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by | Nov 2, 2026

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Simple Home Games That Grow Into Dog Sports (Part 2)

Fulfilling your dog’s needs · Part 2

Start on the living room floor. End up with a dog sport.

You don’t need fancy kit or a club to start fulfilling your dog. These simple games tap into each part of the hunt, and some of them can grow into real dog sports if your dog loves them.

The noseStalk & chaseBite & tugPossessWhich game?
The 60-second version
  1. 1Hunt: find-it games → scentwork and mantrailing
  2. 2Stalk and chase: flirt pole → treibball (herding)
  3. 3Bite: tug with rules → bungee tugs and bite pillows
  4. 4Possess: shred boxes and carrying → retrieve work
  5. 5Pick the one that matches your dog and play 5 minutes a day
The hunt

For the nose-down dog

🏠

Start at home: find it

Scatter some of their dinner on the grass, then progress to hiding treats in boxes around a room. Add a cue like “find it!”

Can lead to: scentwork. Dogs search for a specific scent and learn an indication, a clear signal like freezing or lying down, to tell you “it’s here!”
🙈

Start at home: hide and seek

Let your dog watch a family member hide with their favourite treat or toy. Send them to find them and throw a party when they do.

Can lead to: mantrailing. Your dog follows one specific person’s scent trail. One dog works at a time, which is why it’s often recommended for reactive dogs. Always learn with an experienced, qualified instructor.
The stalk & chase

For the watcher and the runner

🎯

Start at home: flirt pole

Move the toy along the ground, pause to let them stalk and wait, then let them chase and catch it. Let them win often.

Play it safe: keep the toy low so they’re not leaping, keep chases short, avoid wet grass and hard floors, skip it for young growing dogs, and warm up and cool down.
⚽

Start at home: push the ball

Teach a nose touch to your hand, then to a big ball. Reward every little push, then build up to pushing it into a “goal”.

Can lead to: treibball. Also called urban herding. Dogs push big exercise balls into a goal. It’s brilliant for dogs with a strong stalk and herd, and low impact for any size.
The bite

For the grabber and the tugger

🪢

Start at home: tug with rules

Toy up means wait, low means free game, “out” means let go (and letting go means more play). See the rules of play →

⬆️

Level up your kit

A bungee tug has a stretchy section that softens the jolts, kinder on your arms and your dog’s neck. A bite pillow or thick fleece tug gives them a full, satisfying mouthful to grip.

Thinking about bite sports? Only ever with a qualified, reputable trainer. For anxious dogs, calm tug games with clear rules are the place to start.
The possess

For the keeper and the shredder

📦

Start at home: shred box

Fill a cardboard box with scrunched paper and a few treats. Let them rip it apart. It’s allowed!

🎾

Start at home: carry and trade

Let them carry their toy proudly, then teach a trade so bringing it back always pays.

Can lead to: retrieve work. Dogs who love to carry can enjoy structured retrieve and dummy training.
Start small. Pick one game that matches your dog’s favourite part and play it for 5 minutes a day this week. Watch what changes. Not sure which part? Read Part 1 →
Test yourself

Which game would you try?

1. Your dog spends every walk with their nose glued to the ground.

A nose-down dog is a hunter. Searching games fulfil them far more than extra miles.

2. Your dog lunges after anything that moves.

The flirt pole gives the chase a safe outlet, and the pauses build self-control.

3. Your dog grabs the lead, your sleeve, anything they can get hold of.

They need to grip. Give them something they’re allowed to grab, with clear rules.

4. Your dog stares and crouches at other dogs, then creeps forward.

That’s a herder’s stalk. Pushing a ball lets them use it in a calm, controlled way.
Dog training in Harlow, Essex & beyond

Want help choosing the right game?

In one focused 1-to-1 hour, we’ll find your dog’s favourite part of the hunt and set you up with games to fulfil it.

Book a One Skill Workshop, £40 →
Part 1: Why anxious dogs need an outlet Read → The rules of play: teaching the out and more Read →

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