January 25, 2012
Posted in Pet Training

Dogs and children tend to get along fabulously, as both are energetic, full of life and up for anything. Kids tend to have wild imaginations and dogs will typically go along with all of their crazy ideas. However, there are certain games and activities kids can do with their dogs to provide hours of fun and necessary exercise, The Bark reports.

Kids can learn a lot about responsibility from owning a dog. Depending on how old your kids are, they can help feed the dog its Wellness Super5Mix pet food and can make sure its Durapet Dog Bowl is always filled with fresh water. If your kids are 10 or older, they might also be able to take part in training the dog or walking it on its Flexi Retractable Leash.

Although it is important that kids take part in caring for the four-legged family member, they should also simply enjoy the dog's company, the source reports.

Fun activities kids can do with their dogs in winter include using the snow on the ground to create obstacle courses that children can train the dogs to go through. Have your child go outside in snow gear and start to build ramps, walls or jumps that the family dog can use. Once the course is erected, have your son or daughter bring the dog outside to take it through the track a few times. Give your child plenty of treats like Greenies for Dogs to entice the dog to go through the obstacles. This activity will get both the human and canine members of your family outside in nature and burning calories.

If you have a hunting or retrieving breed like a Labrador retriever or a hound dog, your kids might be able to play games of hide and seek with pet products like a Lamb Chop Dog Toy or a Booda Squatters Bunny Dog Toy. To teach the dog to find the toys, kids should pair the stuffed animals with treats like 1-800-PetMeds Gourmet Biscuits or Happy Hips Chicken Breast Treats for Dogs first, so they catch on to the concept of the game. Kids should have their dogs sit, then place the biscuit and toy a few feet away and the say "find it!" to teach the dog the commands involved with the game. After a few weeks of this, the child will be able to let the dog sniff the toy, then hide it and use the same commands to have the pooch search out the toy, even if there aren't any treats around.

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