The Gift Detective » Party Game http://www.thegiftdetective.com/blog Making Gift Giving Personal Wed, 30 Jun 2010 08:22:02 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Toy Tuesday: Do you Mind? http://www.thegiftdetective.com/blog/archives/3604 http://www.thegiftdetective.com/blog/archives/3604#comments Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:01:54 +0000 The Gift Detective http://www.thegiftdetective.com/blog/?p=3604 No, I’m not being flip with that title…Do You Mind? is the name of a game for people and their dogs!

Photo courtesy of Darf, Inc. - Avalilable for $24.95 - Click to Purchase

Read more to see why this game has been Gift Detective APPROVED!

I first saw the game advertised in a dog magazine and, being the curious sort, I wanted to learn more. Would it be fun or is it just trying to fit into a niche? I knew that Isabelle’s fabulous trainer, Bette Yip, would be the first person I asked about it.

Well, Bette had a game called Funagle, by the same company, ...read more]]> No, I’m not being flip with that title…Do You Mind? is the name of a game for people and their dogs!

Photo courtesy of Darf, Inc. - Click to Purchase

Photo courtesy of Darf, Inc. - Avalilable for $24.95 - Click to Purchase



Read more to see why this game has been Gift Detective APPROVED!

I first saw the game advertised in a dog magazine and, being the curious sort, I wanted to learn more. Would it be fun or is it just trying to fit into a niche? I knew that Isabelle’s fabulous trainer, Bette Yip, would be the first person I asked about it.

Well, Bette had a game called Funagle, by the same company, Darf, Inc., at her training studio, so I was able to take a sneak peak at it during a party she hosted to benefit homeless pets. As Alex and I were looking at it, a boy of about 10 years mentioned that he had Do You Mind? at home and really loved playing it with his own dog. Someone had given the game to him as a gift, no less. Already and endorsement for the product!

I was able to speak to his mom later, who is also a dog trainer, and she spoke highly of the game and made a really interesting point – she said that for him, being able to play Do You Mind? with their dog was a really great way for him to be able to interact with the dog because it wasn’t as if he could walk their dog (I’m guessing it is a big dog for a ten year old to handle).

Well, thanks to Darf, Inc., I was able to try the game for myself and I love it! More importantly my dog, Isabelle, loves it too! Great concept, great execution, compact, portable packaging and FUN! I was going to wait until I took it to the dog park and tested it there (which I still plan on doing, as well as letting a PetSmart trainer I know try it is as well to get her opinion) but after playing it I couldn’t wait to write about it.


Do You Mind? would make an excellent gift for anyone who loves to do things with their dog.


And this is why – here are some details along with my thoughts…

Portability – The game comes in a plastic container, about 6.5″ high and 3.5″ wide.  The top of the container screws on (ensuring all your pieces stay inside if you toss this in your backpack or car!) and doubles as the handle.  I think the portability really increases your recipient’s chances of being able to make the most out of this game, because it would be so easy to bring this to the dog park or a friend’s house to have some fun.

Fun! – The tasks range from super easy (get your dog to sit) to moderately difficult (get your dog to fetch something and drop it through your arms formed into a hoop).  The game isn’t designed to stump you with impossible tasks, rather, it really seems to be designed for people to have fun and help both owner and dog grow – both the relationship and training will improve by playing this game.

Ease of Use/Time Efficient – Roll a die, pick a card and try to get your dog to perform the task on the card.  How easy is that?  If you have one minute you can play this game (the time you are allotted to try to get your dog to do the trick).  Guess what?  You are going to want to play it for longer!  Easy to set- up, no complicated rules…just open it and play!  This ease of use will allow you to easily get people involved and playing this game.

Variety – Not only are there 60 different activity cards to give you and your dog variety, there are also 5 different ways to play this game – Solitaire, Quick Play, Competition, First Dog and Not My Dog.

Good for one or more people and one or more dogs! This versatility reminds me of the game SET, only this one is for people and dogs.  Really versatile with how many people and dogs can play – the score pad has 4 columns for names but this game could easily accommodate more than 4 people/dogs.  Great game for a dog birthday party or any party!

Gift Detective Approved!



This is a game that I will play with Isabelle often. At the park to help her train with distractions, with my boyfriend to have a little fun competition, at the dog park to meet people, their dogs and have fun, inside on a rainy day…I see so many opportunities to enjoy this game.  I love that I have to be creative to try to get her to complete an activity she’s never encountered, while at the same time she has to think and focus – I think this kind of mental exercise is just as important as physical exercise.

Great gift for a friend! With the number of dog birthday parties, play dates and dog parks on the rise – this gift will make you stand out from everyone else and will provide lasting fun for both recipient and dog.

If you have a dog, this would make a great gift for them from you! Sure, dogs love treats and toys, but this toy IS a treat because dogs love interaction and attention and this gift will give them both.

What kinds of games or activities do you love to play with your pet?  Could you see yourself playing this game with a group of people or by yourself?  Let me know by leaving me a comment!

Happy gifting!

]]> http://www.thegiftdetective.com/blog/archives/3604/feed 0 SET – Fun Game! http://www.thegiftdetective.com/blog/archives/940 http://www.thegiftdetective.com/blog/archives/940#comments Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:42:25 +0000 The Gift Detective http://thegiftdetective.com/blog/?p=940 This was one of the presents that I got my boyfriend for his birthday. SET! Available by Clicking Here The game’s simplicity makes it easy to learn – you have to compare four things (color, shape, shading, and number) on each card independently. When you compare the cards, each of the four things either has to be completely the same or completely different. The rules are really that simple but the game gives your brain a workout! You really have to scan the cards and try to quickly ascertain if there is a “set” on the board or not. This game got five stars on Amazon and it is no wonder. I was looking for a game that could be as good for two players or a group of people so that we could play it alone or when we had friends over and I did ...read more]]> This was one of the presents that I got my boyfriend for his birthday.

SET! Available by Clicking Here

The game’s simplicity makes it easy to learn – you have to compare four things (color, shape, shading, and number) on each card independently. When you compare the cards, each of the four things either has to be completely the same or completely different. The rules are really that simple but the game gives your brain a workout! You really have to scan the cards and try to quickly ascertain if there is a “set” on the board or not.


This game got five stars on Amazon and it is no wonder. I was looking for a game that could be as good for two players or a group of people so that we could play it alone or when we had friends over and I did a lot of research before heading to the Games of Berkeley store for some in-person advice. I walked in with my list and the moment I asked about a great party game the young man immediately said “Set!” No hesitation at all. Since I had that on my list and I knew it was highly ranked on Amazon as well I took my chances and got it.


I was not disappointed.


Everybody enjoyed the game and my boyfriend and I have played it several times since the party as well. Once everyone is on the same page, the game moves quickly so you can easily sneak in a game or two here and there and, I might add, what a nice way to connect! It may seem a bit old-fashioned to sit and play a game in the evening but it really is nice, relaxing, fun and isn’t a huge time commitment for set-up nor play. You just shuffle the cards well, lay out twelve of them and start playing. This game can even be played solo or with as many people as you desire – they just have to able to see the cards. Simple, fun and engaging – I see us playing a lot of it in the future!


This game makes a great gift!!! (I speak from experience…) Are you going to a party? Great host/hostess gift! Going to stay with friends? Bring this as a gift and present it at the beginning of your stay and you will not only have given them a wonderful gift but you’ll have fun playing together as well! Birthday? Affordable present that will appeal to a really wide variety of people. This is a great game for children and adults. No reading involved! If the child can differentiate shapes, colors, shading and numbers they can play (recommended for children 6 and over). In fact, I read many reviews in which the children are as good at this as the adults so everyone in the family can participate and enjoy themselves. Want to give your family a present for a holiday or an anytime present? This would be great because it encourages thinking, everyone can play and you’ll be giving them a gift that gives back in the form of creating memories and having time to bond with them.


This is a really affordable ($9) gift so you could even buy several and keep them on hand for the next time you need a last minute gift.


If you live in the Berkeley area and are in need of a game I highly recommend visiting the folks over at Games of Berkeley. They have a huge selection of games, Frisbees, Yo-Yos, kites – pretty much anything worth playing with, they have it! The person who helped me couldn’t have been more helpful – he even recommended some fun card games as well which I thought was really nice because he wasn’t pushing me into a sale but really considering my request of what would be fun for a party. They are conveniently located at 2151 Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley, which is right across from the Berkeley BART station and just one block from the UC campus. If you’re a real game enthusiast, you should visit their website and check out the calendar of events that lists all sorts of gaming activities.


Happy gifting and gaming!

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