How to make a puppy playtime?

To make a puppy playtime, set out a play routine, a regular routine will help your pup feel stable and calm, and help them understand what's happening. For puppies, a set playtime should happen at least once every day, so think about the best times to set aside to play with your pooch. Scheduling a play session at the same time as other exercise such as a walk, is often a good idea. You may also want to exercise and play with your pup to tire them out - play times in the evenings may help them to sleep much better. Tiring games such as tug-of-war, and in particular retrieval games, are a good way to help your pup get some exercise, as well as learn commands such as 'fetch' and 'drop'. Using treats can help your dog to learn the rules and encourage them to play nicely. Include obedience training in your play sessions, such as 'sit' and 'stay', as well as commands such as 'drop', 'leave' or 'fetch'. Only use appropriate toys during play, and if they pick up something they shouldn't, get too aggressive with a toy, or decide to nibble at your fingers - say a short, sharp command such as 'drop!' to stop the behaviour and get their attention.

Toys such as Kongs are a great way to keep your puppy busy. They can be used at all ages and are made for different types of dogs. Fill the Kong with something tasty at first so your puppy really wants to chew it. As your puppy gets older and more used to the Kong, you can really pack it in and so make them work harder. Activity balls are also another great way to keep your puppy entertained. As with the Kong, over time you can make it harder for the dog so they really have to think hard about how to get the food out – for example putting bigger treats in it will mean they do not fall out as easy.