Game #3 · Behavioral & Enrichment
The "Ready, Steady, Go"
Teaches high-energy dogs how to control their excitement.
- What you need:
- Your dog's favorite toy.
How to play
- Tell your dog to "sit" or "wait."
- Hold the toy out or gently roll it away while they stay.
- If they break the stay, calmly pick up the toy and reset.
- Say your release word ("Go!") and let them grab the toy.
Coach's notes
- Start with 1-second waits; add a second per successful rep.
- A broken stay is information, not misbehavior — silently reset.
- Vary the release word position (start, middle, end of a sentence) so it's a cue, not a routine.
- Two-minute reps beat a 10-minute drill.
If your dog loses interest
Quick fixes when engagement drops mid-session.
- If your dog breaks the stay, shorten the pause to 1–2 seconds and reward calm waiting before you release.
- No sprint on 'GO'? Toss a favorite toy in the direction you want them to run for the first few reps.
- Big dogs may need a hallway or yard — cramped spaces flatten the excitement.
Why it works
Rooney and Bradshaw's play-behavior work shows structured impulse-control games build the same self-regulation that predicts owner-rated 'good manners.'
References
- [7] Rooney, N. J., & Bradshaw, J. W. S. (2002). An experimental study of the effects of play upon the dog-human relationship. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 75, 161–176.
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.