Activities For Paintball Players With Dogs
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Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
Heading out to a paintball course is one of the most exhilarating things you can do. The excitement of getting to play your favorite game is unparalleled. Except, of course, when you get to hang out with your dog! So which to choose? Paintball or your favorite pup? Why not do both? That's right! There are plenty of ways to incorporate paintball with spending time with your dog. Time to find out how and have some serious fun.
Improve Your Aim
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Sunny Day
Free
Easy
30 min
Items needed
Tennis Ball
Activity description
If you want to be good at paintball, you need to have some seriously good aim. Not only do you need to shoot at moving targets but you also have to do so quickly and accurately. To practice improving your aim, you don't need to have a paintball gun on hand, a simple tennis ball will do! When playing fetch with your dog, you can practice your aim by visualizing targets and hitting them with the tennis ball. This activity is free (after the cost of a tennis ball!) and is ideally done outside on a nice day.
Step
1
Find a field
Find a nice, big field where you and your dog can play fetch and practice your paintball aim. Look for somewhere that is fenced in so you don't have to worry about your dog running away. Your own backyard will also suffice but the bigger the space, the further you will be able to throw and aim your ball!
Step
2
Targets
Pick a target where you will aim your tennis ball. Start with something larger and easy like a big tree or rock. After a few rounds of big targets, you can move on to more precise goals like a specific dandelion or spot on the ground in the distance. The harder the target, the better your paintball game will be!
Step
3
Aim and throw
With your target in view, wind up your tennis ball arm and throw! See if you can make the ball hit the target and get it there before your dog grabs the ball out of the air! Practice again and again, improving your aim and your paintball shot all while playing your dog's favorite game - fetch!
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Hide and Seek
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Any Day
Cheap
Easy
30 min
Items needed
Paintball Course
Treats
Activity description
Paintball courses are designed with hiding in mind. There are plenty of places to sneak around a paintball course, keeping undercover while you try to stay protected. Know who would love to play an epic game of hide and seek on a paintball course? Your dog! Pups are naturals at hide and seek as they will do anything to find their owners and, of course, a paintball course is the ideal place to hide! You can play hide and seek on an inside paintball course that allows dogs in any weather or head outside when the weather is nice. You may have to pay a fee to use the course but since you aren't actually playing paintball, it may be less expensive than a regular game!
Step
1
Find a course
Look for a nearby paintball course that will let you play with your dog. A course that has lots of hiding spots is best, so opt for one with many obstacles. Head to the course with your pup and walk them around on a leash, letting them sniff and take it all in. Once your dog is familiar with the area, get ready to play!
Step
2
Sit and stay
Have your dog sit and stay in the middle of the paintball course. While they are waiting patiently, you go and hide! The first few times, pick a hiding spot that is a little easy, where you are partially visible. As the game progresses, you can try more challenging hiding spots that will make your pup really need to search for you.
Step
3
Found you
Once you are hidden, call your dog's name just one time and see how quickly they can find you. It is also fun to watch how your dog goes about looking for you - do they sniff the ground or simply perk up their ears? How quickly and the method your pup uses to find you greatly depends on their breed. Paintball hide and seek is not only fun but informative!
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Flag Tag
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Sunny Day
Cheap
Easy
30 min
Items needed
Treats
Ribbons
Activity description
When playing paintball, teams are often marked with colored ribbons or tags. One way to play the game is to try to grab these ribbons off the opposing team and try to prevent the other team from getting your ribbon. Know who else can play this game? Your dog! While you will have to put down the paintball game to play (you don't want your pup to get hurt!), the main idea behind the game is still there when you play flag tag with your dog. This game is quite cheap, just the cost of a few ribbons, and is best when played outside where you and your dog can really run around.
Step
1
Ribbons
Get ready for your game of flag tag by tying ribbons to both you and your dog. A ribbon on your dog's collar, loosely tied is the perfect spot to attach your dog's tag. You don't want the ribbon to be too long or loose where your pup could get tangled on it. Tie your ribbon loosely on the belt loop of your pants. You want the ribbon to easily pull off if your dog tugs it.
Step
2
The rules
Teach your dog how to play flag tag by chasing them around a little bit at first, waving your ribbon enticingly. If your dog grabs the ribbon, reward them with a treat. This action and reward sequence will show your dog the main idea of the game, to pull each other's ribbons off! Once your pup understands that they are chasing the ribbon, you are ready to play!
Step
3
Play the field
Head to an open field or even just to your favorite paintball course. Start running around, trying to get your dog excited and then start to try to grab your dog's ribbon off of their collar. Since your dog knows that grabbing your ribbon will lead to a reward, they will automatically try to chase you as well. Whoever wins gets a treat (human or dog treat...whichever you prefer)!
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More Fun Ideas...
Run
There is a whole lot of running involved in paintball so why not get in shape and practice with your dog by your side? Grab your pup's leash and head out for a nice easy run - your paintball game will improve and your dog will love the extra exercise.
Opposites
Being really good at paintball means being able to shoot accurately with both hands. Try using your opposite hand (not your dominant one) as you play with your dog every day. Put the dog bowl down with your opposite hand, throw the tennis ball with the opposite hand and even pet your pup with the opposite hand.
Conclusion
You may have already been well aware that playing an actual game of paintball is not safe for your dog. However, you can now clearly see that there are plenty of ways that your dog can be involved in your paintball life. So head out for a game of paintball hide and seek, try throwing a tennis ball to improve your aim and just pet your dog with your less dominant hand. All of these pup friendly activities will make you a better paintball player and dog owner.