Top 6 Ways to Shake the Winter Blah, Blah, Blahs...
Typical doggie's winter to-do list: run out to yard; do business; run back inside house; shiver; get paws wiped. By March that routine becomes as stale as the indoor air. With warm days still weeks away, people and pets can start to get stir crazy. A bored puppy can become a naughty puppy! What to do?
Here are 6 fun ideas to help you and your best friend shake the winter blahs.
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A Real Walk
Go beyond the mad evening dash around the block. Only the rare pup doesn't love a romp in the park and those who don't may be cats incognito! It's truly no fun if you're uncomfortable, so if your dog doesn't have thick, cozy fur, make sure she struts with a warm sweater or jacket (natural fibers are best). Watch out for hard, crusty snow or ice still hanging on out there. Later, use a soothing paw balm for chapped or irritated paws.
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Teach a New Trick
All dogs can learn new tricks. Hows your "sit" or "stay"? How about something a little more challenging like "rollover" or "dance"? Start with a bag of small, irresistible training treats. Charlie Bears, Zukes Salmon Snacks, or bits of natural mild cheese are great motivators. Coax your dog into doing the task you want. For example, lead/coax her with a treat to rollover from a laying position, reward the rollover, and repeat 10 times. Try this every day for 10 minutes and soon you'll be entertaining audiences and bowing to praises of "Oh, she's so clever!"
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Doggie Play Date
You'll never be good at doggie games like four-legged sprints and finding the perfect stick. These are secrets best shared with a doggie pal. Play dates are the best exercise and encourage star-quality social skills for your dog. Canine encounters during walks or at the park will be easier for your pet if she's used to being around other dogs. There are many attributes to consider in the perfect date: age, gender, size, energy level, and disposition. Don't know any appropriate playmates? Look for a play date or a play group by asking around at your local doggie day care or obedience trainer. Try networking at the local dog park or online on a site like meetup.com. Its a great way to find a new friend for your dog and for you.
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Be a Teacher
Is your dog good with kids? Does she like to ham it up? Young children's groups like the Brownies and Cub Scouts meet during the school year and are always looking for activities that are both fun and educational. Offer to give a presentation to a kids group about dogs. How much do dogs eat? Why do they need to go for walks every day? How do you teach them to do tricks (with a demo on her new tricks, see #2)? What's a good toy for a dog? Will they steal mine? Talk to kids about what they can do to help local shelters and pet rescues. This is a great age to cultivate a passion for animals.
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Visit a Pet-less Friend
There are a lot of people who'd love to have a dog, but frequent travel or apartment living doesn't allow for it. Older folks might love to nuzzle your friendly, furry darling. Take your dog for a visit where there are extra cuddles, treats, and attention — the best kind of visit. Grams, gramps, uncle, auntie, little sis, and that neighbor guy are all waiting to catch-up over cocoa.
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Agility Classes
Dogs love to learn. Notice how excited sled dogs get when given the command to mush or the delight of a retriever when she's sent to fetch her quarry? Agility classes give your dog that sense of purpose and a new challenge. You don't have to compete to do agility and practically no supplies are needed at home to practice. Agility classes are also great exercise and reinforce the habit of following directions. Check out local animal organizations like a kennel clubs or rescue groups for recommendations on dog trainers who teach these types of classes.
