By now, many of us have been staying home for two months. Even as things are slowly getting back to normal, you may be looking for new ways to keep your pup and yourself busy. After all, a routine of multiple walks per day may be getting old. If you are looking for new ways to entertain Fido, read on for some fun ways to pass the time while being home.
Don’t listen to the naysayers – old dogs can learn new tricks. With lots of time on your hands, now is a great time to teach your dog some additional commands, or brush up on those he may have forgotten. Start with the basics like sit, stay, lay down, or shake. From there you can get creative!
Staying Home Activities
- When teaching new tricks, make sure your environment is free from distractions for your dog.
- Training treats are great motivators for your pup, and while they are learning they should get a reward every time they perform the trick correctly.
- Work on a single trick for 10-15 minutes. This gives your pup enough time to begin associating the word with the trick without going too long so that they lose focus. Always end a training session on a positive note- if Fido is having a hard time learning the new trick have him perform an easier trick before you end the session so he doesn’t get discouraged.
You can exercise your dog’s mind with fun puzzle games as well. Teach your dog “find it” by tossing a small treat 6-10 ft away and let them sniff it out. Be sure to give them lots of praise for a job well done once they find it. Have fun by experimenting with the difficulty of this game by hiding the treat behind or under objects. A similar game is the shell game. Hide a treat under one of three cups. Move them around, and then let your dog figure out which cup is hiding the treat. If Fido wins, he gets the treat!
Most groomers are closed right now, so picking up some good puppy hygiene habits can help keep your dog and your nose happy between appointments.
- Daily brushing for medium- and long-coated dogs isn’t just fun, it can make them healthier by preventing their hair from forming mats.
- Now is also a great time to start brushing Fido’s teeth every day. Not only does this save you money by increasing the time between dental cleanings, but it will also make puppy’s breath smell better. That’s a win-win all around.
- You may wish to stay away from potentially dangerous grooming activities like cutting nails or trimming fur. Unless you are experienced, either of these activities could do more harm than good if you accidentally cut something you shouldn’t.
Fun Idea: Quarantine baking is all the rage, and Fido can be included as well. Making dog treats at home is simple and good practice if your dog has any food allergies. With just a few ingredients you likely already have in your pantry, you can whip up some novel treats that your dog will love. Common ingredients include peanut butter, bacon, pumpkin puree, and eggs. With hundreds of recipes available online, you’ll find your dog’s new favorite treat in no time.
As things open up, you can trust the professionals at Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training to teach your dog everything he needs to know – call us today!
