Engagement doesn’t always have to involve food or toys — physical activities like hide and seek, recall games, or trick training are fantastic ways to keep your dog’s mind and body active.
These games encourage problem-solving, build confidence, and give you opportunities to practice communication in a fun setting. Shared activities also create positive associations with learning and deepen the connection between you and your dog.
GOTCHA
Note: This game is not actually physical play, but it is a skill game I play with dogs that are new to me before I engage them in physical play. This game lets me communicate to them that if I reach out towards them, it’s all good!
With one hand, reach out and gently touch the dog’s neck as though to take them by the collar and say “GOTCHA!”. At precisely the same time, use your other hand to give them a treat—just feed it right to them—pop it right in their mouth!
Once they are comfortable, do this from various positions—sitting, standing, and walking.
The goal is for the dog to welcome you to reach for them and take them by the collar. They begin to learn you reaching for them is awesome!
This is a great skill game to play with any dog – and has many foundational applications. Few things are more important than being able to reach for a dog’s collar without inducing fear. This is an important skill game for all dogs and can be especially helpful for shy and fearful dogs.
TAG
At a distance from the dog, assume your best play stance (wide stance, knees bent), smile with your mouth open and look at them sideways with squinty eyes—then, laterally hop towards the dog (who should be looking at you). If he does not look afraid, reach out (without looming over them) and playfully touch or gently push at his neck, shoulder or rump—then move away.
Don’t come on too strong at first – easy does it until you can gauge their response! If they come after you with playful excitement – you can run a few steps – giggling is good. Depending on his response, getting on the ground and engaging them might be good – repeat what was fun for both parties! Adjust or end the game as needed if any unruly behaviour is triggered!
Tag can be the ticket to healthy fun engagement with people for some dogs – so don’t rule it out as a way to connect and play with a dog. But, that being said, it can frighten some dogs or result in over-arousal for others. Remember: games should NEVER induce fear and if unruly behaviours are triggered, the game should be modified to prevent such, or another game should be played instead.
For dogs that get too rowdy with tag, consider playing GO WILD AND FREEZE, or redirect the dog with LIFT or SPIN.
HIDE AND SEEK
This game is just as it sounds – you leave the room quickly and go hide, then call out and wait –
Hopefully, the dog will search for you and find you! Then, once he does, there is some giggling, crawling on the floor, hiding your face, petting, etc.
This game is great for foster dogs – it can help break the ice and build your relationship with them.
GO WILD AND FREEZE
Here’s another game that is played just as it sounds – First you look at the dog and say GO
WILD – and you jump around, make some noise, hop laterally, get silly, get excited. Hopefully, they will be encouraged to do the same and you can playfully engage and connect together.
Then, after a moment or two of wildness, say FREEZE and turn away from them, cross your arms, and say nothing at all – When he is calm, re-engage them and GO WILD again.
This is a good game for strong, young, impulsive dogs. It teaches them how to turn ON and OFF and rewards appropriate behaviour with play! It is actually quite fun to play a group version of this – one dog with more than one person – all going WILD! and then FREEZING. This is truly an amusing and quite useful game for dogs and humans alike.
TOUCH
Teach the dog to touch your hand. Hold the palm of your hand near their face. Wait for them to touch it with their nose, and then give them a treat. Keep your hand still once it is near their face. Do not reward mouthing. As he learns this, gradually put your hand in other positions so they have to move to touch it. This is the behaviour we want to shape: the dog seeks your outstretched hand—and it is a fun and positive experience!
Building on the foundation of touch and/or following your hand, introduce LIFT and SPIN
LIFT
Hold your hand above the dog’s head such that they have to lift up to touch it. This can be used to shape an impressive leap to touch your hand, which is FUN for many dogs.
SPIN
Move your right hand in a small clockwise circle over the dog’s nose. As they follow it, they will
SPIN in a tight circle. Gradually fade your hand over time as they learn the motion—they’ll begin to rely less and less on following your hand and will SPIN with only a hand gesture as a cue.
Many dogs LOVE to spin!
Activity-based games encourage problem-solving, confidence, and teamwork, giving your dog plenty of ways to burn energy while building a stronger connection with you. They’re especially useful for dogs who thrive on learning and interaction. For even more enrichment ideas, see our Food-Based Engagement Games for mealtime fun or Toy-Based Engagement Games for play-driven engagement.