7 tips for meaningful dog activity at home

 

Not every dog enjoys romping in the rain or snow and hours of walking in bad weather. He still wants to do something. Use the bad weather for home training that is fun and from which both benefit in the long term.

Bad weather is no reason for boredom, because dogs especially hate it. Dogs need meaningful activity that challenges both body and mind. If the weather is so bad that long, exciting walks can only become unpleasant for dog and owner, these 7 tips for exciting entertainment in the house or apartment can help against boredom.

1. show me - help with lost items.

Walk up and down the apartment and drop a glove, your wallet or any other object you hold a lot in sight of the dog. Your dog will immediately use his nose to check what is there. You confirm this with praise and a "sit" signal. Usually a few repetitions are enough and you can introduce the "show me" signal between losing your object and sitting down and touching the muzzle. This will teach your dog in no time to indicate found objects without grabbing and biting them.

2. pick it up - help carrying it

You can train the "Pick it up" signal as a continuation of the "Show me" exercise in point one, or separately. For this purpose, a wooden spoon or walking stick is convenient (if you have a target, use it), with which you first point to a toy of the dog. He will certainly take it, listen to your "Pick it up" and will be confirmed with praise and reward. If the "Pick it up" sits, let him pick up a handkerchief, some piece of clothing or other mouth-friendly item. Then it gets difficult, because the car or house key, a knife or another object made of metal or glass costs overcoming.

3. do it after me - the twin game

Instead of saying "paw", simply extend your arm towards the dog. Because he knows the exercise, he will put his paw in your hand and get praise. Does he get what you want when you extend your other hand? Then he is super smart. Then lie down and wait to see if he does the same. Thick praise. You don't need to speak while doing this, almost all dogs gradually understand that they are supposed to imitate what you are doing. However, until a dog opens a drawer with his snout or turns in a circle just like you, you need a lot of patience and time.

4. bark and hush - exercise for little chatterboxes

A super exercise with which you can stop too much barking later. To do this, first encourage the dog to bark. Stand in front of him with a treat in your hand. Sniff it. Eventually the dog will start barking to get it. Let him scold you two or three times, then put a finger in front of your mouth, whisper "shhhh" and, once he goes silent, dispense the treat. Repeat this a few times, giving the treat each time at the same time the barking stops in response to her "shush." Then put it to the test and try to stop him barking without cause. Reward thickly if it works. This is how dog training is fun!

5 Bravo, great, keep it up - for clicker fans

If you already clicker, you can teach your dog a chain of signals without interrupting the reward. Those who don't click yet can start doing so now. For beginners: One second after each click there is a reward, until the dog waits for the click. Only then follow simple exercises like "sit" - click - reward. As soon as a dog knows and appreciates the clicker, practice sit, down, sit in a row, click each execution, but only give a treat at the end.

6 Relax - Relaxing on command

This exercise is similar to yoga for us. Have the dog lie down and sit next to it. Gently stroke his back and murmur kindly to him. You feel when the dog's muscles give way, see when he blinks, and continue stroking. Continue until the dog is completely relaxed and lying still. You introduce the signal "Relax" only when he already lets the muscles relax at hand contact with you. Attention: Stop the exercise when you feel that the heartbeat increases again and the dog becomes restless.

7. raving is not allowed at all - basic rule

This is not an exercise, but a rule. Inside your own four walls, the dog should not rush off or do super lively exercises. Romping is allowed outside, but not indoors. Home is the den, where quiet togetherness and quiet games strengthen the feeling of togetherness, just like in the real dog family.