Category: Activities

Bad weather dog games and toys

9/27/2023

Fall is a beautiful season, and winter weather follows in the not too distant future. Many people do not know what to do to keep their dogs active when conditions are not great to do outdoor activities. Luckily, there are things we can do with our dog when stuck inside.

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What is it that "play training" can add to your partner and canine team (Part 4 of Play Training Series)

6/15/2023

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Our Shana with her "treasure" after a flirt pole training session of send to two places. After this, she fell into a deep sleep.

Why should someone consider adding play training to their dog training routine? I say add, because I am never just play training. For instance, if I am on a busy city street and we have some training to do, I probably am not going to use my flirt pole, frisbee, or ball to start a training session. I may use food as play or just as a standard reward. I may also use to do a subtle form of traditional training or management. So for those reasons, I don't believe you can get away with just play training your dog, although I would not have a problem with it if I could figure out how!

So then the question is, why add play training in?

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How Do You Use Play Training for Impulse Control? What is Impulse Control? (Part 3 of Series)

6/7/2023

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This is Shana demonstrating some impulse control while we play and food train. Sometimes I use just food reward or just toy reward. In this instance, I am using both food and toy. Shana's impulse is to rip the toy apart right before my eyes OR not give it up at all. Impulse control is when the dog is not doing something that they would like to do in the moment. When you are using play, they are controlling their impulse because they want the game to go on, instead of being corrected in more traditional training methods.

Note: Our next blog will go over what play training provides for you that is different than traditional dog training, and why you might want to use it.

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Play Training Mistakes to Avoid With Food or Toys (Part 2 of Play Training Series)

5/29/2023

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Play training focuses on the reward of play for engagement, enthusiasm, and motivation of the tasks, obedience, behavioral change, and relationship being formed. It sounds easy, right? The dog does this, and then we go and do that. The knowledge of the impending reward of continuing the game increases the likely hood of the behavior and/or performance that you want. In theory, it is easy. In practice, you can make mistakes that I would rather others avoid if possible.

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What is your dog's bliss? How can finding their bliss help?

10/13/2020

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Leon loved fetching as a wee young thing. We both learned about this skill together, and had a lot of fun doing it.

What do I mean by your dog's "bliss"?

The activity or item that eventually or immediately drives your dog to do it more or want to engage with you more.
This is something the dog is going to eventually be clear about. You can experiment with to find it and start the process, but ultimately you need to pay attention to whether it is truly motivating your dog OR do you just expect it would motivate your dog.

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Tips for being active with your dog in the warmer months

5/27/2019

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Dog Activity Tip: As summer approaches, take advantage of all the outside fun. Just please don't forget that the increase in heat takes your dogs longer to get used to, especially black dogs or dense haired dogs. Also, be sure to check that the pavement or concrete is not too hot for your dog's pads. Plenty of water should always be available, but especially so during heavy play or other activity in the summer months.

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Tips Before You Begin Biking With Your Dog

5/24/2017

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Biking is not an activity that dog owners "need" to do or "have to" learn. This is something that I do with my dogs for the enjoyment. However, if you don't do this safely, it will be a much less enjoyable activity. This activity needs to be safe for you AND your dog.

So before you even think of biking with your dogs, consider these tips and safety measures:

Dogs should be healthy with mature bodies before doing repetitive exercises Check with your vet if you are not sure that your dog's body is mature yet. You want to stay away from repetitive exercises when the bones and joints are still forming.
Concrete, pavement, and cars can kill you or your dog. (not while biking) I missed a step one day to the mudroom and fell onto our concrete floor. My whole chin was one large lump and bruise, I felt quite fortunate to have hit there instead of my head (where a concussion may have rendered me unconscious and then dead). I was also very grateful to have not shattered my jaw. Now consider this power in a scenario where you may be propelled forward. (see number 4)
Dirt roads and trails contain rocks, which can kill you if you strike the right body part on them. (see number 4)
Wear a helmet on your bike with or without a dog. (See number 2)
You have no business even thinking about biking with your dog, unless you know how to train solidly for basic obedience. Or are training with someone who will teach this solidly. The reason for this being a dog left to his own does not know the danger caused by running UNDER the bikes wheels or lunging at a squirrel.
Prepare, prepare, prepare before mounting your bike with your dog in tow. I usually start with heeling my dog next to a shopping cart at Petco for instance to get them used to it in a fun environment. I heel them next to me walking my bike. I do lots of these things before I mount the bike with my dog, including making sure that they know basic obedience very very well. You will also want an emergency sit, auto sits when you stop the bike.
Always consider the safety of the general public around you. This article link is one example of what could happen.
Flexi leads are very likely to get wrapped up in gears (and there should be no need as your dog should be heeling next to you IMO ). This is why I do this on my strong, sturdy leather lead. Note this is not to keep my dog with me when he pulls, as I do not allow my dogs to pull when in a heel. It's to keep the loose leash from being frail and thin enough to wrap around the gears.
Just in general with biking, I tend to not wear sneakers with any laces that could become untied and wind up in the gears. Some lighter baggier kinds of clothes can get caught in them as well.
Do NOT attach leash to bike or tie it around yourself. Better to hold the leash in an accordion style, in case your dog stops to pee so you can quickly drop the leash, stop, and call your dog to you when he/she is done.
Remember dogs may have to stop and pee or poop, and may not be able to tell you how...other than by stopping suddenly.
Keep in mind that your dog should only go at their comfortable pace.
If you want to multi task and exercise, put the bike on the highest tension level possible, rather than overtaxing your dog with speed.
This is a group/partnership event, you must always be aware and look out for yourself, your dog, and others.

I am sure that I missed a lot more, but these are things to think about before even considering biking with your dog:) One can always bike without a leash with their well trained dog in a safe and known environment. I always have a leash on my dog whenever I am around vehicles that are moving quickly. When I am riding around my house, my dogs don't have leashes on, and are free to decide to follow or not follow. Many times I don't have them in a heel if it's just on my own property. Still, you will want to start out so that your dogs are aware that they shouldn't run into wheels, jump on you, et. I probably could have added a few more for this scenario.

Interested in doing this with your dog? Call or e-mail us, and we will set up a program for you.

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Bad weather dog games and toys

What is it that "play training" can add to your partner and canine team (Part 4 of Play Training Series)

How Do You Use Play Training for Impulse Control? What is Impulse Control? (Part 3 of Series)

Play Training Mistakes to Avoid With Food or Toys (Part 2 of Play Training Series)

What is your dog's bliss? How can finding their bliss help?

Tips for being active with your dog in the warmer months

Tips Before You Begin Biking With Your Dog

Author, Robin Rubin

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