Cat, Dog Games - Games Ideas for Your Cat, Dog, and You

For some pet owners, getting their pets to tolerate each other is a mission in itself. There are, however, many instances where the cat and dog has learned to co-exist peacefully, and even became friends. This happens easily if the pets grow up together. The next step in bring them closer would be to invent games that involve both the cat, dog, and a family member. Kids tend to have a lot more patience when it comes to this……
You might want to toy with these ideas as a starting point:

Play a game of “action and reward”. Although dogs tend to catch on to this a lot quicker, cats are by no means stupid (just look at how well they train YOU to get what they want). You might for instance offer a reward for sitting up straight, and later for rolling over. The “reward” will most probably be a tasty nibble, tasty enough to act as a motivating agent.

Another game for your cat, dog and you would be “find the treat”. In this case you will have to use a treat with a rather prominent scent, and, after teasing the animal with it, hide it away. How well you “hide” it will depend on how well accustomed to the game your cat and dog has become. The challenge lies in being the first to find the treat. Keep in mind that this might take a while to complete, especially if you “really hide it”. You could start off “training” the cat and dog by simply stuffing the treat under a loose pillow close to them, and gradually increase the difficulty as you go along.

The last idea is aimed at the cat, dog and your kid. Young girls, especially, can occupy themselves for hours on end doing this: Dress the cat and dog up as a “couple”, with different “themes” for different occasions. The dog might be the “groom”, and the cat the “bride”. Unfortunately this is not attainable with all cats and dogs - some animals are extremely uncomfortable with the idea of “wearing” anything more than its own fur, and some (like a Jack Russel, for instance) cannot keep still long enough.

Mutual activities, or games, will bring your cat, dog, and yourself closer. You will form a stronger bond between the two animals, and between them and yourself. All things taken into consideration, it can only be good.