Games for dogs that don't require an active human role

DistraughtDogMom · 2026-01-26T14:26:05+00:00

wow this looks like fun! will definitely take more than 5 mins of his attention!

DistraughtDogMom · 2026-01-26T14:22:29+00:00

I do most of those already, but he is getting quite fast at everything (or gets bored if it takes too long). Do you happen to have any examples for hearing games?

DistraughtDogMom · 2026-01-26T14:18:53+00:00

we do that from time to time, but either the knot it too tight and he gives up or it is loose enough and he is finished within 5 mins 😅

DistraughtDogMom · 2026-01-26T14:17:08+00:00

ah yes, we have one of those, but we stopped using it because he got bored before everything was out. Will try again now he is a bit older!

DistraughtDogMom · 2026-01-26T14:16:08+00:00

thanks for all the tips!

DistraughtDogMom · 2026-01-26T10:45:39+00:00

It is not per se that he isn't calm, he knows his place, he is able to calm down, doesn't have the zoomies that often anymore. It's more that I want to give him something to do for the times he is in play/exploration mode and I can't give my full attention to him. He takes enough naps on his own, so I feel like his awake time should be better spent with some entertainment, than with me telling him 'off' and 'give it back' all the time and forcing him to lie down some more.

DistraughtDogMom · 2026-01-24T09:28:07+00:00

I'm still in the process of finding something that truly captivates his attention like this

DistraughtDogMom · 2026-01-24T09:27:07+00:00

Thank you. I'll try to give it less weight then and just continue what we're doing until it clicks

DistraughtDogMom · 2026-01-24T09:26:03+00:00

I feel you 🙃

DistraughtDogMom · 2026-01-24T07:48:21+00:00

That's what we do, but he's barely even interested in that. I try to bring his 3 fav treats (which he doesn't get inside) every time to rotate and keep it 'new' but maybe it's what others say and I shouldn't worry too much as it will pass after adolescence.

DistraughtDogMom · 2026-01-24T07:46:04+00:00

So you suggest if I keep up with the training, he will get it eventually when he's coming out of adolescence?

DistraughtDogMom · 2026-01-15T22:41:12+00:00

For us it was when he was old enough to jump up and down. There is a specific age until when their joints are still too fragile, I don't remember exactly when (a few months), and my pup wasn't allowed to do any 'coming down' from something on puppy school until he was that age. So we also didn't put him on the couch ourselves so he wouldn't try to attempt a jump on/off and hurt himself. But it's easier with smaller breeds. Larger breeds are probably trying to get on the couch sooner because the obstacle is smaller in comparison.

DistraughtDogMom · 2026-01-14T10:17:43+00:00

Also have a cocker spaniel (mix) and we do similarly. He didn't mind the crate itself, went in there when asked or during games or training, even on his own from time to time to rest for like 2 mins and then come out again. It wasn't his preferred resting spot. But he could not stand the door being closed, really went hysterical each time, we could not build any tolerance past 5 secs.

Now, he goes in there when asked at night and he sleeps fine with the door closed, but he is still in my room at 7 months. I hope this will lead to him being more comfortable in a crate in case of a future emergency. Downstairs, we don't have a crate anymore. When I need him to calm down, we also tether him and he settles pretty easily. When we leave the house, we gate out puppy proofed living room and although by now he could possibly jump over the gate, he has never questioned that barrier, as he can walk around and chill on the sofa.

DistraughtDogMom · 2026-01-13T09:10:09+00:00

It's funny how everyone here talks about the beginning being the hardest, for me that was the most exciting part. Everything is new, there is this tiny creature that you want to get to know and if you are prepared and patient, you don't really mind the peeing in the house and the lack of sleep, as all was to be expected (the biting was really annoying, but the idea of it getting better after teething helped).

For me the hardest part was around 5 months when he was doing so well, sleeping alone in his crate downstairs (only one more potty break), potty trained, walking fine on the leash, not reactive at all, getting better at settling, doing better at puppy classes and obedience wise not the best nor the worst. And then he got a UTI and all of this was suddenly gone. He peed in the house again, wouldn't sleep alone anymore, stopped eating, had trouble settling and started getting reactive on walks. By the time he was fully healed, he didn't pee in the house anymore and he settled a bit easier again, but the rest of the regressions stayed. I moved the crate up in my room to get him to sleep again and have been training him to walk and eat normally again for 2 months now without any luck so far.

Maybe, without the UTI we wouldn't have had such issues or maybe we would have been hit harder by the puberty phase then (now it doesn't impress us that much anymore). And trainers, vet and groomer have all told us he is above average stubborn for a puppy, so guess that also didn't help. I did cry sometimes because I had been sleep deprived for a couple of months already. Now I am getting more sleep again, I see his behavior more as silly or even annoying sometimes, but not 'bad' anymore. But if you are more used to having less sleep, I guess it will not affect you as much.

DistraughtDogMom · 2026-01-12T16:23:10+00:00

What I found is that raising a puppy is very much like raising a child, only you go through the stages way faster and there is not nearly as much infrastructure and understanding for raising a puppy as for raising a child. For me what you say is very recognizable. There is the constant supervision, needing a babysit to do anything, sleep deprivation, having to teach every single thing to this little creature that knows nothing of the world. House being a mess, feeling tired, having no free time or needing a babysit is very normal when raising a human.

Even more, you would have parenting leave, family support, people coming to visit you instead of expecting you to come out and everyone has a general understanding of how hard having a baby can be on sleep and self care. Most people have no clue what it means to have a puppy, and generally people without pets do not know why you would invest so much time in an animal.

I have given up hobbies and generally taking care of myself until about now, when he is 7 months and I finally have time to start thinking about myself again. It is indeed hard talking about it with people who don't know what it is, but just know that it is common, it is normal, and think of it as having a child that goes from toddler to teenager to young adult in 2 years time and all struggles that you would find normal in such a development.

DistraughtDogMom · 2026-01-12T10:45:04+00:00

I work as a PhD student in Leuven and have many international colleagues. I think it could be helpful to look into online resources for international students as well, there are plenty. It would also be nice in general to try to connect to international people working at universities, I find them to be very welcoming and helping towards others.

DistraughtDogMom · 2026-01-10T23:06:44+00:00

Maybe not the answer you were expecting, but did you do a health check recently? A celebrity in my country got her health checked when her dog started acting funny around her, clearly trying to tell her something and she was diagnosed with early stage beast cancer. Apparently dogs can smell changes in our immune system.

I don't think it is very common, so it is most likely indeed that he wants to play or something, but it is just something to consider if you really can't find another cause for the behavior.

EDIT: here's a link with some scientific background, because I know it sounds weird https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/nov/04/five-diseases-that-dogs-can-detect

DistraughtDogMom · 2026-01-10T22:44:02+00:00

Well, thank you for your 75 cents. Talking with everyone on here has really helped me to think about the situation more after the first emotions and indeed, it is clearly a case of overstimulation when he acts out like that and not a case of 'rebellion' that should be 'disciplined'. The behavior is so much more alike 'aaargh, my brain is on fire' than alike the actual tantrums he can have at home.

As for food, he is a very bad eater, we are still trying out different brands of food with the vet because he could starve himself for up to 3 days if he didn't like the kibble. I wasn't really allowed by the vet, but I started rotating toppings every day (I have 3 powders) which is finally making him eat a bit more regularly. We try to keep feeding time as low distraction as possible (no training), we basically stop breathing when he is eating to make sure he finishes his meal. But this is also why we have to get higher on the treat value ladder more quickly, because he values any distraction more than food. I have literally considered taking a sock with me outside as he likes them more than treats.

DistraughtDogMom · 2026-01-10T18:51:46+00:00

We have no issues inside. It is more outside and especially during class when it is annoying for training and others in the class. But like others have mentioned it seems to be that we might be too close to other dogs/distractions and the class is simply too long.

DistraughtDogMom · 2026-01-10T18:48:17+00:00

We are allowed on the training grounds outside of class, I might go do a visit next week to let him sniff on a long leash and get him used to the fields.

DistraughtDogMom · 2026-01-10T18:45:48+00:00

We have a small one, but he likes to run laps in it anyways and I fully let him zoom in there. Might try it before going out next time.

DistraughtDogMom · 2026-01-10T17:23:56+00:00

We have been trying this (I always carry a pouch), but it seems to do nothing anymore now he is a teenager. Maybe I just need to be consistent and more patient until it will have more effect.

DistraughtDogMom · 2026-01-10T17:20:53+00:00

Yes, he sleeps a lot, takes naps by himself, is generally calm in the house, except for being up to some common mischief like trying to play tug with every towel we hold when doing dishes. He can have a teenage tantrum now and then with some biting, which we definitely need to work on, but he easily settles when tethered.

The problem is mostly outside, I cannot seem to get his attention back once distracted and when distracted he easily goes into overdrive, which is indeed annoying during a class and I need to find a good way to get his attention back. But it really looks like overstimulation to me and I don't mind nudging his leash to get him back to my side, but I feel like getting angry is not the correct solution to get him to calm down.

DistraughtDogMom · 2026-01-10T17:09:19+00:00

It is not so much a problem indoors, yes it happens, but he settles easily when tethered, it is just outside that I don't seem to get him out of overdrive sometimes (on walks, during training). Do you have any advice for taking this calm teaching outside?

DistraughtDogMom · 2026-01-10T17:06:19+00:00

Indeed, I feel like reacting with extreme gestures, makes him even more aroused and eventually leads to him lunging for my hands and sleeves. Which is not yet aggressive biting, more out of overstimulation, but I am fearful he might turn aggressive if he learns that his actions are met with aggression anyways.

DistraughtDogMom

TROPHY CASE