Days are getting longer but California is in Shelter In Place mode to prevent COVID-19 from spreading more and risking the lives of people with compromised immune systems. I am taking this order very seriously, and at the same time thinking about how this change in our daily routines will affect our dogs.
I’m sure that our dogs are happy to have their family members at home all the time. They are probably wondering if we’ve lost our social skills and are having a difficult time coping with the outside world, or if we are suffering from a mild to a severe case of Separation Anxiety. All joking aside, being home with our dogs a lot while practicing Social Distancing can change our dogs’ routines negatively.
Here are some ideas to keep your dog mentally and physically stimulated.
Tug
This is a really good game to play if it is played correctly. The dog needs to understand two cues, Drop it and Leave it. Make sure that you and your dog are having fun and using an appropriate tug toy. Letting your dog win will encourage him to want to play more. Keep it fun!
Hide & Seek
This is not only a fun game but also reinforces your dog’s recall. With delicious treats in your hand or treat pouch, stand a few steps away from your dog. Say your dog’s name in your happy voice and only when he is moving towards you, use the cue “Come”. Praise and reward him. Get everyone in the household involved to make it more fun. You can slowly spread out more and hide behind a wall or furniture, then take turns to call your dog to come to you. End the game before your dog is bored with it.
Interactive or Puzzle Toys
If you’ve worked with me, then chances are you’ve heard me talk about how and why to use interactive food toys like the Kong, Buster Cube, Twist n Treat, and a few others. Always make it very easy for your dog to retrieve food or treats from a new toy, otherwise, he will get discouraged and will stop trying. After he has successfully solved the puzzle toy a few times, then gradually make it more difficult.
Treasure Hunt
Put your dog in “Stay” and while he is watching hide a few dog cookies around the house or yard, in plain sight! Always start each game at an easy level to show your dog that it’s a fun game to play. Before releasing him from Stay, walk back to him and give him a treat then say Free Dog! If your dog is unable to stay, then ask a family member to hold his leash.
The Name Game
Stand in a circle with treats in your hand. Take turns to recall your dog, but wait until it’s your turn. Dad gives a treat to Fido then says “Go to Mom”. Mom says, Fido Come! In her happy tone of voice, then she gives him a treat for coming and says “Go to …”
Three Cups
Make the first few rounds super easy. Place three paper or plastic cups upside down in one line in front of your dog. While he is watching, place a treat under one cup, then say Which One? When he noses the right cup, enthusiastically say Yes! And give him a treat. After 5 or 6 rounds, you can start shuffling the cups around before saying Which One?
Scent Work
This is a great game for dogs who suffer from fear or anxiety for various reasons. To start, place 4 boxes on the floor in one straight line. Mark one box as the food box. Place a treat inside the food box, then release your dog by saying “Search”. Let him explore and sniff each box without standing by the food box or hinting. As soon as he finds the treat say Yes! And give him a couple of more treats while he is still by the food box. This is a very brief description of the process. If we have never worked on this together, feel free to contact me.
Backyard Agility
You can get creative and build some basic agility equipment, or you can buy them from pet product websites such as Chewy.com
Give these games a try, and I would love to see pictures or videos of you and your dog playing.
~Maryam
