How to Train Your Small Dog to Play 'Chase Me'

He may be little, but he’s full of energy. Your pint-sized pooch spends his time tearing around the house causing trouble. He’s the kids' perfect excuse for getting distracted from their homework and he’s always waiting to jump up at you as soon as you walk through the door. While his enthusiasm for life is great for the most part, it does get a bit wearing at times. What would be great is if you could channel his energy into a productive game. 

Playing 'chase me' is ideal in many ways. Firstly, it will help him blow off steam so he spends his time napping in the evenings instead of causing trouble. Secondly, it’s a safe game to play outside. That means you can send the kids out with the dog and when they come in half an hour later, they will all be tired and calm, allowing you to enjoy an evening of peace and quiet.

Training a dog to play 'chase me' is relatively straightforward. The biggest obstacle comes in conveying to him what it is exactly you want him to do. Once you’ve done that, you just need the right motivator to keep him interested. In many ways, it’s the ideal game to teach a small dog. This is because a large dog will catch you in no time at all, but you have a much better chance of tiring out a small dog because it will take him much longer to catch you.

If he’s a puppy he should be energetic and receptive. You could see results in just a few days. If he’s older and not quite the keen athlete he was in his youth, then you may need a couple of weeks. Succeed and you’ll have a fantastic form of exercise for the both of you.

Before training can begin you’ll need to gather a few bits. The first thing you will need is a space to train. A yard or local field is ideal. Avoid training in rooms where something is likely to get broken.

You will also need a generous supply of treats. Alternatively, break his favorite food into small chunks. Get your hands on a toy too. A tennis ball will do. A clicker will also be required for one of the methods. Then set aside 10 minutes each day for training.

Once you have all of the above, you will just need stamina and a pro-active attitude, then you can start!