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Are you looking for some interesting outdoor activities to do with your dog? Look no further. We’ve put together some of our favorite outdoor dog training activities, all of which can be done at a Sniffspot.
Dog training at its most basic means teaching a dog to do (or not do) certain things. You probably already know this, and more than likely, you’ve taken part in some kinds of dog training. Maybe you’ve taught your dog to sit or stay, or taught them not to bark at the mail carrier.
There are several common types of dog training, including obedience training, behavioral training, agility training, and therapy training. You should always work with a licensed trainer for all types of “serious” training, such as behavioral training, and if you’re ever uncertain about anything behavior-related with your dog, consulting your trainer is always the best thing to do.
But you can also train your dog to do activities that are purely for their own enrichment. Enrichment refers to activities that stimulate the dog’s mind. Enrichment activities usually make the dog think, solve a problem, or use their instincts in interesting ways.
There are many different types of enrichment for dogs, and one fun and rewarding option is to train your dog to perform special activities or play games. Your options here are limitless, but in this article, we’ll cover some great outdoor activities for dogs that would be perfect to do at a Sniffspot.
It’s important to note that if your dog seems frustrated or not willing to engage in a given activity, then that activity is not actually enriching for your dog, so you should try other options. The key is to start simple and figure out what type of enrichment is best for your individual dog!
Dog scent training games: You can train your dog to use their excellent sense of smell to find things, and have fun doing it.
Focus games for dogs:
Outdoor games to play with your puppy: If you’re playing outside with a puppy, stick to games and training activities that keep them fairly close to you, and remember to keep the games simple. Here are some ideas for puppy training games:
Advanced dog training exercises:
You can also make any of the exercises we’ve talked about “advanced” by stepping up the difficulty gradually. Get creative!
For more fun outdoor activity ideas, check out our list of 10 unconventional ways to exercise your dog.
There is so much misinformation out there, we want to make sure we only provide the highest quality information to our community. We have all of our articles reviewed by qualified, positive-only trainers.
This is the trainer that reviewed this article:
Olivia Peterson, CCS
Owner - Sound Connection Dog Training
WSU Bachelors in Animal Science Business Management
Northwest School of Canine Studies (NWSCS) Certification
Does your dog ever growl when you walk by their food dish? Maybe they get possessive of treats, carrying them far away and giving you side-eye when you start to approach — or snarling at your other pets or children if they get too close.
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You thought your dog was house trained. Your home was clean from puddles of pee, those dreaded middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks were behind you, and you loved every minute of dog ownership… until your four-legged best friend started using the bathroom inside again. What’s going on?
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* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
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You’ve been told your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and — most importantly — spend time with you! Consistent physical activity can also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
Many dogs have gotten a bad reputation over the years for being "dangerous breeds." Rottweilers are among them. Like pit bulls and other large, blocky-headed types of dogs, these powerful and beautiful animals are often assumed to be aggressive.
Your dog is reactive. They’ll see another dog, person, or other stimulus in the environment (like a car or bike) while out on a walk and suddenly go crazy at the end of their leash. The barking, lunging, and growling feels embarrassing for you — and it’s clear that your pup isn’t having a great time either.
Does your dog display reactivity to other pets or people? Maybe they’re a new rescue pup and are still settling into your home. Or they were sick growing up, so you missed their critical socialization period. Possibly they’ve had a bad experience after being raised as a normal puppy.
Do you have a reactive dog or suspect you may have one? You’re not alone!
* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *
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Looking for the perfect place to play with your dog? We’ve got you covered!
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