Hi, My name’s Nanci and I’m a dog walker and pet sitter here at Brown’s. I started this business early in 2022 with the goal of providing great care to the pets in my community and lending a helping hand to any pet parent who may need it. As such, I thought it would be a good idea to write about all things pets as well as share my experiences and knowledge of the industry. I hope that this way, you can get to know me and my values as a pet care provider as well as maybe find some handy ideas and tips on every day with your furry friend.
Now moving on to today’s topic of conversation; stimulation for your dogs. I try to play with my dogs as much as I can on a daily basis and find that sometimes you have to get creative in order to make your dogs engagement work for you as well as them. The simplest methods however, are often the easiest to get your dogs tail wagging and their brains working so here are a few worth mentioning and if you can fit most or all of these into your dogs daily routine, you will find that your pooch is pawfectly stimulated!
Food puzzles are increasingly popular for our furry friends as they encourage them to think and work to reward themselves when they do that excellent job of solving the puzzle and releasing the lovely scrumptious treats inside! Toys like bobbing treat feeders, snuffle mats and treat balls are all great and can be incorporated into your dogs normal feeding routines to make meal times just that bit more exciting. Bobbing treat feeders work by loading them full of kibble and allowing your dog to manoeuvre it around using its nose and paws to shake out kibble piece by piece. You can increase or decrease the difficulty on these things and also make them yourself if you’re feeling particularly thrifty! (Wait for my how to make dog toys and treats post for info). Snuffle mats are great for avid sniffers, simply hide food in amongst the tufts of fabric and watch your pooch sniff them out one by one. Treat balls work for those dogs who like to give kisses! just smear some dog friendly peanut butter or any wet food and let them lick the tasty food out. On a summers day you may want to freeze the food once it’s inside the ball, for a nice cooling snack!
Smelly treats hidden around the house, garden or local park can mean heaps of stimulation for your dog. This hide and seek game engages your dogs nose and makes them work to find their yummy rewards. Best tip for this game is the smellier the better! I usually find that fish works the most but whatever your pup’s favourite tastes and smells are will do great for this fun activity. Not sure what your pooch’s preferences are? Why not try a “tasting menu” game. This involves offering a selection of treats to your dog and seeing which one they go for the most! You can set three different types of treat in front of them (for example, fish, dog friendly peanut butter or chicken), allow them to approach and pick their choice and then repeat two more times to confirm which is their favourite. Another top tip is remember where you’ve hidden your treats. If your pooch doesn’t find them, you can help them out by showing them where you put them and saving yourself the question you’ll ask a couple days later… “What’s that smell?”
Fetch really is a staple in almost any dogs daily life, and although it may seem tedious after a while, you rarely see a dog get fed up of fetching a ball or frisbee to you… in fact, I’ve heard of many an occasion where pooch parents got bored of fetch before their pups did! For an added challenge, why not throw your ball or frisbee into an area of tall grass or ferns or maybe even invest in a thrower for added distance! Another tip would be throwing behind you instead of in front of you, this means your dog is travelling double the distance that you are and getting a good bit of exercise in while you walk along your usual route.
Training! It may sound obvious but some basic training with your dog not only engages and stimulates them but also helps to build a stronger bond between you and your pet. Try setting aside 15 mins a day for you and your pooch to practice basic commands such as sit, stay and come and reward with either treats or toys. If your pet is pro at the basics, why not level up to more intermediate skills like opening a door, “speak” or salute.
The best thing about all of these games are their versatility! You can play them inside the house, in the garden, out on a walk or even with their furry friends on a fun play date and you can tailor each to make the experience for your dog more engaging and enjoyable.
By stimulating and engaging with your dog, you’re giving them the means that they need to be a happy, comfortable and confident canine.
So thank you for reading my very first post and I hope to be in touch again soon. If you have any thoughts, ideas or questions that you’d like to share, please feel free to comment below or get in touch with me directly. I’d like to create an open line of communication here at Brown’s so that we can share and learn together as a community, making us informed and happy pet parents with even happier pets!
Big Woofs & Waggy Tails.
Nanci.
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