Canine Life and Social Skills
Games and Exercises
Selection of Games and Exercises
Contents
About the C.L.A.S.S. Curriculum ..................................................................................................................................5
Exercises for All Levels ...............................................................................................................................................5
Circle and Sniff ...................................................................................................................................................... 5
Enrichment ........................................................................................................................................................... 6
See the USA........................................................................................................................................................... 6
Olympic Symbol Game.......................................................................................................................................... 6
Decathlon.............................................................................................................................................................. 6
Simon Says ............................................................................................................................................................ 7
Use It or Lose It ..................................................................................................................................................... 7
Canine Golf ........................................................................................................................................................... 7
B.A. Level Exercises ....................................................................................................................................................8
Wait at the Door ................................................................................................................................................................. 8
Simulated Doorways ............................................................................................................................................. 8
Come and Leashing Up Manners ........................................................................................................................................ 8
“Chase Me” Recalls ............................................................................................................................................... 8
Hide and Seek Recall ............................................................................................................................................. 8
Four-Corner Recalls for B.A. Level ........................................................................................................................ 9
Loose Leash Walking and Attention.................................................................................................................................... 9
Water and Spoon Game ....................................................................................................................................... 9
Walking Backwards/Adding Penalty Yards ........................................................................................................... 9
Voluntary Attention Game ................................................................................................................................... 9
Knotted Leash Game........................................................................................................................................... 10
The Name Game ................................................................................................................................................. 10
Meet and Greet ................................................................................................................................................................. 10
Pass the Puppy .................................................................................................................................................... 10
Fastest Sit ............................................................................................................................................................ 10
Bread and Cheese ............................................................................................................................................... 11
Leave It .............................................................................................................................................................................. 12
Hula Hoop Leave It.............................................................................................................................................. 12
March of the Cotton Balls ................................................................................................................................... 12
Stay .................................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Reward From Chair Stay ..................................................................................................................................... 12
Hula Hoop Stay ................................................................................................................................................... 12
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Settle ................................................................................................................................................................................. 13
Go To Your Mat Race .......................................................................................................................................... 13
Jolly/ Settle ......................................................................................................................................................... 13
Give and Take .................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Let’s Trade .......................................................................................................................................................... 13
M.A. Level Games and Exercises ............................................................................................................................... 14
Pass By Other Dogs .............................................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Tunnel of Love .................................................................................................................................................... 14
Pass By Other Dogs/Stay ................................................................................................................................................... 14
High Five Relay .................................................................................................................................................... 14
Find the Color ..................................................................................................................................................... 14
Wait at the Door ............................................................................................................................................................... 14
Hula Hoop Wait................................................................................................................................................... 14
Come and Leashing Up Manners/Stay .............................................................................................................................. 15
Aunt Agnes .......................................................................................................................................................... 15
Four-Corner Recalls for M.A. Level ..................................................................................................................... 15
Recall Relay ......................................................................................................................................................... 15
Sit, Down, and Stand ......................................................................................................................................................... 16
Treats On a Seat .................................................................................................................................................. 16
Stadium Wave ..................................................................................................................................................... 16
Dice Game ........................................................................................................................................................... 16
Handling/Stay .................................................................................................................................................................... 17
I Spy..................................................................................................................................................................... 17
Cowboy Relay ..................................................................................................................................................... 17
T-Shirt Race ......................................................................................................................................................... 17
Loose Leash Walking and Leave It/Stay ............................................................................................................................ 17
Tic Tac Toe .......................................................................................................................................................... 17
Spelling Bee......................................................................................................................................................... 18
Crime Scene Tape Walk ...................................................................................................................................... 18
Cheeseball Relay ................................................................................................................................................. 18
Ph.D. Level Games and Exercises .............................................................................................................................. 19
Loose Leash Walking/Stay................................................................................................................................................. 19
Musical Sits ......................................................................................................................................................... 19
Spoon and Egg Relay ........................................................................................................................................... 19
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Sharks in the Water ............................................................................................................................................ 19
NASCAR ............................................................................................................................................................... 19
Grocery Bag Relay ............................................................................................................................................... 20
Loose Leash Walking/Come and Leash Up Manners/Attention ....................................................................................... 21
Baseball ............................................................................................................................................................... 21
Back Up/Stay ..................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Folk Dancing........................................................................................................................................................ 21
Stay .................................................................................................................................................................................... 21
Gift Wrap Relay ................................................................................................................................................... 21
Big Ten Basketball Relay ..................................................................................................................................... 21
Stay/Come and Leash Up Manners ................................................................................................................................... 22
Leave It Hockey ................................................................................................................................................... 22
Cat Food Recalls .................................................................................................................................................. 22
Hot Dog Recalls ................................................................................................................................................... 22
Four-Corner Recalls for Ph.D. Level .................................................................................................................... 22
Meet and Greet ................................................................................................................................................................. 22
Pass the Dog Game ............................................................................................................................................. 23
Zig Zag Tail Wag .................................................................................................................................................. 23
Attention ........................................................................................................................................................................... 23
3 Second Party .................................................................................................................................................... 23
Table Manners .................................................................................................................................................................. 23
Bronte’s Café ...................................................................................................................................................... 23
Get a Grip ............................................................................................................................................................ 24
Do You Really Know Sit?.................................................................................................................................................... 24
Let’s Sit! .............................................................................................................................................................. 24
Appendix ................................................................................................................................................................. 24
Additional Resources for Games and Group Class Exercises ............................................................................................ 24
Cross Reference Table of Test Items ................................................................................................................................. 25
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About the C.L.A.S.S. Curriculum
The C.L.A.S.S. curriculum is designed to be fun and interactive. We have assembled stimulating and educational
games and exercises for teaching the behaviors required at each level of the C.L.A.S.S program. We hope group
class instructors will find the following exercises useful in the class setting. Feel free to teach the games and
exercises provided below in your C.L.A.S.S curriculum, and to modify the criteria of any game to fit the training
level of your students, or add your own positive reinforcement-based teaching tools.
Each exercise is intended to help the student and dog practice and proof each behavior to prepare for a future
C.L.A.S.S. evaluation. The games are not a test—encourage each student to train during the game/exercise and
to do what is needed to help the dog be successful.
The suggested course length for teaching a Canine Life and Social Skills course is six to eight weeks. Additionally,
a “mock evaluation” can be beneficial the last week of class to tie all of the behaviors together and to help
prepare your students for the real evaluation.
Keys to successful games in class:
Keep it simple
Keep it short
Make sure games help students and dogs improve desired skills
Use a variety of games in class and allow different dogs and owners to “shine”
Find ways to adapt games so that everyone is successful
Exercises for All Levels
B.A. Exercises
M.A. Exercises
Ph.D. Exercises
K9-BA
K9-MA
K9-PhD
Circle and Sniff (submitted by Nicole Wilde, CPDT-KA)
Circle and Sniff is a game that allows your canine students to check each other out via scent, without the close
physical greetings that can cause problems. It helps dogs to be calmer and to maintain better focus on their
owners during class, since they have already "met" the other dogs. The game may be played at the start of each
class; it is especially helpful at the first class of each session.
Here's how to play: Have your students bring a "comfort mat" to class, such as their dog's bed, a sheepskin mat,
or even a towel the dog spends time lying on at home. Arrange the student-dog teams in a large circle with a
comfort mat at each dog's station, with about 6’ between them. On your cue, have each student walk their dog
one station to the right, to the next dog's comfort mat. Allow the dogs to sniff the mats for a count of three. The
idea is to allow for a good sniff, but not to let the dogs linger so long that they'll be tempted to lay on the mats,
or worse, urine-mark them. After three seconds, move the students to the next mat. Continue until the teams
are back at their original positions.
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Enrichment (submitted by Cathy Bruce, CPDT-KA)
We all know the benefits of allowing a dog to scent and gather information about their environment. This is an
exercise you can do at the beginning of each class to allow high energy dogs—as well as shy and insecure dogs—
to focus and decompress. Place a number of household items scattered about in one area of your training area.
Suggestions for items: folding chairs, large stuffed animals, children’s toys, umbrellas, suitcase, rollerblades or
really anything else you have on hand. You can purchase many of these items for little cost at most thrift shops
or dollar stores. As dogs and owners arrive, have teams walk their dog through the enrichment area one at a
time, letting them sniff any object they wish to. There is no food involved with this exercise. Owners can praise
shy and insecure dogs for showing courage to sniff items.
See the USA (submitted by Mira Jones, CPDT-KA, CDBC, ANWI™)
Have the handlers imagine the training room is the USA. Put markers, such as a labeled cone, a piece of paper,
or anything you have, for some major cities. The number of cities you can fit depends on the size of the room. For
example, NYC would be at one end of the room and LA would be at the other end. Add Chicago, Dallas, and any
city or number of cities you want.
Each handler gives you their plan before they go on their trip. (This gets the handler to be proactive and have a
plan, and it has the potential to give the dog some clues because they may read their handler’s intent).
Sample trip:
"Fido and I are going to start our trip in Miami where we Sit-Down-Stand. Then we will leisurely loose leash walk
to Atlanta where Fido will check in with me. Fido will Stay in Atlanta while I walk to NYC, do a jumping jack, then
call Fido to run towards me, target my palm, and then Sit quietly for a snack. From NYC we will jog on a loose
leash to Seattle where we will stop at Starbucks. Fido will lie down on his mat and wait while I enjoy my
latte. (Have a mat, table, and chair ready in Seattle.)
Olympic Symbol Game (submitted by Terry Ryan, CPDT-KA)
Set up 5 hula hoops (or use tape to create the rings) to resemble the Olympic rings. (If you want to be authentic,
the colors are black, blue, yellow, red, and green.) Each ring will be a station to perform a different skill. One at
a time, a student will have their dog step into a ring and perform the skill you have assigned to that ring. For
example, one ring can be sit, another can be down, another can be touching your dog’s tail, another can be a
trick, another can be a wait while the owner moves to the end of the leash and calls their dog.
Decathlon (submitted by Terry Ryan, CPDT-KA)
Make a list of behaviors and skills that you would like your class to practice. That list will be your decathlon
“events.” Divide the class into 2 teams. The class will be told what, but not how, behaviors will be performed.
Each team will decide which member of the team is doing which event. When the event is called, the
handler/dog from each team approaches the event area and the instructor says how the behavior will be
performed. (Example 1: When the Sit event is called, the instructor asks each participant to have their dog sit
Page 6 (9/2013)
on a different surface for 5 seconds while an electric fan is blowing near them. Example 2: When the Come event
is called, the instructor asks each participant to put a bag on his head and call his dog from 10 feet away.)
Simon Says (submitted by Terry Ryan, CPDT-KA)
Make a list of behaviors and skills that you would like your class to practice. Instructor (or helper) calls out each
skill, for example, saying “Simon Says heel forward 3 steps and sit your dog,” “Simon Says down your dog,” or
“Simon Says have your dog target each of your hands.” If you want this to be a competition, eliminate a team,
one team at a time, who takes the longest to perform the skill.
Use It or Lose It (submitted by Terry Ryan, CPDT-KA)
Prepare slips of paper, at least one for each student, with a basic behavior or skill written on it (such as wait at
the door, sit-stay, settle, come, handling paws, back up, loose leash walking, attention.) Participants each draw
a slip and come up with an application for the behavior and demonstrate it. For example, if a handler drew
“stand-stay,” he could have his dog stand-stay as the handler bends over to wipe the dog’s “muddy” feet with
a towel. As another example, if a handler drew sit-stay,” the dog sit-stays while the handler goes to the door to
let the pizza man in.
Variation: Give students a week to come up with ideas and props for their exercise.
Canine Golf (submitted by Sue Pearson, CPDT-KA and Judy Warth)
Teach students to be aware of how many cues they are giving their dogs for each behavior. Make a list of
behaviors and skills that you would like your class to practice. Instructor (or helper) calls out a behavior and one
student at a time cues his dog to do the behavior. For each time a student gives a verbal or visual cue more than
once, he is assigned a point. The goal is to end up with zero points, which indicates that owners are not repeating
their cues over and over.
Variation: Divide the class into two circles, and see which team has the fewest point when they finish.
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B.A. Level Exercises
1.
Wait at the Door
K9-BA
Simulated Doorways (submitted by Cathy Bruce, CPDT-KA)
Set up two cones for each team about four to five feet apart and put a bar on the floor in between the two
cones to simulate a doorway threshold. You can use an agility bar from a jump or a 2 x 4 . Set up the dog in a sit
or a stand at the owner’s side and reward for position. Owner should indicate to dog to “Wait” with a flat palm
hand signal in front of dog’s face and verbal command and then try to cross the simulated threshold while dog
remains on the other side. Reward dog for waiting and then call dog through the “doorway.” After a number of
successful repetitions transfer the exercise to a real doorway.
2.
Come and Leashing Up Manners
K9-BA
“Chase Me” Recalls
This exercise can be done off-leash with assistants, or on a 15-20’ long line. The object is to increase the dog’s
drive and motivation through a combination of factors, including isolating it away from the group, enticing it
with the promise of a reward, and the owner’s exciting movement followed by inviting body language.
With the owners lined up on one side of the class, one at a time, have each student bring their dog out of the
line-up 10-15’ away, turn and sit their dog facing the group. To prevent the dog from moving before he’s called,
the Instructor holds the dog either by the back of the collar behind the dog’s head, or by restraining the dog
gently with her hands on the dog’s chest, in front of the dog’s forelegs. The student will replace the leash with
a long line for safety. Before moving away, the student tells the dog to wait, then with an exciting demeanor,
shows the dog a treat wafting it briefly in front of the dog’s nose. The student then excitedly runs or moves at a
fast pace (student dependent) to a position just in front of the rest of the line, crouches to reduce body posture,
and calls the dog. The Instructor immediately releases the dog the moment the owner says “come.”
Increase difficulty by having the students and dogs line up in two lines facing each other creating a lane at least
6’ wide or more. You may start out with a 10’ lane, and as the dogs improve, the lines can move closer to increase
difficulty. One at a time, have the student bring their dog to one end of the lane and leave it on a sit-stay as
above. The student runs or moves quickly to the other end of the lane, turns and calls the dog as above.
Other distractions can be added such as students playing with their dogs, squeaky toys, etc., as the dog runs
through the lines.
If the dog goes to another dog or is stopped by a distraction, the owner simply goes to him, takes him gently by
the collar under the dog’s head, says “come” and moving backwards, guides him to the end of the lane where
the owner was when he/she called. Praise the dog (verbal only), then turn the dog and try it again. When the
dog makes it all the way on his own, jackpot!
Hide and Seek Recall (submitted by Cathy Bruce, CPDT-KA)
Page 8 (9/2013)
Find a good hiding spot in the training area for one owner at a time to hide. You can use an agility A-frame, or a
card table, turned on its side, or some ring gates or ex-pens draped with a blanket or towel. Take the first
owner’s dog outside the room while the owner hides. (If the dog is shy or a bit nervous, the owner can take the
dog out and hand the dog to the instructor, then go back inside the room). Bring the dog back into the room
and have the owner call the dog to “Come.” Have the owner reward the dog for finding and coming to the
owner. If necessary, a long line may be used to limit the option of going to the other dogs.
Four-Corner Recalls for B.A. Level (submitted by Gail Fisher)
Have a student-dog team at each of the four corners of a square (10-15’ apart for example, using a long line if
necessary.) One at a time, each student will leave their dog, go to the next corner (clockwise or
counterclockwise) and face their dog. Pause and call the dog. Then the next student does it and so on around
the square.
3.
Loose Leash Walking and Attention
K9-BA
Water and Spoon Game (submitted by Gail Fisher)
Mark a start and end point with cones. Students start at the start line, and holding a full cup of water in one
hand, walk their dog to the finish line. The student who spills the least water, wins. Increase difficulty by placing
cones to weave around, or low barriers to step over or go around.
Walking Backwards/Adding Penalty Yards (submitted by Mychelle Blake, MSW, CDBC)
The instructor will act as the “lure.” The instructor will go out about 15 to 20 feet away from each dog, squat
down, and wave an especially good treat or a desired toy and call the dog excitedly (Make sure when calling
the dog NOT to use the recall command (come or here) or the dog’s name.)
Have the owner walk forward with the dog. As soon as the dog starts to pull forward with a taut leash, tell
the owner to walk backwards until he or she reaches the “starting line” so that the dog has lost all the ground
that he gained. (i.e. penalty yards!)
Ask the owner to wait for the dog to calm down and make eye contact or show general attention toward
the owner, and then have them move forward again. Again, every time the dog lunges forward, instruct the
owner to calmly walk backwards to the starting point.
When you can get to the point where the owner can walk three or four paces with the dog without the dog
lunging, say “Yes!” or click and give him a treat. If the owner can reach the “finish line,” instruct the owner
to give the dog an especially good “jackpot” treat and give him lots of praise and petting.
Voluntary Attention Game (submitted by Cathy Bruce, CPDT-KA, adapted from Patricia McConnell, PhD, CAAB)
The instructor will need a stopwatch for this game. Have each owner sit in a chair with the dog on leash next to
them. Owners are to wait for their dogs to look at them voluntarily within a two minute time frame. Each time
their dog makes eye contact with their owner, the owner is to jackpot reward their dog (several treats in a row)
and count the number of times their dog has made eye contact. The owner can use a clicker, or a marker word
such as “Yes!” when the dog looks at them. After two minutes is up, ask each owner how many “looks” they
received from their dog. Start exercise again and time for one minute and check results. The number of voluntary
“looks” should increase.
Page 9 (9/2013)
Knotted Leash Game (submitted by Gail Fisher)
Tie a loose knot in the middle of the leash, and have the students walk their dogs around the class area, making
sure that the knot doesn’t tighten.
The Name Game (submitted by Mychelle Blake, MSW, CDBC)
Have the owner stand with the dog on-leash, and when the dog is not actively looking the owner, ask the owner
to call out the dog’s name in a high-pitched, happy, and/or excited tone of voice. When the dog turns to look at
the owner, the owner should say “Yes!” or mark with a clicker and then the dog should be rewarded with a
treat. Then the instructor should have the owner wait for the dog to look away from the owner, and repeat the
exercise. You can also reset the exercise by tossing a treat away from the owner so that the dogs looks away to
get it.
4.
Meet and Greet
K9-BA
Pass the Puppy (submitted by Mychelle Blake, MSW, CDBC/adapted from Ian Dunbar’s Sirius Puppy Training)
While this game is called Pass the Puppy, you can also play with adult dogs. Take a dog away, with the owner’s
permission, from one of the students in class so that one student is “dogless.” Have that person turn to the
person next to them and ask greet them. The owner with the dog should ask their dog to sit while they greet
and talk to and shake hands with the visitor. The owners can say “Yes!” or click for the dog sitting and they can
hand a treat to the visitor for their dog. The visitor should ask the owner if they can give the dog the treat, or
for shyer dogs, they may prefer that the visitor toss the treat to the dog. Have the visitor move to the next
person and repeat. Once they have gone round the class, they can take their dog, and the instructor will take
another dog and have that student make the “rounds” of the class, until every student has done the same.
Fastest Sit (submitted by Ann Allums, CPDT-KA/adapted from Terry Ryan’s “Shoot Out at the OK Corral”)
You’ll need 2 helpers for this exercise. Call up 2 handler/dog teams at a time. (For safety, place a barrier between
the 2 handler/dog pairs, and have each dog facing away from the barrier.) On the count of 3, each handler cues
their dog to sit. As soon as the dog sits, a helper should walk toward the handler and dog, facing the dog, and
stop 5 feet from the team. The dog should maintain the sit while the helper counts to 3 and then moves away.
The handler may release their dog when the helper moves away. If the dog breaks the sit while the helper
approaches, the owner should reset the sit. Call up a second handler/dog team to repeat the process with the
handler/dog team who was able to release their dog the earliest each round.
Variation: Instead of having the helper stop 5 feet away, the helper will approach the handler/dog team, and
cue the dog to give paw, while the dog remains in a sit.
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Bread and Cheese (submitted by Terry Ryan, CPDT-KA)
Before you begin: The class should have practiced attention exercises and loose leash walking. Before you start
the exercise, do a safety check to make sure everyone is using a well-fitted collar and a sturdy leash. You may
want to add a second leash or replace a weak leash with a sturdier one. The students should practice without
dogs at first.
Set up: The marker (the “cheese wedge box”) is placed in the center of a room. Tape
a starting line at opposite walls from the cheese. About half way (at first) place the
baby gates as markers so the participants know how far to go. Later gates can be
replaced with tape. You can play music so people don’t hold their breath.
Demo: Instructors will demo the exercise first with toy dogs and coach the students
to do it with toy dogs before they use their own dogs. (As an added benefit, this is a
good opportunity for the dog to learn to be away from Mom or Dad for a few seconds,
as the instructor holds participant’s dog.)
Don’t skip any of the following steps! No rush! Take your time! Instructors, watch
body language at all times.
Step 1. Dogs are the Bread, People are the Cheese
Allow the dogs to see each other at a distance. Do not try to prevent your dog from
seeing the other. Get your dog’s attention on you. It’s okay to use a lure (magnet) at
first. If you have used a head halter, it might be helpful now.
A. Approach the central marker in strict heel position, straight on. Half way to
marker, turn into your dog (split), and heel back to start. Practice until it goes
smoothly.
B. Instead of turning around, turn ¼ circle into your dog and sit. Practice until it
goes smoothly.
C. Start going closer to marker. Practice until it goes smoothly.
D. Take away the marker. Practice until it goes smoothly.
E. Reduce usage of lures, and instead focus on rewarding spontaneous polite behavior.
Step 2. Dogs are the Cheese, People are the Bread
Next the people are on the outside of the sandwich. Go back to the beginning of Step 1, only now the dogs are
the cheese.
Step 3. Fluency
Ideas to build fluency include: reorder dogs, remove gates, reduce extra cues, and fade lures.
Page 11 (9/2013)
5.
Leave It
K9-BA
Hula Hoop Leave It (submitted by Heddie Leger, CDT, CHES, CPDT-KA)
The hoop is the tool to set the parameter of this exercise. First you must have the owners introduce the hula
hoop to the dogs by placing the hoops on the ground with treats around them. As the dogs sniff, step, and
explore, they become acclimated to the hoops. If a dog is a bit hesitant, tell the owners not to rush them. Some
dogs just take longer to become comfortable with new items.
To teach moving leave it: Have each owner place an item in the middle of the hula hoop. Have them walk their
dog around the hoop, so that the dog can look at the item, but not step over the hoop to get it. When a dog
looks away, or to the handler, instruct the owners to praise and reward (or click/treat) for a good leave it. Once
the dogs learn to leave it with the hoop in place, remove the hoop and repeat exercise.
For stationary leave it: This can also be done either with the dogs in a sit, down, or stand position with and
without the hoop. Reward process is the same as the moving leave it.
March of the Cotton Balls (credited to Lynne Young, AAT, CPDT-KA)
Sprinkle cotton balls all over the room and instruct students to condition a positive "leave it" cue as they walk
through the room.
7.
Stay
K9-BA
Reward From Chair Stay (submitted by Cathy Bruce, CPDT-KA)
Each owner gets a chair to put five treats on. Position the dogs approximately five to six feet away from their
chair in either a sit, down or stand. Using a hand signal, verbal cue or both, have the owners ask their dogs to
“stay” with the owners positioned off to the side between their dog and their chair. If a dog maintains position,
have the owner bring one treat from the chair to the dog. Have each owner repeat four times until all their
treats are gone. For small dogs whose eye level is not chair height, treats may be placed on the floor under the
chair.
Hula Hoop Stay (submitted by Heddie Leger, CDT, CHES, CPDT-KA)
Have each dog sit in the middle of a hula hoop lying on the ground. Have each owner give the stay cue. Each
owner will walk around their hoop at varying paces, stooping down to pick something up, change directions,
repeat, turn back to their dog, engage in conversation with someone, return to their dog, and release. Instruct
the owners to praise and reward their dogs for staying in place. Start the exercise with short increments of time
(i.e. five seconds) and add time as the dogs becomes proficient. Slowly add in duration of the stays and distance
between the owner and their dogs.
Page 12 (9/2013)
8.
Settle
K9-BA
Go To Your Mat Race (submitted by Dan Roy)
This game is meant to provide fun, competitive spirit, and skill at going to mat quickly to settle on cue. Students
and their dogs on leash start behind a line about 10 feet away from their mats. Give about six feet of spacing
between teams. At the sound of a doorbell ringing, each student races with their dog to their individual mat.
The dog who can get on their mat and lay down the quickest wins that round. I like to do the best of three
rounds. The owner gets a special reward and the dog gets a special one as well. Ties are broken with a run off.
Jolly/ Settle (submitted by Sue Pearson, MA, CPDT-KA and Judy Warth)
Owners are encouraged to “jolly up” their dogs by playing with them in a small area. When the instructor gives
the signal to “settle down,” owners should ask their dogs to sit or lie down. The assistant starts the stopwatch
at this point and tracks how long it takes the dogs to settle down. Record the time and see if the class can
improve their time from week to week.
9.
Give and Take
K9-BA
Let’s Trade (submitted by Cathy Bruce, CDPT-KA)
Give each owner a toy or chew bone. Instruct owners to get the dog engaged in picking up the toy or item in
their mouths. Once a dog has it, instruct owners to put a high value treat item in front of the dog’s nose so the
dog will drop the item in their mouth. Once the dog has dropped the item, reward with the treat. Note: the high
value treat item must be of higher value to the dog than what they have in their mouth. For safety with dogs
who may have resource guarding tendencies, instruct the owner not to put their treat holding hand in front of
the dogs face, but get the dog’s attention by tossing the high value treat about five to ten feet away so the dog
will not only drop the initial item from their mouth but also move away from it to get the high value treat,
allowing the owner to safely pick up the toy after the dog has moved away from it.
Page 13 (9/2013)
M.A. Level Games and Exercises
2.
4.
Pass By Other Dogs
Come and Leashing Up Manners
K9-MA
K9-MA
Tunnel of Love (submitted by Terry Ryan, CPDT-KA)
Dog and handlers form two lines facing each other about 6 feet apart (or more if necessary depending on the
dogs’ skill levels.) One at a time, handlers leave their dogs at one end of the “tunnel,” walk to the other end,
and call their dogs through to the other end. For increased distraction, handlers forming the tunnel can tap feet,
clap hands, sing, etc.
2.
8.
Pass By Other Dogs
Stay
K9-MA
K9-MA
High Five Relay Race (submitted by Abby Harrison, CPDT-KA)
Begin by dividing students into two teams. Each team lines up facing each other with a judge about 15 feet away
equally spaced between the two teams. Each team is to send a member (one at a time) to walk in a controlled
manner to the judge, ask their dog to sit (or down), slap a hand of the judge (high five), loose leash walk back to
their team, and then slap the hand of the next member so they may start. This is a great game because it works
on controlled walking, team effort, and the distractions of the other dog approaching.
Find the Color (submitted by Ann Allums, CPDT-KA/adapted from Terry Ryan’s “Rainbow Game”)
The instructor calls out a color and each student loose leash walks with their dog to find an object that matches
the color called. The students must keep their dogs at least 6 feet away from other dogs. When they find the
color, students should cue their dogs to sit-stay until all dogs are in a sit-stay.
Variation: When students find the color, students should put their hand on the object (whether it be on the
floor, a shelf, or a wall) and cue their dog to sit-stay (or down-stay) while their hand is on the object.
3.
Wait at the Door
K9-MA
Hula Hoop Wait (submitted by Ann Allums, CPDT-KA)
Place a hula hoop on the ground. A handler/dog team will loose leash walk to the hula hoop, and the dog will
sit-wait in front of the hula hoop while the handler picks up the hula hoop. Next, a helper will walk by the
handler/dog and take the hula hoop from the handler. After the helper walks away, the handler may release
the dog to move forward.
Variation: Instead of a helper walking by, have another handler/dog team walk by and take the hula hoop from
the handler while the dog is in a sit-wait.
Page 14 (9/2013)
4.
8.
Come and Leashing Up Manners
Stay
K9-MA
K9-MA
Aunt Agnes (submitted by Janine Pierce, CPDT-KA)
Materials/helpers needed:
1. “Agnes” a dog friendly “old lady” character in costume including purse and cane or walker. This person
should be quite dog-savvy, a good actor and familiar with the skill level of your students.
2. Chair or bench for students to help “Agnes” reach safely.
3. Long lines if needed for dog safety.
How to play: If your “Agnes” has a good enough costume and is a good actor, no need to tell your students she
(or he) is not really an elderly person. Ours enters the class in character and we tell the students that she’s come
to help us train. Mark off lines along opposite sides of your training space to simulate sidewalks on either side
of a street. Explain the following scenario to your class: each student will take a turn walking along one side of
the “street” as “Agnes” walks along the other. Agnes will waive in greeting, then act as though she’s falling down
or in some difficulty. Students will put their dogs in an emergency down stay, cross the “street” and help Agnes
to the chair/bench. If their dog breaks the stay, they have to get them back into position before continuing to
help Agnes. After Agnes is safely seated, they look both ways along the “street” and call their dog to them. No
need for any other explanation – turn Agnes loose and watch the fun!
Notes: Keep dogs and your “Agneses” safe! Use a long line if warranted – this game may not be appropriate for
all dogs. We’ve had some pretty excited dogs participating and some have grabbed the cane, etc. Have your
students step at least six feet to the side (away from Agnes) before calling their dogs.
The success of this game really depends on how good your Agnes is. Brief him/her on the personality of the dogs
(and humans) so he/she can tone the act down (or ramp it up) appropriately. Also, we start with the least skilled
dogs and work up to the most skilled; Agnes starts out pretty mellow and gets more outrageous with each dog.
This makes it easier for the dogs that go first, and lends great drama as the students gradually realize that Agnes
is not actually an elderly person. We’ve also learned (from some rather funny experiences) to “reveal” her to
the class after her performance to ensure our students don’t think we’re abusing an old person. Lastly, if you’re
doing this game outdoors (especially on concrete) and your Agnes falls hard like ours does, it’s a nice gesture to
put down blankets so she doesn’t skin up her knobby old knees.
Four-Corner Recalls for M.A. Level (submitted by Gail Fisher)
Have a student-dog team at each of the four corners of a square (10-15’ apart for example, using a long line if
necessary). Each student will leave their dog on an off-leash stay, go to the next corner (clockwise or
counterclockwise) and face their dog. Then have all students call their dogs to them simultaneously. Increase
distractions by having the remaining students distract from the center of the square.
Recall Relay (submitted by Terry Ryan, CPDT-KA)
Mark off a start line and finish line, 20 feet apart. Divide the class into 2 teams. One handler from each team
leaves their dog in a sit-wait at the start line, detaches their leash, and walks to the finish line. (Make sure to
have helpers to supervise the dogs.) From the finish line, handlers will turn and face their dogs. The instructor
will count to 3, at which point handlers call their dogs to come. The handlers may not move to get their dogs;
Page 15 (9/2013)
the dogs need to go to their handlers close enough for each handler to reattach the leash. When the handler on
one team has reattached their leash, the next person on the team may be called. If a dog breaks the sit-wait
before being called, the handler must reset their dog before continuing.
Variation: For more challenge, have handlers do a runaway recall.
5.
Sit, Down, and Stand
K9-MA
Treats On a Seat (submitted by Sue Pearson, M.A., CPDT-KA and Judy Warth/credited to Lisa Wright)
Everyone places five treats on their chair. When the instructor says “go,” they ask their dogs to sit (or lie down,
or stand). When the dog sits, handlers can sweep a treat off the chair for the dog. This will encourage the dog
to get up and will also reward the behavior. On the second and third sit, dog may not receive a food reward. On
the fourth sit, they receive a food reward. Owners may then ask for three sits in a row and then use the
remaining three treats as a jackpot. The reinforcement schedule and number of treats can be varied according
to the instructor’s wishes–this game teaches handlers to work without a treat in their hands; it also helps them
put the dog on a variable schedule of reinforcement. This game should be played using skills that the dog already
knows.
Stadium Wave (submitted by Terry Ryan, CPDT-KA)
The first student has their dog do a sit, down, and stand. The second student should be watching the first student
so that as soon as the first student’s dog is in a stand, the second student has their dog do a sit, down, and stand.
The third student should be watching the second student, and so on and so on. For variety, mix up the skills and
the direction of the “wave.”
Dice Game (submitted by Ann Allums, CPDT-KA/adapted from Terry Ryan’s “Roll the Dice”)
Create a “die” by wrapping a small to medium-sized cardboard box in plain paper. On each side of the box, write
a different skill or sequence of skills, as follows: 1. Sit-Stand, 2. Sit-Down, 3. Down-Sit, 4. Down-Stand, 5. StandSit, 6. Stand-Down. To play, roll the “die” and have the students cue their dogs to perform the behaviors that
are rolled.
Variation 1: Create a second “die” with dots for numbers 1-6. Roll the dice (both the skills die and the numbers
die.) The number rolled is the number of seconds that the students must have their dogs maintain each behavior
before releasing or cuing another behavior.
Variation 2: Students must have their dog stay in a chosen position while the dice are rolled.
Page 16 (9/2013)
6.
8.
Handling
Stay
K9-MA
K9-MA
I Spy (submitted by Terry Ryan, CPDT-KA)
Partner up classmates into 2-person teams. One team member will call out a body part on the dog of the other
team member, who will touch that body part on their own dog. For example, “I spy Fifi’s paw,” and Fifi’s owner
will touch Fifi’s paw. If the dog does not like being touched on a particular body part, have the owner use “peanut
butter therapy,” that is, touch the body part and follow it immediately with giving the dog a bit of peanut butter
(or other tasty treat) to make the touch predict a good thing.
Cowboy Relay (submitted by Terry Ryan, CPDT-KA)
Divide the class into 2 teams, and position each team on opposite sides of the room, offset from each other.
Give each team a bandana. When the instructor signals the start of the relay, the first student on each team will
put the bandana on their dog, loose leash walk to the other side of the room, and have their dog down-stay.
Then the student will remove the bandana, and while their dog stays, the student gives the bandana to the
second person on the team (and walks back to their dog). The second person repeats the process. The goal is to
get the whole team on the other side of the room.
T-Shirt Race (credited to Sara Reusche, CPDT-KA)
You will need a stopwatch and a bunch of fun t-shirts in different sizes. (You can find cheap t-shirts at garages
sales and thrift stores.) Place a pile of t-shirts at the end of the room. Time each handler as they loose leash walk
to the pile of t-shirts, put a t-shirt on their dog, and loose leash walk back across the room.
Variation: For more advanced dogs, handlers can place their dogs in a sit-stay after putting the t-shirts on them,
walk across the room, and call their dogs at the same time or individually.
7.
8.
Loose Leash Walking and Leave It
Stay
K9-MA
K9-MA
Tic Tac Toe (submitted by Mychelle Blake, MSW, CDBC/credited to Terry Ryan)
You need to create a life size Tic Tac Toe grid. If you teach on pavement or concrete, you can use chalk to draw
the lines on the ground. You can also use hula hoops to mark out the squares, PVC pipes, or target sticks—
whatever you have on hand that will mark out a squarish area big enough for a dog and a human to stand in will
work. Divide the class into two teams—the “sits” and the “downs.” Team Sit will go first with the first person
loose leash walking into a square and putting their dog into a sit stay. Then Team Down’s first person will go
into a square and put their dog into a down stay, and then the next team goes, and so on. If a dog breaks their
stay, the owner and dog have to leave their square and wait for their next turn. The first team that marks out
three squares in a row with all dogs maintaining a stay wins.
Variation: Each team has a different object as a marker, such as Team Frog and Team Fish. Each person loose
leash walks to a square, puts their dog into a sit stay, and drops the marker in the square. The dog must “leave
it” with the marker and other markers on the grid as the person and dog loose leash walk back to their seats.
Page 17 (9/2013)
Spelling Bee (submitted by Terry Ryan, CPDT-KA)
Using chalk or tape, draw letters of the alphabet using 8-foot long capital letters. Dogs must heel along the
outlines with their owners, and trace the letters. When they come to an intersecting line on the letter, they
must stop and sit for 3 seconds. For fun, you could use letters that spell words, such as the names of the dogs
in class. Easy letters are L, O, and S. Harder letters are A, B, E, and Y.
Variation: With the dog in the sit, have the handler walk around the dog while the dog stays. Add leave it
objects.
Crime Scene Tape Walk (credited to Lynne Young, AAT, CPDT-KA)
Measure equal lengths of crime scene tape for students to use for loose leash walking or heeling patterns.
After the walking exercise, measure the length of each tape to see if any “leashes” were stretched.
Cheeseball Relay (submitted by Janine Pierce, CPDT-KA)
Materials/helpers needed:
1. Large serving spoon and bowl of cheeseballs for each team
2. Additional (identical) objects to carry
3. Cones or other containers to hold cheeseballs brought back by team members
4. Helper for each team to stand behind start/finish line, hold cheeseball container and transfer spoon (and
object) from student to student
How to play: Divide the class into two teams. Members from each team line up behind team leaders. One at a
time, they walk their dogs from start lines to the cheeseball bowls carrying the spoon (and other object), pick
up cheeseballs in the spoon and carry them back to the helper waiting at start line. Spoon must be held in the
same hand as dog’s leash. No time limit – after all team members have had a turn, the team with the most
cheeseballs wins. Use of treats (even sacrificed cheeseballs), behaviors taught in class and creativity encouraged.
Notes: Make sure there is enough room in between the teams to keep dogs and humans safe – remember they
may be walking through a field of dropped cheeseballs. Otherwise you can make up any rules you like: we
typically mention that they can set down their objects at the bowls as they scoop cheeseballs but have to pick
them up before they step away, no “double dipping,” no holding cheeseballs with their hand cupped over the
spoon etc. It’s also a good idea to demo with a dog using lots of behaviors taught in class and generous rewards.
For more advanced students the course can include walking around chairs or other obstacles.
You can also use very full paper cups of water, pre-filled and set up on a table. Have team members walk across
your training space with a cup held in the same hand as their leash and deposit the water at the far end of the
course in identical containers. Measure the water level in the containers at the end of the game to determine
the winning team. This is a nice variation if you don’t have enough helpers, and fun outdoors in the summer!
Page 18 (9/2013)
Ph.D. Level Games and Exercises
1.
3.
Loose Leash Walking
Stay
K9-PhD
K9-PhD
Musical Sits (submitted by Susan Marshall-Herrick)
Instructor has the group loose leash walk around in a circle, while playing "How Much is that Doggie in the
Window" (or “Who Let the Dogs Out” for the younger crowd!) When the music stops, everyone who does not
have a dog, helps to see which dog’s rear end hits the floor last. That dog/owner is out of the game. We continue
to play the music until the last two dogs are left. The winner is the quickest sitter and gets a chewy prize. The
other participants all get a token of some sort.
No hand signals or cues are used for this game. Once owners stop, they may slide their hand down the leash to
signal to the dog they are stopping, but the dog must automatically sit. This is so the dogs learn that if they greet
people they know to sit and not jump on people, stop at corners and sit to cross streets, etc.
Spoon and Egg Relay (submitted by Terry Ryan, CPDT-KA)
Set up 2 identical rows of 4-6 cones (or chairs or other objects), placed 6 feet apart. Divide the class into 2
teams. Give each team a spoon and a plastic egg (or boiled egg, or cotton ball). The first person on each team
holds the egg in the spoon and weaves around each cone to the end and back again, then transfers the spoon
with the egg to the second person on the team. If the egg is dropped, time must be taken to replace the egg
on the spoon before continuing.
Sharks in the Water (submitted by Mychelle Blake, MSW, CDBC/credited to Terry Ryan, CPDT-KA)
I don’t remember where I first heard of this game or where the name comes from, but this is a great way to test
your students’ skills during distractions. Divide the class into two teams. Have each team form a line (if you have
an uneven number of people, one person can go twice). Set up two rows of cones – you can vary the number of
cones you use depending on how much room you have for the class, but it should be an even number of cones
and there should be one more cone than number of team members on each team. So, for example, if each team
has five people, there should be twelve cones total (two lines of six). Have the first person on each team walk
to the first one and ask their dog for a sit at the cone. As soon as the two dogs sit, the next person in line for
each team starts walking to the second cone and ask their dogs to down at that cone. Then the third person in
line for each team walks to the third cone and asks for a sit or down. All the while this is happening, the dogs at
the previous cones must maintain a stay position for whichever behavior they were asked to do. When each
team member has made it to a cone, the team member who went first can leave his cone and move with the
dog to the last cone. At the last cone, they will ask for a behavior and then move out of the way. Then the person
at the second cone will follow, and so on until each person has made it by the cones. The first team to clear the
cones wins. You can vary the behaviors that the dogs are asked to do at each cones with stays or multiples of a
behavior (for example, they could ask for a sit-down-stand repeated combo). The point of the game is to ask for
loose leash walking and cued behaviors despite a lot of distractions.
NASCAR (submitted by Dawn Piche, CPDT-KA)
Page 19 (9/2013)
This game combines training with everyday distractions. Make an oval track with four to five pit stops. Each pit
stop has an activity relevant to what your students have learned over the weeks. One stop is stay, where the
dog is put into a stay on the inside of the track and the owner is on the outside of the track. On the track are
dogs that are working on their loose leash walking. The dogs performing loose leash walking must pass all five
stops and ignore what is happening in those stops. The dogs in the stops must ignore the dogs walking by them.
For the stay portion I will have the dog stay until four dogs pass, or if the class is smaller, until the dog has been
passed at least four times. If the dog has to be reset in a stay more than two times, then the dog must leave the
pit stop to open it up for another dog. That dog must then complete one lap before he can go into another pit
stop.
We give points to stations completed and the first dog to complete all stations wins a small prize. Some of the
stations are leave it, four on the floor, stay, down—whatever was covered in class. The dogs that are walking
the track are also given one station which is to “steal” four empty boxes from the bank, then with the boxes in
the same hand as the leash, get the dog to complete at least two laps of the track without loosing a box. Once
a dog has completed all the pit stops/stations they can take a small bathroom break but should return to offer
distractions to the other dogs still working on their stations.
Grocery Bag Relay (submitted by Dee Ganley, CPDT-KA, CBAC)
Instructor breaks the class into two teams for this game. Set out four cones to walk through about five feet apart
from one another in a straight row. Place two chairs or upside down boxes about half way down the row. Place
two chairs plus two mats about two feet away parallel from the chairs set up at both ends. Now place two empty
grocery bags at one end and on the boxes place six grocery items each (yogurt container, cereal boxes, soup
cans). The items can be empty or full.
Have a person from each team with their dog stationed in a sit or down stay on the mat. Each handler picks up
the grocery bag to start and then has to loose leash walk/weave through the cones and pick up items along the
way. When they reach the far chair they must take the items out of the bag while dog maintains a sit or down
stay. If the dog pops up, they must pick up items, reposition the dog and start again. Once all items are out of
the grocery bag, they then turn and walk back and drop/ leave the empty bag on the chair closest to the team.
The next dog/handler team picks up the bag as his or her dog does a down or sit stay on mat and then proceeds
and walks/weaves through the cones to the items now on the end chair and puts them in the bag and turns and
heads back through the cones and leaves the items on the box and then continues to the beginning chair.
This is done as a relay and dogs can't pull and must sit when handler is picking up or dropping off the groceries.
If the dog is pulling they must back up five paces and then proceed.
Page 20 (9/2013)
1.
4.
6.
Loose Leash Walking
Come and Leashing Up Manners
Attention
K9-PhD
K9-PhD
K9-PhD
Baseball (submitted by Bonnie Krupa, CPDT-KA)
Baseball is a great training game. You can even download baseball music to play while the clients are playing.
Each base is designated with certain cues.
Dog and owner teams loose leash walk to first, second and third base, then recall the dog from third base to
home. On the way to one of the bases they have to leave an item on the ground. They need to stay on one of
the bases while the owner runs the bases or walks around the dog dropping toys/treats as a distraction. Once
they get to a base they can do the watch me, look, sit and down commands. And they can also do back up at
one of the bases as well. Each trainer can be as creative as they want. The clients (especially kids) love it. Other
class members can participate as the crowd and they cheer for each dog on the home run. Note: Instructors can
download baseball music to play while the owner/dogs are playing. Additional base activities could include
running through a barrel or tunnel or over an agility obstacle.
2.
3.
Back Up
Stay
K9-PhD
K9-PhD
Folk Dancing (submitted by Terry Ryan, CPDT-KA)
The instructor will call out “moves” while music plays. Moves can be “sit your dog and tap your left/right foot,”
“down your dog and circle round your dog,” “move forward with your dog three steps and then back up three
steps,” “swing your arms while cueing your dog to sit.”
3.
Stay
K9-PhD
Gift Wrap Relay (submitted by Terry Ryan, CPDT-KA)
You’ll need 2 big boxes, each with a ribbon tied around it but the ends of the ribbon loose enough to tie a bow.
Divide the class into two teams. When the relay starts, the first person on each team has his dog sit-stay while
the person ties the bow on the box, unties the bow, then passes it to the next person on the team. The dog
must be in a sit-stay before each person starts to tie the bow.
Big Ten Basketball Relay (submitted by Sue Pearson, M.A., CPDT-KA and Judy Warth)
Divide the class into two teams. Each team has the same number of tennis balls. Dogs and owners from each
team will heel to a designated “free throw” line three to four feet away from their basket. You can use waste
baskets or buckets for the basket. Dogs must sit/stay while owners throw balls into the basket. If the ball misses
the basket or bounces out, the owner must retrieve the ball, return to the free throw line, re-sit the dog and try
again. Once owners have made the basket, the next dog and owner can start. Teams can be uneven numbers –
the game continues until one team has used all of their tennis balls. Children can rebound tennis balls that don’t
make it into the bucket!
Page 21 (9/2013)
This game can be adapted for more advanced classes by moving the free-throw line back about ten feet. Owners
put dogs on “stay” and can then move forward to shoot the basket. If dogs won’t stay, owners must stay with
them behind the free throw line, and try to shoot from there.
3.
4.
Stay
Come and Leashing Up Manners
K9-PhD
K9-PhD
Leave It Hockey (submitted by Ann Allums, CPDT-KA/adapted from Terry Ryan’s “Hockey”)
You will need a push broom as a hockey stick and a Frisbee as a puck. Mark off a start line and a finish line 20
feet apart. Have a student with their dog in a sit-stay or down-stay at the start line. The student will use the
broom to push the Frisbee toward the finish line while their dog stays. Then the student will have their dog wait,
detach their dog’s leash, (use a 20-foot long line held by the instructor for safety) and walk to the finish line. The
student will call their dog to come, and use the Frisbee as a leave it object. When the dog comes, the student
should attach the leash.
Cat Food Recalls (submitted by Sue Pearson, M.A., CPDT-KA and Judy Warth/credited to Jean Donaldson)
Instructor holds dog while owner moves across to the other side of the room. The classroom assistant “shows”
the dog a plate of tasty treats (tuna, cat food, canned dog food, liver). Assistant then moves to the middle of the
room, between the dog and owner, directly in the path of the recall. Owner calls dog – dog must run by the food
distraction. If dog stops to investigate, assistant immediately covers the food item with a large bowl so the dog
does not have access. Owner must keep working to get the dog to come. They can use treats and toys, but may
not pull the dog by the leash. This game can be done off-leash in a puppy class, or off-leash in a well-socialized
adult group. It can also be done on-leash with the instructor running behind the dog, holding, but not guiding
the dog with the leash. Reinforces recalls and always encourages owners to make themselves more interesting
to the dog in order to overcome the food distraction.
Hot Dog Recalls (submitted by Sue Pearson, M.A., CPDT-KA and Judy Warth)
Two teams of dogs to do long recalls. Handler from Team A and Team B go across the room to call their dogs.
Three hot dogs (or other treats) have been dropped on the floor between the dog and their handler. Handlers
try to call their dogs and keep them from eating the treats along the way. Points are based on how many treats
are on the floor after each recall. Team with the most points, wins. Note: If two dogs are running at the same
time, care should be taken to ensure that the dogs don’t get into a tangle over the treats on the floor—this can
be done by running them “on leash” until they get to their owner. Game can also be played with toys for the
distractions instead of food.
Four-Corner Recalls for Ph.D. Level (submitted by Gail Fisher)
Have a student-dog team at each of the four corners of a square (10-15’ apart for example, using a long line if
necessary). Each student will leave their dog on an off-leash stay, go to the next corner (clockwise or
counterclockwise) and face their dog. Then have all students call their dogs to them simultaneously. Increase
distractions by having the remaining students standing along the lane, crouching, playing with their dogs, playing
with squeaky toys, offering food treats, etc.
5.
Meet and Greet
K9-PhD
Page 22 (9/2013)
Pass the Dog Game (submitted by Cathy Bruce, CPDT-KA)
Arrange all dog/owner teams in a big circle. Starting with the instructor or assistant, approach one of the teams
as long as dog is sitting. Reward dog for sitting and take the leash from the owner. The owner of that dog moves
to the team on their left and approaches that dog if the dog sits, rewards the dog for sitting and takes the leash
of that dog releasing that dog’s owner to move to the next team to their left. All owners should be instructed to
try not to lean over the dog they are approaching and if the dog whose leash they are holding is a confident dog,
then they may pet the dog gently after rewarding for the sit. The pass off continues until all owners have rotated
around the circle and ended up back with their own dogs.
Zig Zag Tail Wag (submitted by Terry Ryan, CPDT-KA)
In a safe, confined area, set up 2 rows of seated, dogless assistants (2 to 3 assistants in each row). Each assistant
will have a bandana. The owner starts the dog with the first assistant in the first row, who praises the dog and
ties on a bandana (or slips the bandana over the dog’s head) and treats the dog. The first assistant in the second
row then calls the dog and ties on another bandana and treats the dog. Then the second assistant in the first
row calls the dog, and so on and so on, so that the dog is zig zagging back and forth between rows, until reaching
the end, when the owner calls the dog.
6.
Attention
K9-PhD
3 Second Party (submitted by Terry Ryan, CPDT-KA)
When the instructor says “go,” each student at the same time will get and keep their dog’s attention for 3
seconds. The instructor will count out the 3 seconds (e.g. “1 banana, 2 banana, 3 banana.”) Increase the
challenge by building duration and distraction.
7.
Table Manners
K9-PhD
Bronte’s Café (submitted by Dee Ganley, CPDT-KA, CABC)
This game was named after a client’s Airedale I used to work with! The first rule is that the owner should have
no treats on their body. The second rule is there should be plenty of treats at each "station" so that the owner
can reward good behavior.
The first station is the “Outdoor café” (inside the training center) complete with table settings, flowers etc. The
owners pretend to have "tea" and conversation all the while having their dog in a relaxed down or sit stay
minding their P's and Q's. The instructor or an assistant can pretend to be a passerby stopping to chat for a few
minutes.
Page 23 (9/2013)
Get a Grip (submitted by Terry Ryan, CPDT-KA)
Set up two tables, and place two small bowls and a pair of chopsticks on each table. One bowl has three marbles
in it and the other bowl is empty. Divide the class into two teams. Have one handler/dog from each team
approach the table, and settle their dogs in a down by the table. Then each handler will transfer the marbles to
the empty bowl using the chopsticks. The dog must stay in the settle position. If the dog breaks the down, the
handler must start over with the transfer.
8.
Do You Really Know Sit?
K9-PhD
Let’s Sit!
Have owners practice instructing dogs to sit from varying positions. Owner may ask their dog for a sit while
sitting in a chair, closing their eyes and with their back facing the dog, owner may place their hands on their
head, from standing ten feet away from their dog or with the owner lying on the ground. Get creative!
Appendix
Additional Resources for Games and Group Class Exercises
Brain Games for Dogs by Claire Arrowsmith
Learning Games by Kay Laurence
Crate Games For Self Control and Motivation DVD by Susan Garrett
Let the Games Begin DVD by Terry Ryan
Control Unleashed—Game Demonstrations 3-DVD Set by Leslie McDevitt
Fun and Games with Dogs by Roy Hunter
More Fun and Games with Dogs by Roy Hunter
Life Beyond Block Heeling by Terry Ryan
Terry Ryan's Group Games Set by Terry Ryan
Page 24 (9/2013)
Cross Reference Table of Test Items
Games/Exercises for All Levels
Enrichment
Circle and Sniff
See the USA
Olympic Symbol Game
Decathlon
Simon Says
Use It or Lose It
Canine Golf
B.A. Test Items
1.
Wait at the Door
Warm-Up Time
2.
Come and Leashing Up Manners
3.
Loose Leash Walking and Attention
4.
Meet and Greet

Bonus 1: Give Paw to an Unfamiliar Person
5.
Leave It
6.
Wait for the Food Bowl
7.
Stay
8.
Settle
9.

Give and Take
Bonus 2: Trick of Owner’s Choice
Games/Exercises
Simulated Doorways
Enrichment
“Chase Me” Recalls
Hide and Seek Recalls
Four-Corner Recalls
Water and Spoon Game
Knotted Leash Game
Walking Backwards/Adding Penalty
Yards
Voluntary Attention Game
The Name Game
Pass the Puppy
Bread and Cheese
Fastest Sit
Fastest Sit
Hula Hoop Leave It Game
March of the Cotton Balls
Reward from Chair Stay
Hula Hoop Stay
Go to Your Mat Race
Jolly/Settle
Let’s Trade
Page 25 (9/2013)
M.A. Test Items
Games/Exercises
1. Wait in the Car
2. Pass by Other Dogs
3. Wait at the Door
Warm-Up Time
4. Come and Leashing Up Manners
5. Sit, Down, and Stand
6. Handling
7. Loose Leash Walking and Leave It
8. Stay
High Five Relay Race
Find the Color
Tunnel of Love
Hula Hoop Wait
Enrichment
Aunt Agnes
Four-Corner Recalls
Recall Relay
Tunnel of Love
Treats on a Seat
Stadium Wave
Roll of the Dice
I Spy
Cowboy Relay
Cheeseball Relay
Spelling Bee
Crime Scene Tape Walk
Aunt Agnes
Tic Tac Toe
Cheeseball Relay
Cowboy Relay
Hive Five Relay Race
Find the Color
Recall Relay
 Bonus 1: Targeting
 Bonus 2: Trick of Owner’s Choice
Page 26 (9/2013)
Ph.D. Test Items
1.
Loose Leash Walking
2.
Back Up
3.
Stay
Warm-Up Time
4.
Come and Leashing Up Manners
5.
Meet and Greet
6.
Attention
7.
Table Manners
8.


Do You Really Know Sit?
Bonus 1: Do You Really Know Sit?
Bonus 2: Targeting with an Unfamiliar Person
Games/Exercises
NASCAR
Grocery Bag Relay
Baseball
Musical Sits
Sharks in the Water
Spoon and Egg Relay
Folk Dancing
Spoon and Egg Relay
NASCAR
Grocery Bag Relay
Sharks in the Water
Big Ten Basketball Relay
Four-Corner Recalls
Leave It Hockey
Gift Wrap Relay
Folk Dancing
Enrichment
Baseball
Cat Food Recalls
Hot Dog Recalls
Four-Corner Recalls
Leave It Hockey
Pass the Dog Game
Bread and Cheese
Zig Zag Tail Wag
Baseball
3 Second Party
Bronte’s Café
Get a Grip
Let’s Sit
Let’s Sit
Fastest Sit
Page 27 (9/2013)