Play Your Way To An Obedient Dog

Play Your Way To An Obedient Dog Play is often talked about as if it were a relief from serious learning. But for children, play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.

Remember when you were a kid and were always playing? You often made mistakes, but those mistakes never got in the way of you trying again, trying something new, and ultimately coming to a place of success. Dogs and other species are no different when it comes to the learning process that games and play offer. Failure is only a platform to try harder, mistakes are only a tool for learning the corr

ect movements and processes, frustration and stress are minimal and enhance rather than detract from reaching the goals of the game. Why Play?
“Play is training for the unexpected.” Marc Bekoff, Contemporary American biologist
Play does so many positive things for us in terms of learning. When we play:
• We build skills like confidence
• We strengthen relations with others
• We develop creative skills
• We problem solve and tinker
• We learn to be flexible
People who play learn to question something, predict an outcome, and evaluate their predictions through the process of play. When we play, we persist through challenges -- and we even enjoy it. Play builds excellent social and emotional skills and helps create an atmosphere where those skills are valued. Probably one of the most important aspects of play is the way it treats failure and mistakes as non-punitive, ensuring that we have opportunities to learn from whatever went wrong. Yes, play makes failure fun. I love the use of the word "tinker" to describe play. It's serious work, but it's also fun work. Play values the process of learning as well as well as what has been learned.

GameCraft Builder Challenge: Week 1 of The Stay on the Ground Game!Counter-surfing or joy-jumps that launch your dog int...
09/25/2025

GameCraft Builder Challenge: Week 1 of The Stay on the Ground Game!

Counter-surfing or joy-jumps that launch your dog into lap territory the second you sit? Those airborne greetings turn cozy downtime into chaos, straining joints and your chill vibe.

The Stay on the Ground Game flips it: A ground-loving glow-up via positive vibes, teaching four-paw calm as the ultimate reward magnet, keeping furniture and feelings intact.

Launch with the "Four Paws on the Floor" Game. Why foundational: It spotlights what you do want—grounded presence—creating a reward loop that outshines jumping's fleeting thrill.

Start simple: Quiet room, treats pocketed near couch. Mark "Yes!" the instant all paws hit floor; ignore jumps, reward returns. Ground gains glory!

Week 1 Challenge Worksheet for paw-plant tracking below. Floor's just the start—the full three-step settle is in the book [https://a.co/d/04u4meA]. Paws down?

GameCraft Builder Challenge: Week 1 of The Pedestrian Game!Leash walks that devolve into tugs-of-war around every passer...
09/24/2025

GameCraft Builder Challenge: Week 1 of The Pedestrian Game!

Leash walks that devolve into tugs-of-war around every passerby? That constant pull toward "intruders" turns fresh air into a battleground, fraying your nerves and risking your dog's safety in a world buzzing with people.

Flip the script with The Pedestrian Game: A distraction-proof blueprint for loose-leash bliss, where your dog learns to glide past chaos with laser focus on you, reclaiming walks as pure partnership.
Week 1's starter: The "People Statue" Game.

Why it rocks: It drills that still humans are snooze-worthy, channeling attention back to you and forging the focus foundation for busier streets.

Ease in: Quiet path, friend frozen 50 feet away. Reward every loose-leash step past them—ignore the statue, earn the jackpot!

Snag your Week 1 Challenge Worksheet for step-by-step tracking below. Just the statue warm-up—the full five-week chaos-conqueror is in the book [https://a.co/d/04u4meA].

Walk on!

GameCraft Builder Challenge: Week 1 of The Elevator Game!Ever feel your heart sink when your dog freezes up or cowers at...
09/23/2025

GameCraft Builder Challenge: Week 1 of The Elevator Game!

Ever feel your heart sink when your dog freezes up or cowers at the sight of a crate, carrier, or even a small room—turning what should be a quick errand into a full-blown anxiety meltdown? You're not alone; so many dog owners dread those confined spaces that seem to trigger pure panic, leaving everyone stressed and exhausted.

But here's the good news: there's a fun, game-based solution that turns fear into curiosity without a hint of force. The Elevator Game builds your dog's confidence step by step, making tight spots feel safe and even exciting.

This week, we kick off with the simplest foundation: the "What's in the Box?" Challenge. Why it matters: It sparks genuine interest in something scary, rewiring their brain to see it as a source of good things, not threats—laying the groundwork for calm in any enclosed space.

For your first micro-step, grab a simple cardboard box or basket and place it casually on the floor in a quiet spot. Just reward any tiny glance or sniff toward it with a treat dropped nearby—no pressure to interact yet. Watch how quickly curiosity blooms!

Download your Week 1 Challenge Worksheet to track every win and celebrate the progressbelow. Remember, this is just the spark—the full Elevator Game blueprint, with all five steps to elevator-ready calm, is waiting in the book [https://a.co/d/04u4meA].

Who's starting today?

Client Conversation of the Day:Client W: "So, how do you think he's fitting in with the pack?"Me: (client only has one d...
09/21/2025

Client Conversation of the Day:
Client W: "So, how do you think he's fitting in with the pack?"
Me: (client only has one dog) "Do you mean with you guys?"
Client: "Yes".
Me: "So, who gets to control the remote when you watch TV?"
Clients: (everyone points to dad, dad raises his hand).
Me: "Okay. Who gets to decide what you all eat for dinner?"
Clients: (everyone points to mom, mom raises her hand)
Me: (looking at dad) "And you don't complain when she's cooked something you didn't feel like..."
Client H: "Oh hell no. I'm just glad I don't have to do it."
Me: "Right. You guys have negotiated control over those things over years. A pack is a social agreement over resources. So, what have you negotiated with your dog?"
Clients: ......................................

Daily Tip for Training and Living With Dogs
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Canine Behavior https://shorturl.at/3BstS
All About Scent Workbooks https://shorturl.at/u0GbF
Workbooks for Dog Training Skills https://shorturl.at/pRojb

Visit Amazon's Workbooks for Dog Training Skills Page and shop for all Workbooks for Dog Training Skills books. Check out pictures, author information, and reviews of Workbooks for Dog Training Skills

The Puppy Playbook: Games & Skills WorkbookUnlock the Joy of Puppy Training with Fun, Interactive Games!Are you ready to...
09/18/2025

The Puppy Playbook: Games & Skills Workbook

Unlock the Joy of Puppy Training with Fun, Interactive Games!

Are you ready to embark on a tail-wagging adventure with your new furry friend? The Puppy Playbook: Games & Skills Workbook by Jamie Robinson is your ultimate guide to raising a happy, confident puppy through positive, play-based training. This comprehensive workbook is designed for busy pet parents who want to nurture their pup's potential without force or frustration.

Inside, you'll find:

Step-by-Step Games and Exercises: From targeting and basic manners (like "Sit," "Down," "Stay," and "Leave It") to enrichment activities such as fetch-tug, flirt pole, and dog soccer.
Specialized Sections: Dive into scent games like the Shell Game and Scavenger Hunt to harness your puppy's olfactory superpower; build focus and engagement with toy motivation and body language communication; master self-control, handling, socialization, and loose leash walking.
Interactive Tools for Progress: Quizzes, weekly challenges, rating tools, observation notes, reflection prompts, and troubleshooting tips to track your puppy's growth and tailor training to their unique personality.
Science-Based and Force-Free: Rooted in positive reinforcement, this workbook covers crate training, etiquette, grooming, and more, ensuring a strong bond and lifelong skills.
Whether you're a first-time puppy owner turning chaos into calm or enhancing your pup's class experience, this workbook offers flexibility—set your own pace, revisit sections, and celebrate milestones. No expert trainer required; just grab treats, a toy, and start playing!

https://a.co/d/ip7jfr2

09/17/2025
Congratulations on completing the GameCraft Builder Challenge! 🏆 You've unlocked the power to design games that truly en...
09/15/2025

Congratulations on completing the GameCraft Builder Challenge! 🏆 You've unlocked the power to design games that truly engage your dog's mind and spirit. Keep experimenting and sparking that joy! Get your Challenge PDFs at gamecraftlearning.com/creategames.html Buy the workbook https://a.co/d/fv3sGE9

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