Its a pandemic puzzle (or maybe a Corona conundrum?).
We humans, at home for the foreseeable future, have lots of entertainment options: Netflix, gaming, hobbies, reading, jigsaw puzzles, exercise, cooking, smart phones. Dogs have toys (which get old pretty fast) and ….us.
Some lucky dogs get a walk or two. This outing gives them a chance to get out, explore, stretch their legs, burn off some energy, digest their meal.
Other dogs, the ones with fenced yards, are sent outside to do their business and exercise themselves.
And then there are the dogs that finish their meals, are taken outside to relieve themselves, and then what? The day stretches out in front of them, empty and boring.
We know what happens next.
Our dogs, craving attention and entertainment, begin to do pesky, annoying things, like...
pawing at us
stealing socks
whining
dropping toys in our laps
standing over us
sitting on us and
doing the soulful pleading disconcerting unending stare-down.
And so we dutifully toss the balls, chase after the stolen socks, pet heads and rub bellies.
This is decidedly NOT relaxing.
There is a better way.
Of course, walking the dog is good for the dog and for us (exercise! weight loss!) but let’s assume that is not an option, or you went for the walk and your dog is STILL bored.
Here are some ideas for things to do with your dog inside the house.
Oh, and be sure to initiate these activities BEFORE your dog starts to pester you. Otherwise, you will be rewarding all that whining, pawing and staring.
DOGGIE DICTIONARY – Remove all of your dog’s toys. Lay out 2-3 different toys, like a tug rope, a ball and a plush toy. Pick one up and toss it away from your dog, saying WHERE’S THE BALL?? Praise when he brings it back to you, then repeat this with the other toys. With lots of repetition, your dog will start to learn the names of each toy.
SOLO CUP CHALLENGE – Hide a treat or toy under one of 3-4 plastic cups while your dog is sitting and watching you. Then say FIND IT! His reward is getting the treat and hoping you will play this game for an hour or two. Keep a cup aside for your own treat (IE cocktail hour).
CANINE ESCALATOR – Have your dog sit at the bottom of a staircase. Throw a favorite toy up to the top of the stairs and say GOING UP! Once he runs up and grabs the toy, call him back down the stairs GOING DOWN! Repeat with the same toy or with other toys. Be sure your staircase has a runner or is carpeted so its not slippery.
DISAPPEAR PLEASE – Put your dog in a sit/stay. Go into another room and hide behind a sofa or a curtain. Then call your dog and tell him to FIND ME! Praise him when he figures out where you are. Better yet, enlist a bored child to play this game with the dog.
CLEAN SWEEP – Give your dog a toy. Hold his toy basket under his mouth and ask him to DROP IT! Praise like crazy and give him a treat when he does. Repeat with his other toys, gradually moving the basket to the floor. Then remind your kids that if the dog can clean up his messes, they can, too.
And there’s always the option of having your dog entertain himself. Every dog should have at least one food-based puzzle toy (also known as food-dispensing toys or interactive toys). These are toys that hold treats or kibble or another type of stuffing that the dog has to work to extract. Examples are the Kong, Tug-a-Jug, Wobbler, Busy Buddy and Canine Genius.
With a little advance preparation, you and your dog can self-isolate together without driving each other crazy.