Game #9 · Health & Fitness
Bubble Chasing
Visual tracking, mental focus, and low-impact cardio.
- What you need:
- A bottle of pet-safe, flavored bubbles (like bacon or peanut butter flavor).
How to play
- Blow one or two bubbles near your dog to see their reaction.
- Pop a bubble with your finger to show them it disappears safely.
- Blow a small stream of bubbles just above their head level.
- Encourage them as they chase and snap at the floating bubbles.
Coach's notes
- Use only pet-safe bubbles — regular soap causes eye and stomach irritation.
- Head-height max; don't send them jumping onto their hind legs repeatedly.
- Great low-impact option for seniors and post-surgery recovery.
- Rinse eyes and muzzle with plain water after long sessions.
If your dog loses interest
Quick fixes when engagement drops mid-session.
- First-timers may bark at bubbles. Pop one on your hand and let them sniff to normalize.
- Losing interest fast? Try bacon-scented pet bubbles or blow into a slight breeze so they float longer.
- If bubbles sting the eyes, switch brands — quality dog-safe bubbles shouldn't cause squinting.
Why it works
Bubble tracking recruits the same visual-pursuit circuitry Horowitz describes when explaining why moving objects command a dog's attention so completely.
References
- [5] Horowitz, A. (2016). Being a Dog: Following the Dog into a World of Smell. Scribner.
Which cognitive muscle is your dog's strongest?
Run the same science-based tasks from Duke in your living room and get your dog's full cognitive profile.