8. Being predictable with games

For many dogs, outdoor playtime is synonymous with chasing a ball, but they enjoy other games as well. One favorite is tug-of-war. “Dogs love tug-of-war, and it doesn’t foster aggression, especially if you alternate who wins,” says Meaghan Ropski, DVM, a veterinarian and clinical behavior resident at the Animal Behavior Wellness Center in Fairfax, Virginia. Tug-of-war also teaches an essential skill: impulse control. “If teeth or nails touch your skin, the game ends,” Dr. Ropski explains. “Dogs quickly learn to play within safe boundaries.”

Melony Phillips, a certified professional dog trainer, plays a training game called Automatic Check-In with her canine students. This game involves rewarding dogs with treats when they look at her without being prompted. “The more your dog looks at you, the more you can guide him,” she notes. To make training even more enticing, try making a batch of these homemade dog treats.