The first exercise is to get your dog interested in your prey dummy. This is done by filling it with tasty smelly food such as cheese and sausages. Your dog won’t be able to resist the smell! Next let your dog have a good sniff and open it to show them what is inside, let them put their nose in and help themselves to a snack. Do this few times and then seal it back up and drop it on the floor in front of him and encourage them to pick it up. If does so, gently take it and again reward from the prey dummy.

If your dog isn’t a natural retriever all you need to do is persevere a little longer, just rewarding for touching the prey dummy with nose at your feet. With a bit of encouragement from you, your dog will eventually understand and start to pick the prey dummy up.

Do this several more times. We advise to have your dog on a lead at this stage as you need to ensure that the prey dummy remains your property and they are not able to run off with it to chew in a corner. If your dog is picking the prey dummy up and letting you take it you are ready to move onto the next stage.

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The next stage is to throw the prey dummy out and ask your dog to retrieve it. Again we advise keep your dog on a long line until the retrieve has been conditioned by requiring to bring the prey dummy back to you whereupon your dog gets rewarded from it as above. Try not to throw it too far whilst still conditioning the retrieve.

When your dog is happily retrieving the prey dummy reliably, you may move onto hiding it and getting them to find it. You can do this indoors to start with and move it to outside in your garden and then start to use it in this way on your walks.

One of the most important benefits of using play with your dog is that it helps strengthen the relationship between you and your dog. Play is fun, and involves both you and the dog. It makes you a team. Finding a game that you and your dog enjoy and then using that game all the time increases your value to your dog and helps your dog enjoy you more. With a deepening relationship, every interaction between you and your dog is more fun and more rewarding. With play, you can create a dynamic that will enrich not only your training, but your lives together

Final tip : Why not use your prey dummy to feed your dog on your lead walks every day? In this way your dog will learn to trot alongside you taking his food and imagine how focused and excited he will be every time you pick your prey dummy up?

A cotton/polyester blend rope toy. Ideal for tug games. Cotton rope toys stand out as an excellent option due to their durability, safety, and versatility. They provide a safe and satisfying outlet for dogs to alleviate stress and anxiety in a healthy manner. These toys are designed to withstand rough play and can endure the strong jaws of even the most enthusiastic chewers.

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A knotted rope ball designed for puppies. This ball is a cotton polyester blend making it a slightly softer feel on junior teeth. Cotton rope toys stand out as an excellent option due to their durability, safety, and versatility. They provide a safe and satisfying outlet for dogs to alleviate stress and anxiety in a healthy manner. These toys are designed to withstand rough play and can endure the strong jaws of even the most enthusiastic chewers.

Moreover, high-quality cotton rope toys are generally free from harmful chemicals or toxins, ensuring the safety of your furry friend during playtime. The natural fibers of cotton ropes act as a gentle abrasive, helping to remove plaque and tartar buildup, thus reducing the risk of dental diseases and bad breath.

The texture and design of cotton rope toys make them easy to grip, enticing dogs to run, jump, and burn off energy. This exercise not only keeps them physically fit but also helps prevent obesity and related health problems.