Classic Yard Games: The Backyard Birdie
Posted by Kaitlyn Manktelow on 21st August 2017
Kurgo’s
Backyard Birdie is based off the classic lawn toy, Birdie. This toy brings
waves of nostalgia for badminton enthusiasts and provides educational and fun
training for your dog. Made with chew friendly and non-toxic Here are some
games you can play with your pup, using the Backyard Birdie!
Game: Badminton
The classic
yard game can now involve your dog! We advise playing this in a large yard.
How to Play
Take a
sturdy Badminton (or even better, tennis) racket and hit our Birdie toy over
the net to your dog waiting on the other side! For a more fun, challenging way
to play, make sure your dog stays on one side of the net, and catches the
Birdie in the air!
Skills This Game Enhances: Attention and Hunting
Game: Human Run the Bases
This is a
fun game of who is faster. All you need for this game is your pup, a large
space to run and, of course, our Backyard Birdie.
How to Play
Set up four
bases in a traditional diamond shape, as if you are playing a game of Baseball
or Kickball. Both you and your dog should start on home plate together. Throw
the Birdie for your dog as you start rounding the bases. The goal here is to
get to round all the bases before your dog can bring back the toy!
Skills This Game Enhances: This game will improve your pup’s
attention and fitness skills. As a bonus, it will help improve your speed and
health, as well!
Game: The Name Game
This game
will help expand your dog’s vocabulary and prepare him/her for more complex
games or training! For this game, a smaller area will be better. All you need
is your Birdie and another favorite toy - any Kurgo Yard Games toy would work
perfectly!
How to Play
Place the
Birdie and the other toy side by side, and use a simple name for them like
‘Birdie’ or ‘Horseshoe’. Tell your dog to grab a toy by its name, for example:
‘Get Birdie’. Reward your pup when they get the right one. If you and your dog
are up for the challenge, try incorporating fetch into this game. Throw two or
more toys with the Birdie, then tell your dog to “Fetch Birdie”.
Skills This Game Enhances: Communication, Attention and
Reasoning.
Game: Treat Trap
This game
challenges your dog’s mind while encouraging them with treats and their
favorite toys. For this game, you will need treats and the Birdie.
How to Play
Insert a toy
into one of the openings on the Birdie, the treat should barely fit inside,
making it a challenge for your dog to get it. Watch your dog chew, throw and
pull the toy around as they try to get the treat!
Tip: If your dog gives up too easily
at first, only insert the treat halfway into the toy, making it easier for them
to get. Once they start ‘winning’ slowly increase the difficulty. This game can
also be played with
Kurgo’s Wapple Ball.
Skills This Game Enhances: Attention and Reasoning.
With Kurgo’s
Yard games, you can incorporate training with playing. Your dog will be
learning and strengthening skills without realizing they are working at all!
Playing games like these and other Yard Games will help strengthen the bond
between you and your pup.
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