Welcome, puppy pals! Get ready to learn about a super fun and really important game you can play with your furry best friend: The Engage-Disengage Game. Sounds like a mouthful, right? But it’s actually super simple, super fun, and helps your puppy become the smartest, happiest, and best-behaved dog ever! Think of it like a secret superpower for your puppy!
At Puppy Heaven, we know how much you love your new little furball. This game is all about teaching your puppy to pay attention to you when you need them to (that’s “Engage”) and to calmly ignore things when it’s important (that’s “Disengage”). It’s like teaching them to listen to your voice even when exciting things are happening around them. This game is especially wonderful for all kinds of puppies, whether you have a playful Beagle, a cuddly Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, or a bouncy Cavapoo!
What is the Engage-Disengage Game, Exactly?
Imagine your puppy is like a super curious explorer! Everything is new and exciting: a butterfly flying by, a tasty crumb on the floor, another dog barking far away. Sometimes, it’s okay for them to explore. But other times, you need them to focus on you, like when you’re crossing the street or teaching them a new trick. The Engage-Disengage Game helps them understand when to do what.
It’s all about teaching your puppy to make good choices. When they “Engage,” they choose to pay attention to you. When they “Disengage,” they choose to ignore something distracting and stay calm. This game helps your puppy feel safe and confident, knowing they can trust you to guide them. Plus, it makes your bond with your puppy even stronger!
Why is this Game Super Important for Your Puppy?
- Safety First: If your puppy can “disengage” from something exciting (like a squirrel!) and come to you when called, it keeps them safe, especially when you’re outside.
- Happy Walks: No more pulling on the leash! A puppy who understands “engage” can walk nicely by your side, enjoying the stroll with you.
- Polite Greetings: When friends or family visit, your puppy can learn to “disengage” from jumping and “engage” with a calm, gentle greeting instead.
- Learning Fun: When your puppy can focus on you (“engage”), learning new tricks becomes much easier and more fun for both of you.
- Stronger Bond: Playing this game helps your puppy see you as their leader and best friend, someone they love to pay attention to.
Part 1: The “Engage” Magic – Getting Your Puppy’s Attention
The first part of our game is all about teaching your puppy to look at you and focus. This is like turning on their listening ears and looking eyes just for you! This is super helpful when you want to teach them things like “sit,” “stay,” or their name.
Game 1: The “Look at Me!” Game
This is one of the very first and most important things to teach your puppy. It’s so easy!
How to Play:
- Get Ready: Find a quiet spot with no distractions. Have some really tiny, yummy treats ready. Puppy-sized treats are best!
- Say Their Name: Hold a treat near your puppy’s nose. As they sniff it, slowly move the treat up towards your eyes.
- “Look at Me!” (or “Watch Me!”): The moment your puppy looks at your eyes, even for a quick second, say “Yes!” or “Good boy/girl!” in a happy voice, and give them the treat right away.
- Practice, Practice, Practice: Do this many times, but keep each session short, like 5-10 times, then take a break. Puppies have short attention spans!
Why it Works: Your puppy learns that looking at you means good things (treats and praise!) happen. Soon, just saying “Look at me!” or their name will make them focus on you, even without a treat in your hand every time.
This game is fantastic for all breeds, from tiny teacup puppies like a Chihuahua to playful larger breeds like a Corgi. Every puppy loves positive attention and tasty snacks!
Game 2: The “Puppy Name” Game
Your puppy’s name should always mean something good is about to happen! It’s like a happy signal that says, “Hey, I need your attention!”
How to Play:
- Call and Reward: When your puppy is not looking at you, say their name in a happy, clear voice.
- The Moment They Look: The instant their ears twitch, or their head turns towards you, quickly say “Yes!” and give them a treat or a happy pet.
- Hide and Seek (Easy Version): Start in a small room. Call your puppy’s name and hide just around a corner. When they find you, give them a super happy reward!
Why it Works: Your puppy learns that their name means “look at my human, something good is coming!” This builds a strong connection and helps them respond to you quickly.
Part 2: The “Disengage” Challenge – Helping Your Puppy Be Calm and Listen
This part of the game is about teaching your puppy to ignore things that might be too exciting or even a little bit dangerous. It helps them be calm and make smart choices.
Game 3: The “Leave It!” Game
“Leave It!” is one of the most important commands your puppy can learn for their safety. It teaches them to ignore things they shouldn’t touch or eat.
How to Play:
- Start Simple: Hold a yummy treat in your closed fist. Let your puppy sniff it, but don’t let them get it.
- Wait for Them to Stop Trying: They might lick, paw, or even bark at your hand. Just wait patiently. The moment they stop trying to get the treat and maybe even look away, open your hand and say “Yes!” then give them a *different*, even better treat from your other hand!
- Add the Word: Once they understand, put the treat on the floor, but cover it with your hand. When they try to get it, say “Leave It!” When they stop trying and look at you, say “Yes!” and give them the better treat from your hand.
- Make it Harder: Slowly move your hand away from the treat on the floor. If they go for it, cover it again and say “Leave It!” Keep practicing until they can “Leave It!” just by you saying the words, even if you don’t cover it.
Why it Works: Your puppy learns that ignoring something tempting leads to an even better reward from you. This is a game-changer for walking past tempting things on the ground or avoiding something dangerous.
Game 4: “Gentle Greetings”
Puppies love people! But sometimes, they get so excited they jump up. This game teaches them to “disengage” from jumping and “engage” with a gentle, calm greeting.
How to Play:
- Practice with You: When your puppy jumps on you, gently turn your back or step away. Don’t say anything. The moment all four paws are on the floor, turn back, praise them softly, and give them a gentle pet.
- Add Friends: Ask a friend to help. When your friend comes in, if the puppy jumps, your friend should turn their back and ignore the puppy. As soon as the puppy’s paws are on the floor, your friend can calmly greet them and give a gentle pet or a small treat.
- Reward Calmness: Always reward your puppy when they keep all four paws on the ground during greetings. They learn that being calm gets them what they want (attention!).
Why it Works: Your puppy learns that jumping gets them no attention, but keeping all paws on the floor gets them lots of love and attention! This is perfect for any puppy, from a fluffy Bichon Frise to an energetic Boston Terrier.
Different Ways to Play the Engage-Disengage Game
The best part about this game is that you can play it almost anywhere and anytime! It’s not just about formal training sessions; it’s about making good choices a habit for your puppy.
Playing at Home:
- Mealtime Manners: Before putting down their food bowl, ask your puppy to “sit” and “look at me.” When they do, put the bowl down. This helps them learn patience.
- Doorbell Disengage: When the doorbell rings, teach your puppy to go to a special mat or bed and “stay” there while you answer the door. Reward them for staying calm.
- Toy Time: When playing with a toy, practice “drop it!” (disengage) so they let go of the toy, and then “take it!” (engage) to pick it up again.
Playing on Walks:
- Distraction Walk: As you walk, if your puppy sees something exciting (another dog, a person, a leaf blowing), gently say their name. If they look at you, give them a treat and praise. This teaches them to “engage” with you even with distractions around. This works wonders for active breeds like Cocker Spaniels or even a smart Poodle.
- “Leash Engage”: Stop walking every few steps. When your puppy stops and looks at you (engages), say “Yes!” and continue walking. This helps them focus on you while on the leash.
- “Leave It” on the Ground: If your puppy tries to sniff or eat something on the ground, say “Leave It!” If they turn away, reward them big time!
Playing with Visitors:
- Calm Greetings: As mentioned, teach them that calm behavior gets them attention. If they jump, ignore. If they are calm, pet them gently.
- Passing Treats: Have visitors give your puppy a treat when all four paws are on the floor. This reinforces the idea that calm equals rewards.
Why This Game Makes Life Better for Everyone
The Engage-Disengage Game isn’t just about training; it’s about building a happy life together. It teaches your puppy to be a polite, confident, and well-adjusted member of your family. Imagine a world where your puppy listens to you, walks nicely on a leash, and greets everyone with a wagging tail instead of a jump! That’s the power of this game.
For Your Puppy:
- They feel safe because they know what you want them to do.
- They are less stressed because they don’t have to try to get everything they see.
- They are happier because they get lots of praise and treats for being good!
- They get to go more places with you because they are well-behaved.
For You and Your Family:
- You’ll have a much more enjoyable time with your puppy.
- Walks will be fun and relaxing instead of a wrestling match.
- Your puppy will be a joy to have around, not a source of frustration.
- Your bond with your puppy will grow stronger every day!
Tips for Being a Super Puppy Trainer (Yourself!)
You don’t need to be a professional trainer to play this game. Just follow these simple tips:
- Keep it Short and Sweet: Puppies have tiny attention spans! Train for 5-10 minutes, a few times a day. End on a good note.
- Always Be Happy and Positive: Use happy voices, praise, and yummy treats. Training should be fun, like a game! Never scold or get angry.
- Be Patient: Learning takes time. Some puppies learn faster than others, but every puppy can learn!
- Be Consistent: Everyone in your family should use the same words and methods. This helps your puppy understand what’s expected.
- High-Value Treats: Find out what treats your puppy loves the most! Small pieces of cooked chicken, cheese, or special puppy treats work best.
- Start Easy, Get Harder: Begin training in a quiet place. As your puppy gets better, slowly add more distractions.
- Celebrate Success: When your puppy does something right, throw a little party! Lots of praise, pets, and treats!
When Can You Start Playing?
You can start playing the Engage-Disengage Game as soon as you bring your puppy home! Even very young puppies are like little sponges, ready to soak up new information. The earlier you start, the easier it will be for them to learn these good habits. Remember, every puppy from a tiny Toy Poodle to a clever Dachshund can learn!
Different Types of Puppies and How They Learn
All puppies are unique, just like people! Some puppies are super energetic, like a Corgi, and might need more practice with “disengage” when they see exciting things. Others, like a calm Coton de Tulear, might find “engage” easier in a quiet setting but might need more practice around new sounds.
No matter what breed of puppy you have, or if you have a wonderful designer breed like a Bichapoo or a playful Cockapoo, the key is to make training fun and positive. They all want to please you and get those yummy treats!
For smart little ones like Havanese puppies or a tiny Papillon, these games can be a wonderful mental workout. Bigger, more active breeds like the French Bulldog or English Bulldog also benefit greatly from learning how to focus their energy. Every puppy from our available teacup and toy puppies to our Mini Doodles loves to learn and play!
Important Tools for the Game
You don’t need much to play this game, just a few simple things:
- Super Yummy Treats: These are your puppy’s paycheck! Make them small so your puppy doesn’t get too full.
- A Clicker (Optional): Some people use a clicker. It makes a clear “click” sound right when your puppy does something right, then you give the treat. It’s like a special “good job!” noise.
- A Quiet Space: Start training in a quiet room at home.
- Patience and a Happy Attitude: These are your most important tools!
A Quick Look: Engage vs. Disengage
Let’s make it super clear with a little table:
| What It Is | What Your Puppy Does | When It’s Useful | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engage | Focuses attention on YOU, makes eye contact, comes when called. | Learning new tricks, walking nicely, checking in with you. | You say their name, and they look at you. |
| Disengage | Ignores distractions, turns away from tempting things, stays calm. | Passing by other dogs, avoiding food on the street, not jumping on guests. | You say “Leave It!” and they walk away from a dropped treat. |
The Engage-Disengage Game is one of the best ways to build a fantastic relationship with your new puppy. It’s not just about commands; it’s about teaching them to be confident, polite, and happy members of your family. Remember to always make it fun, keep it positive, and celebrate every little success!
Ready to find your own smart puppy to play this game with? Check out all the adorable puppies available at Puppy Heaven. Whether you’re looking for purebred puppies or designer breeds, we have a wonderful selection waiting for their forever homes. Even if you’re waiting for puppies coming soon, you can start dreaming about all the fun games you’ll play!
Have fun playing The Engage-Disengage Game with your puppy. It’s an adventure you’ll both love, and it will help your puppy grow into the best companion you could ever wish for!
