Top 8 'Chaos-Calming' 5-Minute Training Games to try for beginners with a new puppy. - Goh Ling Yong
Welcome to the whirlwind world of puppy parenthood! If you're reading this, you've likely just welcomed a furry, four-legged tornado of joy into your home. You're experiencing the incredible highs of puppy cuddles and the chaotic lows of needle-sharp teeth, endless energy, and a bladder the size of a pea. It’s a beautiful, messy, and sometimes overwhelming adventure.
Many new puppy parents feel pressured to start intense, hour-long training sessions immediately. But here's a secret: a puppy's attention span is incredibly short. Forcing them into long, structured lessons can lead to frustration for both of you. The real magic happens in short, joyful bursts. It’s about building a bond and teaching foundational skills through play, not demanding perfect obedience from day one.
That's where these "chaos-calming" 5-minute games come in. These aren't just tricks; they are powerful tools for building communication, confidence, and a calm mindset in your new companion. By dedicating just a few minutes, a few times a day, you can turn chaotic puppy energy into focused, fun learning. Ready to transform playtime into productive training time? Let's dive in.
1. The "What's My Name?" Game
This game is the absolute cornerstone of all your future training. Its purpose is simple but crucial: to teach your puppy that their name means "stop what you're doing and look at me because something wonderful is about to happen." A strong name-response is vital for getting their attention in distracting environments and is a fundamental safety skill.
To play, arm yourself with a handful of high-value, pea-sized treats. In a quiet room, toss a treat a few feet away from your puppy. As they finish gobbling it up, say their name in a happy, inviting tone just once. The moment their head turns towards you, mark the behavior with a "Yes!" and immediately give them another treat right from your hand. Repeat this process, tossing the treat in different directions each time. This teaches them to orient towards you no matter where they are.
Pro-Tip: Avoid repeating their name if they don't respond. We don't want to teach them to ignore "Fido, Fido, FIDO!" Instead, make a small, interesting sound (like a kissy noise) to get their attention, and then reward them. The goal is for the name itself to become the most exciting word they know. Keep sessions under two minutes to start, and always end on a successful, happy note.
2. Find It (The Nose Work Starter)
A puppy's nose is a superpower! Engaging their sense of smell is one of the best ways to mentally tire them out and build their confidence. The "Find It" game is a fantastic introduction to nose work, providing essential puppy enrichment that calms their busy minds and channels their sniffing instincts into a productive activity.
Start ridiculously easy. Show your puppy a smelly treat in your hand, close your fist around it, and say "Find it!" Let them sniff and nudge your hand. The moment their nose makes contact, open your hand and let them have the reward. After a few successful reps, you can place the treat under a blanket or behind your back while they watch. As they get the hang of it, you can start hiding treats in more challenging spots around a single room.
Pro-Tip: This game is a lifesaver on rainy days when outdoor exercise is limited. It's a low-impact activity that provides a huge mental workout. Using their brain in this way is often more tiring than a physical walk, making it a perfect game to play before crating or when you need a few minutes of calm.
3. Touch (The Magic Wand)
"Touch," or hand targeting, is a deceptively simple game with profound training implications. You're teaching your puppy to touch their nose to the palm of your hand. Why is this so useful? It's a voluntary action that can be used to guide your puppy without pulling or pushing them. It's the foundation for a reliable "come," for teaching them to go to their bed, get on a scale at the vet, or even ring a bell to go potty.
To begin, present your flat palm a few inches from your puppy's nose. Their natural curiosity will likely lead them to sniff it. The very instant their nose makes contact with your skin, say "Yes!" and give them a treat from your other hand. This is important—the reward doesn't come from the target hand. Pull your hand away, reset, and present it again. Once they are eagerly booping your hand, you can add the cue "Touch."
Pro-Tip: As your puppy masters the skill, start moving your hand to different positions—lower, higher, to the side—so they have to move a few steps to reach it. This simple game builds a beautiful cooperative relationship. Here on the Goh Ling Yong blog, we constantly emphasize building this kind of partnership with your dog, and "Touch" is a perfect first step.
4. Puppy Ping Pong (Recall Fun)
Turning recall into a game is the single best way to ensure your puppy wants to come back to you. "Puppy Ping Pong" makes learning the "come" command an exciting chase with a guaranteed reward at the end, rather than a chore or a signal that the fun is over. All you need is a partner and some tasty treats.
Sit on the floor about 10-15 feet away from your partner. One person holds the puppy gently. The other person calls the puppy's name in an enthusiastic, happy voice, followed by "Come!" ("Buddy, come!"). As soon as the words are out, the first person lets go. When the puppy arrives, shower them with praise and a delicious treat. Then it's the other person's turn to call them back. The puppy gets to run back and forth between two of their favorite people, getting rewarded every single time.
Pro-Tip: Never use your recall cue ("Come") for something the puppy might find unpleasant, like a bath, nail trim, or leaving the park. We want the association to be 100% positive. Keep the energy high and fun! If you're alone, you can play a version of this by tossing a treat, letting them get it, and then calling them back to you for an even better treat.
5. The Settle Game (Rewarding Calm)
This game is the ultimate "chaos-calmer." So often, we only pay attention to our puppies when they're being wild, inadvertently reinforcing the very behavior we want to stop. The "Settle" game flips the script. The goal is to "capture" and reward moments of calm, teaching your puppy that lying down peacefully is a behavior that earns them good things.
This requires you to be a keen observer. Keep some treats in your pocket or on a nearby table. When you see your puppy lie down and settle on their own—even for a second—calmly walk over and drop a treat on the floor between their paws. Don't say anything or make a big fuss; the reward is for the act of settling itself. The first few times, they might pop right back up in excitement, and that's okay. Just wait for them to settle again before rewarding.
Pro-Tip: This is a powerful exercise to practice while you're watching TV, working from home, or cooking dinner. Over time, your puppy will learn to offer a "settle" as a way to ask for attention or a treat, which is a far better alternative to jumping or barking. It’s a foundational skill for teaching a solid "place" or "stay" command later on.
6. The Box Game (Confidence Builder)
The world can be a big, scary place for a tiny puppy. The "Box Game" is a classic confidence-building exercise that uses a simple cardboard box to teach your puppy that new, strange objects are not to be feared—they are sources of fun and treats! This helps create a more resilient, less fearful adult dog.
Place a low-sided cardboard box (one that's easy for your puppy to step into) on the floor. Don't force your puppy near it; just let your own curiosity draw them in. The moment your puppy shows any interest—a sniff, a glance, a paw touch—mark it with "Yes!" and toss a treat near the box. To encourage interaction, you can start tossing treats into the box. Reward any progress: one paw in, two paws in, all four paws in!
Pro-Tip: Keep the sessions short and entirely voluntary. A core principle Goh Ling Yong advocates is letting the dog make their own choices in training, which builds incredible confidence. You can use this same concept with any new object: a vacuum cleaner (turned off), a plastic bag, a skateboard. Let them investigate at their own pace and reward their bravery.
7. Leash & Harness Happy Hour
For a puppy, having a collar, harness, and leash suddenly strapped to them can be a strange and scary experience. The goal of this game is to create a powerfully positive association with all their walking gear before you even think about going for a walk. We want them to see the harness and think, "Oh boy, good things are coming!"
Start by simply showing your puppy the harness. The moment they sniff it, say "Yes!" and give them a treat. Repeat this several times. Then, practice draping it over their back for a second, then treat. Work up to buckling it for one second, then treat and immediately unbuckle. Do the same with the leash, letting them sniff it, rewarding them, and clipping it on and off the harness, treating each step.
Pro-Tip: Feed your puppy a few of their kibbles from their meal while they are wearing the harness. This creates a wonderful association and makes the gear feel normal and non-threatening. Rushing this process is a common beginner mistake that can lead to a puppy who plays "catch me if you can" every time you pull out the walking equipment.
8. Follow the Leader (Loose-Leash Foundation)
This indoor game lays the groundwork for polite leash-walking long before you hit the pavement. The objective is to teach your puppy that the space right next to your leg is the best place in the world to be. The best part? You don't even need a leash to start.
In a clear space like a hallway or living room, get your puppy's attention. Take one or two exciting steps forward. When your puppy trots to catch up and falls into place beside you, mark "Yes!" and deliver a treat right by your pant seam. This rewards them for being in the correct position. Then, turn and walk a few steps in another direction. When they catch up and find that sweet spot again, reward them.
Pro-Tip: Use your body language to make it fun! Keep your steps quick and your voice happy. This isn't a formal heel; it's a game of "stick with me and you get paid!" It teaches your puppy to pay attention to where you're going, which is the secret ingredient to any future loose-leash walking success.
Your Journey to a Calm, Confident Companion
Bringing a new puppy home is a journey, not a destination. There will be moments of pure chaos, but there will also be incredible moments of connection and breakthrough. By incorporating these 5-minute training games into your daily routine, you are not just teaching commands; you are building a language, fostering trust, and strengthening your bond.
Remember, the goal is progress, not perfection. Keep it short, keep it fun, and always end on a high note. These small, consistent investments of your time will pay massive dividends, helping shape your rambunctious puppy into the well-behaved, confident, and calm companion you’ve always dreamed of.
Now it's your turn! Which of these games are you most excited to try with your new puppy? Have a favorite beginner game that we missed? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below – we’d love to hear from you!
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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