Teach Your Golden Retriever These Two Games for Absolute Fun & Joy

If you’re like most dog owners, you’re always looking for ways to play and interact with your Golden Retriever.  Here are a couple of games that are easy to play with your dog and should provide many occasions for enjoyment.

 The “Toss the Coin” Trick 

Place a treat on your Golden's nose, preferably a flat treat. Hold her snout steady and her mouth closed so she doesn't try to get the treat. While gently holding her snout, say "Leave it," a few times. When you are ready to let go of your hand from her snout, say "Take it," and let her go for the treat. Of course, the treat will flip in the air and she will go scampering for it.

The ideal outcome of this game is for the treat to flip in midair and for her to catch it in her mouth. She won't be able to do this initially, but with practice on her part, as well as on your part in knowing where to place the treat on her nose, she will be able to flip the treat and catch it in midair. 

This game reinforces the "Leave it" and "Take it" command. You want to introduce your Golden to the "Leave it" command, particularly if she begins to chew on something she shouldn't in your house or out in the yard. This is also a very effective command if you have a small child in the house and you want to keep your dog from stealing treats the child is eating.

“Hide & Seek” With a Whistle

A great game to play by using a whistle is “hide and seek.” This game is best played if you have another person with you. Start by having one person hold your Golden back to keep from getting away while you stand about ten feet in front of her. Whistle a few times to entice her and get her attention. After whistling a few times, have your friend let her go. Your Golden’s natural tendency will be to bolt with enthusiasm toward you.

Do this exercise a few times. Then add some distance by having your friend hold your Golden back as you leave the room and hide in another. Start to whistle before your friend lets your puppy go. When your friend releases your puppy, she will race to the other rooms trying to find you as she hears you whistle. If she can't find you right away, keep on whistling. If you have to blow more than once, it's not because she didn't hear you, but rather she is trying to figure out the direction of the whistle.

When your Golden does find you, celebrate her achievement by playing with her or giving her a treat. As she gets better at the game, you can add more distance and time as you hide in different rooms.

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