A Turramurra Vet Pet Behaviour Article
Indoor Activities to Keep your Dog Occupied
Indoor Activities to Keep your Dog Occupied
by Katie Bedrossian, Pet Behaviour Consultant
Most dogs love getting out and about for physical and mental exercise and need it daily. However, what do we do when the weather is too hot or extremely wet, preventing our regular walk?
- Hide and Seek: Hide in the house with some treats or a valued toy and call your dog. If your dog follows you everywhere, play this when someone can hold onto your dog. Make a fuss and reward them when they find you. As your dog becomes more skilled at this, reduce the cue to come find you, so it is just a quiet noise.
- Hiding Treats: Treats can be hidden around the house or backyard. for your dog to be released to find. Remember to avoid the kitchen and dining room and areas you do not want them climbing or jumping up onto.
- Hiding treats in boxes: This time, hide treats using various sized boxes. Initially place the boxes on their sides and the treats on the edges. As your dog becomes more skilled, place the treat underneath a box or further into the box to make it more tricky!
- Put their walking gear on and do a walk around the house. Better yet, grab some interesting things to place along your route before you start, such as toys, treats, cloths that have been rubbed on other items/animals/people for scent stimulation.
- Enrichment toys: There are a wide range of these toys from the simple, homemade ones like treats scattered in a muffin tray or old milk bottle with treats inside, to advanced puzzle toys. Ensure your dog is not frustrated with the toy and switch to a simpler puzzle if that happens. Signs of frustration are whining or barking while playing, scratching excessively at the toy, biting the toy or walking away from it while the food is still in there.
Training is also a great form of mental exercise. Turramurra Veterinary Hospital’s range of training classes and private consultations can provide guidance here, regardless of the age of your dog. Contact us today for more information!>
