Looking for new and exciting ways to bond with your dog and showcase their unique talents? The internet is abuzz with fun, viral challenges that are not only entertaining but also offer opportunities for training and strengthening your relationship. From silly snoot boops to tests of incredible self-control, there’s a challenge out there for every dog and owner. Let’s dive into some of the most popular and engaging challenges that will bring smiles and wagging tails.
Challenge 1: The Snoot Challenge
This adorable challenge is perfect for capturing those shareable, cute photos and videos of your dog. It’s a simple yet delightful way to interact with your furry friend.
How to do it: Create a circle with your fingers, similar to an “OK” sign. For smaller and medium-sized dogs, this standard circle works well. For larger breeds, you might need to use fingers from both hands to form a bigger ring. The goal is for your dog to playfully stick their nose into the center of the circle. Capture the moment with photos and videos to share your dog’s charm with friends and family. This fun trick can even contribute towards Novice Trick Dog titles in the Creativity section.
Challenge 2: The Chin Rest Challenge
This heart-melting challenge is sure to win over anyone who sees it. It’s an easy trick to teach and can have a surprisingly calming effect on many dogs.
How to set the challenge: Have your dog approach you and rest their chin gently on your lap, looking up at you with adoration. Alternatively, they can rest their chin on your outstretched hand. This trick is typically quick to teach and provides a solid foundation for learning other commands. Plus, the resulting photos are incredibly endearing. This trick also falls under the Creativity section for Novice Trick Dog titles.
Challenge 3: The Raw Egg Challenge
Prepare for a bit of mess with this one, so it’s best attempted on washable floors or outdoors. The objective is to have your dog hold a raw egg in their mouth without breaking it and then return it to you intact.
How to do it: Present your dog with a raw egg. With training, most dogs can learn to gently hold and return the egg. While some suggest this is only for dogs with “soft mouths,” consistent practice can help any dog master this. Be prepared for a few cracked eggs during the initial training phases – it’s all part of the fun and expected in a challenge! Ensure the egg is washed beforehand. This trick can count towards Advanced Trick Dog titles. Always ensure your dog is ready for this challenge and not allergic to eggs.
Challenge 4: The What the Fluff Challenge
This is purely for amusement, focusing on your dog’s hilarious reactions when you seemingly vanish into thin air.
How to set the challenge: Stand in a doorway holding a large blanket or cloth, roughly your height. Lift it up and down a few times so your dog sees you. Then, as you lower the blanket, quickly hide. Film your dog’s reaction when they realize you’ve disappeared. Their surprise and confusion are often priceless.
Challenge 5: The Dog Outline with Food Challenge
This challenge is both an educational game and a test of your dog’s self-control. It’s particularly beneficial for dogs who are already good at training and following commands.
How to set the challenge: Ask your dog to stay in a stationary position (sit or down). Then, use pieces of dry food or kibble to create an outline around your dog without them eating the food. You can even place kibble on their paws. See how long your dog can resist the temptation. This is another excellent exercise for the Creativity section of Novice Trick Dog titles.
Challenge 6: The Will the Dog Steal the Food Challenge?
This is a more advanced test of self-control, building upon the previous food challenge. It assesses whether your dog can be left unsupervised with food nearby.
How to set the challenge: Place a plate of your dog’s favorite food within their reach, ensuring they are fully aware of its presence. For an added challenge, position your dog in a “sit and stay” directly in front of the plate, then leave the room, instructing them not to eat the food. See if your dog can resist for one minute, or even longer, like five minutes. Recording your dog’s behavior when you’re out of sight can provide valuable insights for future training.
Challenge 7: Indoor Maze
Engage your dog’s problem-solving skills by having them navigate a maze you construct indoors.
How to set the challenge: Use household items like empty boxes, chairs, cushions, and bags to build a maze in a room or corridor. Gradually increase the complexity. Time how quickly your dog can reach the other side. Always prioritize safety when building the maze and ensure your dog enjoys the activity. This is a great boredom buster and provides excellent mental and physical exercise.
Challenge 8: Toilet Paper Wall Challenge
This challenge gained popularity and can be adapted using various substitutes if you’re short on toilet paper. It’s a fun test of agility and trust.
How to set it up: Gradually build a “wall” in a doorway using toilet paper rolls, kitchen rolls, cushions, or small cardboard boxes. Ask your dog to jump over the wall to reach you. See how high you can build the wall before your dog topples it. For safety, avoid building walls higher than twice your dog’s shoulder height, especially on hard surfaces, and refrain from asking puppies to jump. This challenge can even be adapted for other pets.
Challenge 9: Silent Tricks Challenge
Can your dog perform a series of tricks using only hand signals, without any voice commands or food luring? This is a fantastic way to refine your dog’s responsiveness.
How to set the challenge: Practice various tricks and then transition to using only hand signals. The goal is to achieve a high number of silent trick performances. This rigorous training not only enhances your dog’s focus but also contributes to various levels of Trick Dog Titles.
Challenge 10: Find a New Way to Make Your Dog Happy
This final challenge is for you, the owner. It’s an opportunity to explore and discover novel ways to bring joy to your dog.
How to approach it: Experiment with new forms of affection, such as a different style of massage, petting, or belly rubs. Introduce new games, introduce new healthy treats, or even create new toys at home. Exploring different ways to interact can deepen your bond and ensure your dog’s happiness. For more ideas, check out these 30 indoor games and puppy socialization games. Share a photo of your happy dog and continue discovering ways to enhance each other’s lives.
