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The Westminster Dog Show is ramping up this week and if you have plans to stay inside and watch it with your dog, you might want to have a plan to keep your dogs active. Whether you have a mutt or a show dog, here are some fun things you can do to keep your dog active all week.
1. Smart Toys: Your dog needs to exercise his brain as well as his body. Consider exploring the world of “smart” toys. These are dog-centric puzzles that your dog must solve in order to enjoy. There are plush puzzles, smart feeders, and even treat dispensers with cameras that operate remotely.
2. Design a Maze: Whether you use pillows from the sofa or shovel snow to make a network of trails, mazes are a fun way to interact with your dogs.
3. Treadmill: Make sure your dog stays active physically as well as mentally. Treadmills are a great way to do this, but it takes time and training, as well as specialized treadmills, to use properly. If you’re unable to commit to the training time, consider hiring a service that brings the exercise to you.
RunBuddyMobile is one such service. Each mobile unit is fitted with state-of-the-art equipment to accommodate any size and breed. You can cheer your dog along the way or let their friendly professionals do the work for you.
4. Car rides: It’s not technically indoors, but car rides are a great way to stimulate your dog’s senses – even if you just take a short ride. Make sure you have the proper travel safety gear!
5. Hide and seek: Dogs love this game and it’s a great way to teach them a little nose work. To teach this game, place your dog in a sit, then “hide” one of their favorite toys or treats in plain sight, then ask your dog to find it. As they grow accustomed to the game, you can increase the difficulty of the hiding spots.
6. Food puzzles: Puzzle feeders or “smart” feeders are fantastic for pets. These require your dog to figure out a way to access the food. If you have a fast eater, this is a good way to slow them down during mealtime.
7. Training: Teach your dog a new trick! Teaching your dog basic commands like sit, stay, come, fetch or a new hand signal will not only improve your dog’s well-being, it will help you create a stronger bond with your dog.
8. Canine conditioning: Your dog can join the latest online classes for canine conditioning. Not only are these ideal for keeping your dog mentally and physically fit, but it can also help resolve joint conditions or help your pet lose weight. Check out the tools available from FitPAWS or search YouTube for the latest tips.
9. New toys: Exercise their minds as well as their bodies by introducing a new toy. Changing out toys frequently will help prevent your dogs from getting bored and bring a new level of thought to their playtime. Have too many toys? Teach your dog how to clean up their own toys!
10. DOGTV: DOGTV is scientifically developed to provide the right company for dogs when left alone. Through years of research by some of the world’s top pet experts, special content was created to meet specific attributes of a dog’s sense of vision and hearing and support their natural behavior patterns.
No matter what type of activities you choose for your dog, the result will be a happy, confident dog, who’s less likely to develop stress, separation anxiety and other related problems. Sign up for a FREE trial of DOGTV and check out its great technology aimed at your best friend!