This game is modified from the classic children’s game.

It is a fun game to play in dog class for every age and all skill levels.

 

 

Items Needed:   None

 

Optional Items:   Prizes

 

How to Play:   Have all the participants line up in one row along the back of the room or outside, leaving at least three feet in between each team. Remind players that their leashes should remain loose at all times and to pay attention to their proximity to the neighboring team. Encourage participants to be proactive in helping their dogs to succeed. Start off easy and repeat any sequences as needed until everyone is successful at that level, offering helpful reminders so that everyone can succeed. Demonstrate and then practice with a few phrases before officially starting to help everyone understand the rules.  

Rules of the Game:   Any sentence that starts with the words “Simon Says” should be followed. Any sentence that does not start with the words “Simon Says” should be ignored. Any participant that follows the cues of a sentence that does not begin with “Simon Says” is out and goes back to their seats or to the sidelines until there is a winner and the next round begins.

 

 

Is everyone ready to play? Okay!

Simon Says everyone spread out just a little more

Simon Says everyone move forward just a bit

Okay, everyone move forward just a little more

Anyone who just moved is out

 

That was just a practice and the game starts now!

 

Simon Says take one giant step forward

Simon Says take two giant steps forward

Simon Says take three giant steps forward

Take four giant steps forward (anyone who does this is out)

 

Simon Says turn around

Simon Says take three steps

Simon Says turn back towards me

Simon Says take three steps

Simon Says turn around and take two steps

Simon Says take two more steps

Turn around back towards me (anyone who does this is out)

 

 

Simon Says have your dog sit

Simon Says have your dog stand

Simon Says have your dog sit

Have your dog stand (anyone who does this is out)

 

 

 

 

Simon Says have your dog sit and stay while you back up three steps

Simon Says have your dog sit and stand

Simon Says have your dog sit and stay while you back up two steps

Simon Says call your dog to you

Simon Says have your dog sit  

Back up two steps

 

 

 

 Suggestions for Success: 

-Gesture with your hands to show where you want your players to go and which way to move, even using the hand signals for the cues as you say them.

-Be very specific with your instructions, for example it is better to say “take two steps forward” than to say “walk forward”. In the second example the players will not be stopping until you give another command. It works best if each command sequence has a beginning and an end.

-Use commands at a level where everyone can be successful.

-In the beginning, if a player moves but does not appear to be trying to follow a “bad” command, they are not out. Some movement can be expected with the dogs and the beginning teams, and this is okay. Simply wait for everyone to be ready before proceeding. As skill levels increase, you may add the rule that the teams remain still unless they are following a command