Enrichment Games for High-Energy Dogs: Your step-by-step guide to dog training fun!

This book is a wonderful resource for dog owners and trainers alike. It is well written, organized, and easy to follow. Highly recommend!

Overall I really enjoyed this book! I love how thoughtfully the games were laid out in a step-by-step fashion. I also liked that the games build on each other: there are endless variations once you've taught your dog the component skills which means we'll be able to fall back on these again and again. I worked through some of the "Green Grass" games including Run the Bases and Distraction Action with my mini Aussie. I found the instructions easy to follow, resulting in interaction with my dog that was low pressure and joyful. One thing to note about the book is that some of the games are designed to be played in large spaces. For anyone who lives in an apartment or smaller home, or who doesn't have ample outdoor space, it can be challenging to figure out modifications that could be implemented when space is at a premium. Some of the games included responses to errors or mistakes (e.g., if the dog doesn't engage in the target behavior or if the dog engages in a different behavior remove the reward, try again) which though fairly innocuous, may have unintended side effects. In that regard, for games that leaned on that strategy I plan to skip them or see if I can arrange a different approach to achieve the same outcome without this strategy. I very much appreciated the author's recommendation that we should consider that any errors or mishaps are simply information that can help you make changes to the training plan accordingly. Again and again readers were reminded that these enrichment games should be enjoyable - both the teaching and the playing. I found that to be the case and look forward to continuing to explore them with my dog.

If you're a pet parent or dog trainer looking to spice up your dog's life, Enrichment Games for High-Energy Dogs is fantastic. Barb Buchmayer has put together a treasure trove of games and activities that tap into what dogs love most—using their noses, engaging their minds, and moving their bodies. What I appreciate most is how accessible it is. You don't need fancy equipment or a big budget. Barb lays out the games with clear instructions, and the variety means there's something for every dog, from the high-energy border collie to the thoughtful, slow-working senior. The focus on enrichment isn't just about having fun (though there's plenty of that!); it's also about enhancing the dog-human bond and giving our dogs opportunities to explore, problem-solve, and just be dogs. The book weaves in insights into the "why" behind the activities, which is perfect for anyone who wants to dig a little deeper into the science of canine behavior. Enrichment Games is practical, fun, and packed with ideas you and your dog will love. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to make life a little more joyful for their furry companions.

I'm a dog trainer, although I work my dogs this is a great book for providing enrichment through games that are accessible to dogs of all ages and handlers of differing abilities. Enrichment is so important for dogs, but this book helps create a better partnership, which helps all aspects of training. I always recommend this book to my clients.

I like the layout of colorful print and easy to follow techniques for training your dog while both of you are having fun and building a solid relationship of mutual respect and comradery. The photos of author and her dog are meaningful and enhance understanding. Important to me is that the book is flexible enough to lay open so you don't lose your place in the field. I highly recommend this book for dog owners of any age and experience to spend quality time with your dog - even if he isn't high energy.

The games were just basic games everyone has known about for years. Nothing new. It was like she took ideas from other trainers and put it in her book. Not thrilled I made this purchase.

Bought one for gift for 9 year old., one for myself. Well set up book with easy to understand instructions. Going to try these on my Blue Heeler. Nice book