The cure for your dog’s winter blues!
Jennifer Maurer • January 20, 2020
We are in the throws of winter where the temperatures are so frigid that we must bundle up our pooches even for the shortest of walks. It is the perfect time to stay indoors and snuggle up to a warm fire with your best friend. The problem is that your best friend doesn’t understand that there is inclement weather and is begging for a walk or play time outside. This is when the winter blues set in. What is a pet parent to do? Follow these tips on ways to beat those winter blues keeping your dog happy and occupied even on the coldest of days
- Take a Trip – Not an out of town trip but a quick trip to dog friendly retail outlets in your area. We all know that Petsmart and Petco allow dogs but some of your other favorite retailers actually let dogs into their stores too! This means you can get your dog out and about and get in some shopping! My favorite dog friendly retailers include Lowes, Pottery Barn and Nordstrom’s. If those don’t tickle your fancy, check out this comprehensive list of dog friendly retailers.
- Make a Game of It – Dedicate some time for play inside! You can do the basics like fetch and tug or play the “Find It” game. Hide high value treats throughout your home and give your dog the cue to “Find It” in a high and excited voice. Begin by showing them where a few of the treats are hidden. Soon, they will get the gist and have a blast seeking out the yummy treats. This is a great mental challenge on boring, dreary days.
- Training Time – There is always opportunity for more training time with your dog but cold days are perfect for trick training! My favorite go to book for teaching dog tricks is The Big Book of Tricks for the Best Dog Ever by Larry Kay and Chris Perondi. The book has one of the most comprehensive list of tricks and does an outstanding job outlining how to teach them. Not only is this entertaining for you and your dog, but for the future audiences who will be enjoying your pooches amazing performances!
- Day Care Days – I am a big proponent of doggie play time at day cares as long as the place is responsible at managing the number of dogs and are monitoring them closely. Giving your dog a daycare day on a cold day will allow them to release excess energy and that will even last throughout the following day. My favorite doggie daycares in St. Louis are Wolfgang’s Pet Stop (for smaller and less active dogs) and Kamp K-9 (for larger more active dogs). If there are no daycares in your area, schedule a puppy play date with a friend or family members dog which is great socializing time for both you and them!
- Puzzle Challenges – Dog puzzles are also a great way to keep them entertained and keeps their mind as sharp as a tack! There are options for every level from beginner to more advanced puzzle toys. The internet has a wide-array of options.
These ideas most definitely are a cure for the winter blues keeping your dog warm, healthy and happy! Enjoy!
Many of my clients look at me in astonishment when I say it is OK to feed your dog human food from your plate! We have always been told that this act creates begging behavior and causes intestinal problems. Under certain circumstances, this is indeed true. However, if done correctly, using foods that are safe for your dog (click on the link to see a list of foods that are unsafe ) and in moderation, it is actually a wonderfully, positive thing! There is a new trend in teaching and relating to dogs called bond-based learning which I incorporate into my dog training programs. The thought process behind this type of teaching is that by having a strong bond with your dog, it will ensure your dog makes positive choices when it comes to good behavior. A technique used in this type of training is food sharing. Food sharing provides an opportunity for social learning with you and your dog. It has been shown that food sharing helps reinforce the bond you have with your dog and allows them to feel safe and secure around you. Sharing food with your dog does not always equate to begging. Begging behavior can happen even when you don’t feed from your plate. Since their sense of smell is more heightened than ours, smelling you cooking and serving dinner can be overwhelming as they salivate over all the deliciousness. Many dogs can’t contain themselves from their desire to join in and beg which becomes a big distraction during meals. I have found that the opposite is true when you are sharing your meal with your dog. Now, I am not saying you should feed your dog when they beg. What I am saying, is that you can feed your dog when they are laying calmly next to you and not begging which in turn teaches your dog not to beg! This is where marker training comes in. Give your dog the “Down Stay” cue and after just a couple of seconds, mark the behavior with your marker word (i.e., good) and treat off your plate. Begin to spread out the length of time that you are marking and treating. If your dog does beg, ignore them until they settle back down for a minute or two and then mark and treat. Your dog will soon learn that being patient and quiet during meal time leads to tasty things! This opens up a whole new world of possibility for you and your dog! Imagine a holiday dinner that includes your favorite, furry family member! And next Spring and Summer, think about all the outdoor dining experiences you can have! Food sharing is a great for socialization and a wonderful bonding experience! If you are interested in learning more about my positive reinforcement and relationship-based training methods, reach out for a free phone consultation. You can learn more at PetImpact.com .
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