Dog Play

The World of Dog Games

When someone says “dog game,” he could be referring to one of several different activities. If you’re a dog owner, then “dog game” probably brings to mind throwing a stick or a ball to your pet and watching her fetch it.

If your dog is professionally trained in various sports, then “dog games” might mean the formal dog trials that allow dogs to strut their stuff every year. Many people think of agility courses when they hear the word “dog game,” while others think of specialized toys that are developed for dogs. Finally, there are plenty of computer “dog games” where you can take care of a virtual pet or hone your dog skills.

We’ll take a look at the many different facets of “dog games,’ and get a better idea about what each variation of the term entails. Owning a dog is a lot of fun, and there are always lots of great dog games to get into to keep things even more interesting and exciting for both you and your dog.

Dog Trials

There are many different categories that fall under the umbrella of dog trials. Different breeds are known for having special skills in different sports according to the work that was expected of their breed. Various dog games have been developed to highlight those traits and characteristics. Games are then showcased in dog trials that usually occur once a year all around the world. Sometimes, dog games are grouped by breed; other times, a dog game may be geared towards a specific talent. Here are some examples.

The World Dog Games – This is the “big daddy” of dog games, where all sorts of breeds get together to participate in a kind of dog Olympics. The World Dog Games feature events like canine disc, agility and water sports. The World Dog Games are held at a different location in the world every year and serve two very important purposes: as a place for dogs to test their mettle against the best of the best, and as a way to educate the public about dogs and dog games in general.

Agility Courses – Many different dog organizations hold agility courses as a part of their annual dog game trials. Agility courses can be set up in a number of different configurations, all of which require dogs to use their ultimate skills to get through with flying colors. Think of this dog game as a kind of obstacle course for dogs, where hand signals must be known, and strength, speed, and courage are required.

Hunting Tests Hunting tests are another great example of a popular kind of dog game. Geared towards breeds best known for their impeccable hunting skills – like retrievers, spaniels and pointing breeds – hunting tests let dog owners showcase their pets’ best skills and top characteristics. Anyone who owns a hunting breed is sure to get a kick out of these kinds of dog games.

Field Trials – Field trials are similar to hunting tests, but place dogs up against one another. This kind of dog game is more competitive than regular hunting tests, and a lot more training is required.

Everyday Dog Games

There are a lot of different dog games that you can enjoy with your beloved pet. In fact, there’s no reason for your dog to ever get bored, thanks to the number of different options. In addition to everyday things like playing fetch and tossing around a ball, you can try things like:

• Pulling games, sort of like “tug-o-war” for dogs
• Dock diving, for dogs who enjoy the water
• Flyball, a dog game that involves a dog running over a series of jumps, grabbing a beanbag or another object from a box, then making his way back
• Racing, pitting one dog against another – or pitting a dog against a person!
• Disc dog, basically throwing a frisbee around and letting your dog get exceptional exercise and enhance his ability – all at the same time
• Mushing, if you live in a suitable climate, can be considered a dog game if it’s not required in daily life.
• Herding, letting your dog herd smaller animals – or even larger ones – to exercise his natural talents
• Rollerblading, where the dog accompanies you while you rollerblade.
• “Find the treat,” where you put your dog’s natural hunting skills to work for fun – and for a tasty reward!

Computer Dog Games For People

Can’t get enough of all the canine fun? There are plenty of dog games available for the computer, and for many popular video game consoles. Owning a virtual pet is a great way to learn a lot of interesting facts about certain breeds, and understand the responsibilities connected with having a real dog. Even if you’re not a huge fan of video games, if you enjoy dogs you’re bound to find computer dog games to be a real treat. Check below for a few great examples of computer dog games.

The Dog Island For Wii – In The Dog Island, you get to choose and customize your very own doggy character and let him or her participate in a bunch of fun activities on an island populated with tons of different dogs. There are lots of engaging mini-games to enjoy on The Dog Island, as well as interesting facts about various breeds of dogs.

Showdog.com – This is just one example of the many different online dog games that are available these days. In it, you get to enter your virtual dog in a bunch of different dog shows. You also get to choose from more than 180 different breeds of dog; your favorite breed is sure to be represented here! It’s a neat way to see what it might be like to participate in a dog show, especially if you never have.

Petz Dogz – Another great example of a fun dog game for the video game console. In it, you get to design your own canine character then help him grow and learn new things. You can keep a pet journal, and take pictures, too. It is available for the Playstation 2, the Wii and the Nintendo DS.