The "Ready, Steady, Go" — Dog Game #3

Back to home Home Top 20 Dog Games The "Ready, Steady, Go" Game # 3 · Behavioral & Enrichment The "Ready, Steady, Go" Teaches high-energy dogs how to control their excitement. What you need: Your dog's favorite toy. How to play Tell your dog to "sit" or "wait." Hold the toy out or gently roll it away while they stay. If they break the stay, calmly pick up the toy and reset. Say your release word ("Go!") and let them grab the toy. Coach's notes Start with 1-second waits; add a second per successful rep. A broken stay is information, not misbehavior — silently reset. Vary the release word position (start, middle, end of a sentence) so it's a cue, not a routine. Two-minute reps beat a 10-minute drill. If your dog loses interest Quick fixes when engagement drops mid-session. If your dog breaks the stay, shorten the pause to 1–2 seconds and reward calm waiting before you release. No sprint on 'GO'? Toss a favorite toy in the direction you want them to run for the first few reps. Big dogs may need a hallway or yard — cramped spaces flatten the excitement. Why it works Rooney and Bradshaw's play-behavior work shows structured impulse-control games build the same self-regulation that predicts owner-rated 'good manners.' References [ 7 ] Rooney, N. J., & Bradshaw, J. W. S. (2002). An experimental study of the effects of play upon the dog-human relationship. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 75, 161–176.

2 Hide and Seek # 4 Indoor Agility Course

Which cognitive muscle is your dog's strongest? Run the same science-based tasks from Duke in your living room and get your dog's full cognitive profile. Discover your dog's profile See all 20 games