Activities with your dog don’t have to end with just walks and Frisbee tosses. If your love for board games is equally as strong as your love for canines, you’ll be happy to know that you can easily combine the two by picking up a great dog board game. With Halloween just around the corner, one of these games can be fantastic for a Halloween party filled with pets.
How about getting your friends together and throwing a Pupper Party with a dog board game at the center of it? You’ll be known as the original dog-friendly host after introducing these less talked about, fun, challenging, dog board game options to other pet lovers. Some of them are just for humans, while others include fun tasks and tricks for your pet to perform for your guests. Either way, you can try them all and get the most out of your furry companion.
1. Dog-Opoly Dog Board Game
Price: $20.60
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If you’re an avid Monopoly fan and a dog lover, you absolutely must add this dog board game to your collection. Dog-Opoly is a canine spin-off of everyone’s favorite family game, but instead of collecting real estate, you’re collecting dogs.
From Great Danes to Chihuahuas, both kids and adults can read up on each breed as they collect their cards. Your playing piece options are all canine-related from a fire hydrant, to a T-bone steak. Instead of jail, your dog goes to the “bad dog” center when they pull a losing card.
Remember, this dog board game is for humans and human children that are 8 years old and up. The playing tokens are very small, so make sure that your pooch and young children don’t eat them up as they are serious choking hazards.
2. Trixie Chess Interactive Dog Toy
Price: $16.84
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If you'd rather skip the Dog-Opoly and pick Monopoly instead, then pick something for your pup to play separately. Trixie Chess is a fun and challenging actual dog board game designed just for your Fido so that he or she feels like part of the game party night.
All you have to do is hide a few treats in the multiple cubbyholes available. Then, place the chess pieces on top. Your dog must remove the pieces by pulling directly upward, they can’t just knock it over and gobble up their snacks. Since the playing parts are light and soft, even the smallest dogs are able to participate in all the fun.
If you’ve got a senior pup, dog board games like these are crucial for keeping the mind sharp and Trixie Chess is one of the best interactive dog toys out there. Studies show that pets that have a mental challenge to look forward to every day are less likely to experience deteriorating memory and cognitive dysfunctions as they age if you provide them with an interactive dog board game to stimulate their brain.
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3. Name That Puppy – A Dog Game for Kids That Love Animals
Price: $12.99
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Name That Puppy is an adorable and simple game that is perfect for young children and dog lovers. The game revolves around identifying different breeds of dogs and choosing names for them.
The pictures of dogs are cute and charming, making it a visually appealing game for all ages. The game is easy to learn, and the instructions are straightforward. It is an enjoyable game that can be played by multiple players, making it an excellent choice for family game nights or a fun activity with friends.
The only downside to Name That Puppy is that it may become repetitive since there are only a limited number of dog breeds in the game.
4. Soggy Doggy Dog Board Game
Price: $13.89
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At some point your children will be old enough to bathe, feed, walk and care for the family dog on their own. However, there’s nothing wrong with getting acquainted with the regular responsibilities that come with owning a pet. The Soggy Doggy dog board game is a fun way to prepare them for the messy task of giving their dog a bath.
Each time you land on a “faucet” space, you twist the small plastic faucet on the tub to give your Soggy Dog a quick rinse. Each time you rinse him off, the tension on your Soggy Dog builds up, until he finally has to shake himself out. Once he does, the player ends up wet, and they have to start from the beginning.
It's one of the most popular board games for dogs and people out there, and we've previously ranked it as the best dog game for kids and families. Be careful though – play this dog board game outside or on a tile floor that can be easily cleaned up. Avoid surfaces like carpet and wood since they may absorb moisture.
5. SmartGames: Walk the Dog
Price: $32.69
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Last but not least is this challenging yet fun puzzle board game from SmartGames.
Walk the Dog features a game board and adorable puzzle pieces like 3 people with dogs on a leash, 1 sitting dog, 2 cats, 1 tree, and a booklet with 80 different challenges and solutions.
In this board game, the player has to make sure that the dogs won't get in trouble with other dogs and cats while “walking in the park.”
Your logic and deduction skills will be required to solve all 80 challenges–from easy to expert.
Walk the Dog is a perfect puzzle game for dog lovers aged 7 years old and above.
Have Fun, but Be Careful
While you’re having fun playing a dog board game with your kids and your pooch, remember that some of the pieces for these games are very small. Keep an eye on your pets and especially young children – make sure they aren’t swallowing or chewing on the parts.
The last one mentioned above Walk the Dogs dog board game in particular has several tiny figurines, even though it’s meant for children 3 and up. Keep an eye on these things while playing.
You should also keep in mind that these dog board games, while great interactive activity to mentally stimulate your dog, aren’t meant to be a substitute for physical activity and other outdoor playtimes with your pup. Board games are fun, but your canine still needs plenty of time outdoors not only for bathroom breaks, sniffing, and exploring their world but to stretch the muscles, burn off the energy and calories.
READ NEXT: 7 Best Games to Play With Dogs
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