Brain Games for Puppies

Praise for Brain Games for Dogs, by the same author:

Ideal for the growing number of dog owners who know that mental activity is as important as exercise when it comes to their dog's health and happiness. -- Pet Business Magazine

Brain Games for Puppies is about more than just fun ways to play with a puppy. Animal behaviorist Claire Arrowsmith explains how mental challenges help to build a strong bond between a dog and its owner and prevent future behavioral problems. Playing games that use reward-based teaching methods provides motivation and establishes trust.

The book opens with a review of equipment and the essential obedience commands -- Puppy Sit, Puppy Down and Puppy Come -- as well as information on dog senses, using treats, addressing problems and responding to mistakes, safety, and much more. It covers equipment and using a clicker and addresses such issues as When Can A Puppy Begin To Play?, How To Encourage Play Behavior, Problems During Brain Games, and Play No-No's!

While some games provide more exercise than others, all of the games are brain games in that they challenge the puppy's ability to anticipate, solve problems and learn that by obeying commands it can continue to interact, play and have fun.

The brain games are organized by location and type:

• Home Games include Puppy Sensory Play and Fun in the Play Pen
• Active Games include Spin Spin and Buried Treasure
• Search Games include Find It and Where's Your Leash?
• Party Games include Take a Bow and Can I See Your Belly?
• Outdoor Games include In and Out and Round About and Football Fanatic.

The games come with step-by-step instructions, difficulty ratings and notes on props or toys. Straightforward text and full-color photographs make Brain Games for Puppies a valuable guide to raising a happy, healthy and obedient dog. Along with a leash, food, bowls and a bed, it should be the first purchase a new dog owner makes.

Claire Arrowsmith is a zoologist and applied animal behaviorist. She has conducted research in dog aggression, animal rescue, behavioral consultations and the training of hearing dogs for the deaf. She is the principal practitioner for the Pet Behavior Centre. Her books include Brain Games for Dogs.