Adolescent dogs are bursting with energy, which is why they’re sometimes restless or grumpy. Here are some fun games to keep your pup occupied in spite of growing pains. 

Play the muffin tin game 

Fill a few cups of a muffin tin with a small treat. Cover each treat with a ball to obscure them from view. Your pup will have to use her nose to uncover the hidden treasures in the tin. This game is fun for everyone, but only use a few treats at a time so your dog doesn’t fill up on snacks. Check the label on the package for serving recommendations. 

Play Hide-and-Seek 

Put your pup’s sleuthing skills to the test with this fun game. Have her sit out of view while you hide treats around the room. Make sure the treats are at her eye level and not in places where she could cause damage while searching for them. Give her a command like “find,” which signals her to come into the room and begin the hunt. 

Work on agility 

A good way to get out your dog’s excess energy is to run him through agility courses. You can have him practice running with you in funky patterns or see if he will follow you over small obstacles. 

Teach a new trick 

Learning new things helps stimulate the mind, so why not teach your not-so-old dog a new trick? Working a little bit every day will keep your dog’s mind engaged, and the quality time you’ll spend together can help strengthen your bond. 

Play the cup game 

This game will help work out your dog’s brain. You’ll need three cups that aren’t see-through, and a small treat. Have your dog watch while you put the treat under one of the cups. While he watches, move the cups around and see if he can tell which one hides the treat.