Dog Game Finder

3 Short Games for Gentle Puppy Play

A toy choice, an easy hand target, and a brief check-in. Keep each turn short enough for a young puppy to enjoy and leave.

Try the first game Download the plan + record

About 2-4 minutes, with breaks. Free PDF. No email required.

Before you begin

Prepare a comfortable starting point.

For an awake, comfortable puppy with loose body language. These games are not a biting treatment or a substitute for sleep and toilet breaks.

  • Start after toilet needs and rest have been met. Choose a quiet, puppy-safe area with non-slip flooring.
  • Use two intact puppy-safe toys large enough not to swallow, plus a few suitable pieces of the normal food allowance.
  • One adult supervises. Keep children's hands, loose clothing, and other pets out of the play area.

Adjust the setup to your dog's reach and mobility. One easy turn can be the whole session. Let your dog opt out, and take a quiet break between games.

Three easy options

Play one game, then decide whether to continue.

30-60 seconds

Puppy Toy Trade

Prepare: Have two safe toys ready before play begins; keep them low and away from your body.

  1. Invite your puppy to explore one toy with slow, low movement.
  2. Offer the second toy and wait for a voluntary change of interest. Do not prise the first toy from their mouth.
  3. Pause after one or two easy switches. End before the puppy starts grabbing hands or clothes.

Stop if: Your puppy stiffens over a toy, guards it, bites skin, grabs harder, or cannot pause safely.

Make it easier: Let the puppy enjoy one safe toy while you supervise quietly; no trade is required.

Read the full Puppy Toy Trade guide

30 seconds

Target Train

Prepare: Put toys aside after the puppy has left them. Offer a low empty palm without leaning over the puppy.

  1. Reward a voluntary glance or sniff toward your palm.
  2. Lower the hand, pause, and offer one more easy turn only if your puppy approaches willingly.
  3. Finish after two or three turns. Do not repeat cues or move the hand into the puppy's face.

Stop if: The puppy backs away, grabs your hand, jumps repeatedly, or loses interest.

Make it easier: Reward one glance toward you with all hands comfortably away from the puppy's face.

Read the full Target Train guide

30 seconds

Eye Contact Game

Prepare: Sit sideways with a relaxed posture and a treat near your chest, not beside your eyes.

  1. Wait for one comfortable glance in your direction; a long stare is unnecessary.
  2. Mark the glance and reward low enough that the puppy does not need to jump.
  3. Try at most two more glances, then offer a quiet break.

Stop if: The puppy avoids your gaze, freezes, becomes mouthy, or seems sleepy or overwhelmed.

Make it easier: Accept a glance toward your shoulder instead of direct eye contact.

Read the full Eye Contact Game guide

A gentle seven-day plan

Repeat what feels comfortable.

This is a suggested practice rhythm, not a deadline or a promise of behavior change. Skip a day, repeat an easier day, or choose rest whenever your dog needs it.

Day 1

One toy, one minute

Offer one safe toy and end while play is still gentle. Record signs that the puppy needs rest.

Day 2

Offer a choice

Try one voluntary toy switch. Keep both toys low and do not pull an item away.

Day 3

Try two targets

At a separate quiet moment, reward two easy glances or sniffs toward a hand.

Day 4

One check-in

Reward one brief glance toward you. Finish before asking the puppy to wait.

Day 5

Repeat the easiest

Choose the game that produced the loosest, most comfortable engagement.

Day 6

Try two short games

If the puppy is rested, combine two tiny turns with a break. Three games are optional.

Day 7

Keep the best timing

Record the time and setup that worked. Sleepy, frantic, or mouthy sessions call for stopping, not more repetitions.

What to write in your record

Record rest/toilet readiness, the game, gentle engagement or grabbing, and when you stopped. Short comfortable turns count.

Use the blank seven-day table in the PDF. Keep your dog's name and notes on your own copy; this page does not store them.

Get the printable seven-day record

Free resource

Keep the plan beside you.

The printable pack includes all four situations, the game steps, and one seven-day record for each plan.

  • Print only the pages you need.
  • Clear preparation and stop conditions.
  • Links back to the full game guides.
Download the free starter pack

Free to download. No email required.

A different situation today?

Indoor boredom

An easy sniff, a voluntary hand target, and a place to pause: three quiet games for a low-risk dog in a small room.

After a walk

A small food scatter, a familiar mat, and noticing a calm choice. Use this only after your dog has cooled down and is comfortable at home.

Beginner focus

Build a voluntary check-in, a simple nose target, and one choice around a low box in a quiet room.