Playing games with your Labrador Retriever is an excellent way to keep it busy and strengthen the bond with your dog at the same time. While Labs love to play games and interact with their owners, they might get bored by playing the same games daily.
So, to keep the fun alive and your Lab active and healthy, we have compiled a list of the 5 fun games and activities for Labradors. We will also discuss how to play these games and how they can keep your dog active and occupied.
So, without any further delay, let’s see what these games for Labradors have to offer.
1. Fetch
When talking about the best games to play with dogs, the “fetch” games always comes to the top. It is because this game is excellent for both mental and physical stimulation, and because you are a part of this game as well, it creates a unique bond between you and your dog.
The best way to start teaching this game to your Lab is by using its favorite toy. Also, it’s better to teach commands to your puppy before making it play this game to make things easier.
If your Lab already knows commands, you can place its favorite toy at a distance and say “fetch” to make it pick it up. If it doesn’t know commands, here’s what you can do:
- Take your Lab’s favorite toy and put it at a distance while making sure it stays in its view.
- Point towards the toy to tell your dog to go and fetch it.
- When it goes to the toy and puts it in the mouth, ask it to come back to you with the toy. You can also encourage your dog by using some treats.
- When it brings it back, reward your Lab.
This activity is an excellent source of strengthening the bond with your pup and satisfying their desire of getting attention from you.
2. Water fetch
Water fetch also comes under the category of the best games for Labrador puppies. It combines the fetch game with swimming, making it an extremely useful exercise to keep your dog active and healthy.
While this game is simple, you’ll have to teach it to your dog in two steps.
First, you’ll have to teach him how to play the fetch game. Secondly, it should know how to swim.
Once that’s done, here’s what you do to play the game:
- Take your dog’s favorite toy or a ball and stand on one side of the pool or beach, wherever you choose to play the game.
- Then, throw the toy or ball in the water.
- Tell your puppy to fetch it. Your dog will jump into the water to chase it.
- When it does so, ask it to bring it back and reward it.
While swimming will ensure excellent exercise for the dog, the fetch game will help with mental stimulation. So, it’s better to play this game in summer to cope with the exhaustion of the sun.
3. Playing with a ball
As simple as it sounds, playing with a ball comes under easy-to-teach and easy-to-play games for dogs.
The best thing about it is that you can play it both inside and outside.
Here’s how to play the game.
- Take a ball. It can be both small and big, depending on your dog’s preference.
- Throw it and let it bounce. Your dog will chase the ball.
- Like the fetch game, you can ask your dog to bring back the ball.
- You can also have another family member on the other side to help you teach the game to your Lab.
Labs usually get enticed by the bouncing ball and run to catch it. This activity can ensure the physical fitness of your dog as well.
4. Frisbee
Frisbee is another game you can play with your Labrador to keep it physically stimulated. You can look for a good Frisbee for dogs. They also come for puppies, making it a great option among games for Labrador puppies.
You can teach Frisbee to your Labrador by throwing it slowly in the air and telling it to chase it. When it catches the Frisbee, tell it to bring it back.
Frisbee for Labs is much similar to the fetch game. The extra thing that comes with it is that you can even teach your dog to catch the Frisbee in midair.
They can also stay in the air longer compared to toys and balls, and your Lab will love to chase the Frisbee as it moves smoothly in the air.
5. Finding food
Finding food is an excellent game to play with dogs to help with mental stimulation. You can use treats or your dog’s regular food for this activity.
Here’s what you can do:
- Use small pieces of your dog’s food. It’s better to use dry food for this purpose.
- Try to create a puzzle where one piece leads to another.
- It’s better to do it inside or in a small room.
- Your dog will eat one piece, and while following the clue, it will find the next piece.
You can also find dog puzzles in which you can fill food for your dog to play with. While it may not help in physical stimulation, it’s an excellent source of mental stimulation for your Lab. Plus, both puppies and dogs can play this game.
Final Words
While games and activities are essential for your Labrador’s health, they’re an excellent source of bonding with your pet. Playing some games with your dog by taking time out of your busy routine will also satisfy their need for attention.
So, make sure you keep your dog active and healthy, and for that, our list of fun games and activities for Labradors will come in handy!