Playing games is a fantastic, fun way to build your dogs confidence, optimism and resilience.
If your dog tends to be shy around unfamiliar individuals and feels uneasy in unfamiliar circumstances, it is likely that they could benefit from engaging in confidence-building games. By introducing new experiences in an enjoyable and positive manner, you can enhance your dog’s self-assurance. Utilizing games is a simple and effective approach to achieve this objective. Whether it involves free shaping games or interactive play, here are six games specifically designed to boost your dog’s confidence.
Boosting your dog’s confidence can be achieved through the use of play. Before diving into the specific games that can help build confidence, it is important to understand why games are beneficial for shy and fearful dogs. By understanding the root causes of their nervousness, it becomes easier to address the issue.
Confidence building games offer your dog an enjoyable and meaningful activity to focus on. These games are particularly advantageous for fearful dogs as they provide an opportunity to learn something new without the fear of negative consequences. Essentially, they offer a positive distraction from their surroundings.
By incorporating games into your dog’s routine, you can make situations more enjoyable and engaging for them, diverting their attention away from potential sources of anxiety.
It is important to note that some dogs may be more fearful than others, and expecting an overly anxious dog to immediately engage in play in certain situations may not be realistic. It is necessary to gradually build up their confidence. For instance, if your dog is fearful around strangers and you want to teach them to “touch” hands, start by using familiar friends and family members in familiar locations before progressing to strangers.
Building confidence takes time, but the beauty of using games is their versatility. They can be adapted to different situations and are easy to initiate. Moreover, since games are enjoyable, they also strengthen the bond between you and your dog.
Games to build your dog’s confidence.
- Cardboard Chaos
An absolute favourite game. Simply start with a shallow, wide box and sprinkle a handful of treats inside. Encourage your dog to put their head, or even their entire body, in the box to get the treats. After several repetitions over a number of days, and when your dog is ready, start to add other things to the box along side the treats.
You could try empty loo roll tubes, screwed up paper, empty plastic bottles, tea towels or even your dogs soft toys. As more things are added, the challenge increases and, depending on what you’ve added, the noises that it makes.
The idea is that your dog is rewarded for their bravery when they put their head into the box and has a good root about in all the textures, shapes and noise making objects. If you dog starts to struggle try a bigger box or reduce the amount of other things in the box. The aim is to keep your dog successful ad having fun with the game. - Brain Games
Consider investing in interactive puzzle toys specifically designed to challenge your dog’s problem-solving abilities. These toys feature hidden compartments where you can place treats or kibble. By manipulating the toy to retrieve the treats, your dog engages in a mentally stimulating activity that not only entertains them but also rewards them. It is recommended to start with puzzle toys that have a lower difficulty level and gradually progress to more challenging ones. Alternatively, you can create your own DIY treat dispenser. - Toy Stuffing.
Similar to cardboard chaos, toy stuffing is another way to spice up treats or even mealtimes. These toys, such as the KONG, come in various sizes to suit your dog (generally, bigger ones are easier for dogs as the hole is larger).
To begin, fill the toy with treats or kibble that can easily fall out. Once your dog becomes adept at retrieving the food, you can gradually increase the level of difficulty. This can be done by either plugging the end with some soften the dry food (a tiny amount of boiling water will soften the kibble; just make sure it is cool before giving t to your dog) or a small amount of a stiff wet food.
As your dog master each level, over several days, make it even more challenging by packing it tighter and incorporating sticky substances like Marmite or peanut butter. Additionally, you can experiment with adding different items to the stuffing mix, such as fruits, vegetables, treats, fresh meat, spreadable cheese, or pate. By varying the contents and mixture, you can maintain your dog’s interest. Remember to pack the food tightly to increase the challenge, and place the most enticing food at the opposite end to help build their resilience as they work their way to get them.
For an added twist, you can freeze the food inside the toy using water or gravy, providing a refreshing treat on hot days. Just ensure that you offer this to your dog on a hard, easy-to-clean surface. - Targeting
Targeting is a confidence-building game for dogs that involves teaching them to touch an object, usually with their nose. Although it may not be considered a traditional game, it can be a great activity to boost your dog’s confidence in various situations. One specific aspect of targeting that can be particularly helpful is as a gentle way to teach your dog to touch hands, as it can help them become more comfortable around strangers. By focusing their attention on the approaching hand and letting them know it is nothing to fear, you can help build their confidence.
To teach your dog to touch your hand, all you need are some tasty treats and an open hand. Simply hold out your hand with your palm facing your dog and wait for them to sniff, touch, or lick it. As soon as they do, mark (gentle clicker or word) and give them a treat. Repeat this process with your other hand. Once your dog becomes familiar with the exercise, introduce the word “touch” at the moment they make contact with your hand.
While most dogs are naturally curious and will investigate your hand when you present it to them, some may show little interest. In such cases, you can use treats to encourage them. Place treats in your between your fingers of an open hand; mark and reward your dog as soon as they touch it. After a few repetitions, you can start adding the verbal cue “touch.”
Once your dog has mastered this skill, you can gradually increase the difficulty by practicing outdoors with distractions or, after a lot of repetitions and only when your dog is ready, by having your friends and neighbours offer their hands for your dog to touch. - Free shaping
Teaching your dog anything is a great confidence booster, and free shaping is one of the very best ways to train with a nervous dog. Free shaping involves breaking down a behaviour into small steps to teach it without any corrections. It’s a great way to encourage your dog to try new things without worrying about making mistakes.
To start, simply place a box (a different one to the cardboard chaos box, ideally) on the ground and let your dog investigate without any cues. When they offer a behaviour like sniffing or looking at the box, mark, then reward them with treats and praise. Let your dog go back to the box and simply wait for them to offer another behaviour and repeat the process. Remember, shaping can be done with any object, not just boxes. For example, you can shape your dog to sit on a door mat
The best part about free shaping is that your dog can’t make a mistake. Whatever behaviour they choose will be praised, which can boost the confidence of shy or fearful dogs. If your dog gets anxious in new situations, you can practice free shaping in the comfort of your own home.
If you’re unsure where to start with free shaping, get in touch with me or check out this article on shaping techniques. And if you’re still confused about what shaping is, don’t worry, you’re not alone. It took me some time to understand it too until I watched a video by Dr. Sophia Yin that explains the basics of free shaping exercises with your dog. - Interactive Games
Playing games with your dog is an excellent way to build confidence in dogs while providing mental and physical stimulation. Games not only keep dogs fit but also strengthen the bond between you both.
Tug of war is a personal favourite when it comes to interactive games. It offers meaningful play and engages your dog both mentally and physically. The best part is that you can play it indoors, making it convenient for any space. Carrying a a tug toy out on walks can help your dog shift their focus to you feel more at ease in potentially nerve-wracking situations.
Contrary to popular belief, playing tug of war does not make dogs aggressive, and letting them win does not make them dominant. In fact, it enhances the fun and encourages more play. Research has even shown that dogs who engage in tug of war with their owners tend to be more content and confident. Remember to follow some basic rules to ensure safety and fun during the game.
Playing fetch is another great way to boost your dog’s confidence and strengthen your bond. If you prefer playing indoors, try using a lightweight ball to avoid any accidents. For high-energy dogs, teaching them to play fetch with a frisbee outdoors is a fantastic option.
In Conclusion
Playing confidence-building games with your dog can be a fun and effective way to help them overcome their fears. These games provide a simple yet enjoyable approach to boosting your dog’s confidence in different situations. However, it’s crucial to consider your dog’s individual pace and not push them too hard. Remember, some dogs may be more fearful than others, and dealing with severe anxiety can be quite difficult.
If your dog shows extreme fear or shyness, please get in touch with me directly or seek help from a professional, qualified behaviourist in your area.
