Puppy play: best games for building skills

This article provides general information only and is not a substitute for personalised veterinary advice. Always speak with your vet about your pet’s individual health needs. Accurate as at 6 November 2026.

If you’ve got a new puppy, you’ll know they have two speeds: full-throttle zoomies and fast asleep. All that playful energy isn’t just adorable; play is an important way your puppy learns about the world. Through play, puppies can practise physical, social, and problem-solving skills as they grow and develop. The best bit? You can turn playtime into a brilliant learning opportunity. Here are some of the best games for building your puppy’s skills, all using fun, kind, reward-based methods that can also help build a positive relationship between you and your puppy.

Table of contents

• Why play matters so much for puppies
• A few ground rules first
• Game 1: The name game
• Game 2: Hide and seek (recall fun)
• Game 3: Find it (nose games)
• Game 4: Gentle tug (with rules)
• Game 5: Puzzle feeders and foraging
• Game 6: Confidence-building exploration
• Keeping play safe and happy

Why play matters so much for puppies

Play is serious business for a puppy. Far from being just a bit of fun, it supports the development of motor skills, social skills and problem-solving abilities, and it can help strengthen the bond between you and your pup. It’s also a natural, enjoyable way to provide exercise and mental stimulation, as well as to introduce gentle training.

In other words, when you play with your puppy, you’re giving them valuable opportunities to learn, develop, and engage with you and their environment. And that’s a pretty lovely way to spend an afternoon.

A few ground rules first

Before the games begin, a few quick principles to keep play positive and productive:

• Keep it reward-based. Reward desired behaviours with treats, praise or a favourite toy, and keep playing positive. Never use punishment.
• Short and sweet. Keep sessions short and give your puppy plenty of opportunities to rest. Watch their behaviour and let them take a break when they need to. Be gentle on growing bodies. Avoid repetitive jumping or very intense exercise that could strain developing joints.
• Use safe toys. Choose durable, appropriately sized toys with no small parts that could be chewed off or swallowed, supervise play, and regularly check toys for signs of damage.
• Watch their body language. Pause or stop play if your puppy appears uncomfortable, overwhelmed, overexcited, or tired.

Game 1: The name game

A simple game to help your puppy learn to respond to their name. Say your puppy’s name in a happy voice, and the moment they look at you, mark it with a cheerful “yes!” and reward them with praise or a treat. Repeat in short bursts. This can help build attention and lays the groundwork for recall, all through play.

Game 2: Hide and seek (recall fun)

Hide and seek can be a fun way to practise recall. With your puppy distracted, pop around a corner or behind a door, then call them excitedly. When they find you, reward them with a treat, praise, and fuss. This can help your puppy build positive associations with you and coming when called. Always keep recall positive, and avoid calling your puppy to you immediately before something they may find unpleasant.

Game 3: Find it (nose games)

Dogs experience the world through their incredible sense of smell, and scent games are wonderfully stimulating, even for little noses. Start simple: let your puppy watch you hide a treat under a cup or just out of sight, then say “find it!” and encourage them to sniff it out. As they get the hang of it, make the hiding spots trickier. This provides opportunities for your puppy to use their nose and engage in problem-solving and can be played indoors on rainy days!

Game 4: Gentle tug (with rules)

Tug can be a great interactive game as long as it’s played with a few gentle rules. Use a tug toy (not hands or clothing) suitable for puppies, keep the tugging gentle to protect your puppy’s growing teeth and body, and build in a “drop it” cue by swapping the toy for a treat. If your puppy starts mouthing you rather than the toy or becomes overexcited, simply pause. Played calmly, the tug allows your puppy to practise the valuable “drop it” skill.

Game 5: Puzzle feeders and foraging

Not all play needs you in the thick of it. Puzzle feeders and foraging games, where your puppy has to work a little to get their food or treats, provide fantastic mental stimulation and tap into natural foraging behaviours. Scatter a few pieces of kibble on a snuffle mat, or use a puppy-safe food puzzle toy. Start with an easy puzzle and gradually increase the difficulty as your puppy learns how to use it, to help prevent frustration. These activities can provide a valuable opportunity for your puppy to use their senses and engage in problem-solving.

Game 6: Confidence-building exploration

During a puppy’s critical socialisation period (around 3 to 14 weeks), positive new experiences can help support their behavioural development and help them grow into confident adult dogs. Turn this into gentle play by letting your puppy safely explore novel (puppy-safe) objects, surfaces with different textures, and introducing them gradually to a variety of everyday sounds. These might include the radio or television, household appliances, traffic outside, people talking, or recording or nature sounds such as rain. Start quietly while watching your puppy’s body language and behaviour.

You could also provide a cardboard box to investigate, a crinkly blanket, or a towel or mat with different texture to walk over. Let your puppy explore at their own pace, reward them for engaging if they choose to, and never force them to approach or interact with something they’re uncomfortable with or not ready for.

Keeping play safe and happy

The magic of puppy play is that it never feels like “work”, for either of you, yet it can provide valuable opportunities for learning and positive interaction. Keep sessions short, positive and reward-based, let your puppy rest plenty, and always put safety and your puppy’s individual needs first. And if you want to take learning a step further, a reward-based puppy school can be a good next step once your vet confirms your puppy is ready, combining safe play with structured socialisation and training during these important early weeks.

And of course, keeping your growing puppy healthy includes regular vet care. Pet insurance can help with some of the unexpected costs. With RSPCA Pet Insurance, you can customise your puppy’s cover to suit your needs and budget, and every policy also contributes to vital RSPCA animal welfare initiatives, including rescue, rehab and rehoming for animals in need.

To learn more, visit the RSPCA Pet Insurance website, or fetch a commitment-free quote online.

Disclaimer

As with any insurance, terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please read the Product Disclosure Statement to make sure this cover suits your needs.

References

[1] RSPCA Australia. What should I do when I bring home a new puppy? Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/what-should-i-do-when-i-bring-home-a-new-puppy/

[2] RSPCA Australia. Why is enrichment important for dogs? Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/dogs/caring-for-my-dog/why-is-enrichment-important-for-dogs

[3] RSPCA Australia. How can I socialise my puppy? Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/dogs/puppies/how-can-i-socialise-my-puppy

[4] RSPCA Australia. What is reward-based dog training and why does the RSPCA support it? Available from: https://kb.rspca.org.au/categories/companion-animals/dogs/training/what-is-reward-based-dog-training-and-why-does-the-rspca-support-it