. A purple silhouette of a human hand and dog. The hand is offering orange bone-shaped treats, and the dog is wearing an orange handkerchief. Purple text above reads "Humane" and below "Training Alliance". This is the official emblem of the national positive dog training alliance Humane Training Alliance.