It is important to play with your dog or puppy every day.
Apart from being good exercise it is great fun for both of you.

Without play your dog will get bored and lazy.

This is especially true with bright intelligent dogs.

They really NEED the constant physical and mental stimulation that playtime gives them.

 

I have found the following games are great for my puppies

 

Hide the Toy

This has two variants  one is to hold it behind my back and the dog tries to guess which hand it will appear in.

 

The other variant is to hid it under a cushion or towel.

 

Dogs love games where they have to find things.

My bigger dog loves fetch the pebble on the beach - best of all when it f=drops in the sea and she can dredge up all the stones from the area it fell into with her front paws and she always does get the stone I have thrown.

 

Games with a Ragger or pull strengthen the dog but can get a bit out of hand as dogs may get excited about shaking things.

 

I would beware of cheap tennis balls which can damage a dog severely if the dog chews them. A hard rubber ball is preferable.

 

Dogs love to play and it will keep them bright and interested - and might do the same for you.