Mental and physical exercise is the key to keeping your dog happy and healthy. Offer a variety of daily activities, and your pet will be content to spend the rest of the day as your calm and loyal companion.
1. Easy Tricks
It’s not true that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Young or old, your dog craves that praise and attention that happens during training. Not only do these sessions enhance your bond, but your dog will learn skills that will impress your friends and family.
Once your dog has mastered sit, stay, and come, you can move on to fun tricks that your pooch will love to show off. Teach him to lay down and roll over for a belly rub, high five for some praise, or bark on command instead of howling at the mailman.
The key to teaching tricks is to be consistent with your reward system. If you’re giving out the treats, keep them coming until your dog gets the idea. Clicker training is another popular method that utilizes positive reinforcement without the extra calories.
2. Hide-and-Seek
Hide-and-seek is a favorite game that will exercise your dog’s brain and body and bring back your own childhood memories. There are a couple of variations that you can try with your pet. Spoiler alert: Your dog will love both!
Utilize those basic commands that your dog has been practicing and tell him to sit. Hide in an out-of-sight location in another room and shout for him to come when you’re ready for him to find you. Reward with tons of praise and enthusiastic belly rubs.
Alternatively, tell your pooch to sit and wait as you hide his favorite toy. Tell him to get it and let him sniff it out. Start somewhere obvious, like behind the couch, until he gets the hang of it. When you’re ready for round two, ask him to bring it to you and hide it again.
3. Daily Walks
There is no better way to start the day than taking your dog for a walk. Instilling this simple routine gives your dog a purpose as soon as he wakes up in the morning. Your dog will anticipate that he will be patrolling the sidewalks and put all that training to the test when he encounters people and other pets on your daily route. Be sure to give a treat when you get home as thanks for being such a good walking buddy.
If your dog tends to pack on the pounds, daily walks and a healthy diet will help shed that unwanted weight. Overweight dogs don’t live as long as lean dogs, and obesity can wreak havoc on the heart and joints. The same goes for humans, so grab the leash and a stash of poop bags and get in those steps.
4. Fetch!
If you don’t have time for a walk, a simple game of fetch is an easy way to wear out your dog and strengthen the bond you have with your pup. Throw a tennis ball in the yard and reward him with a treat when he brings it back to you until he understands the concept. Teach him the “drop it” command to leave it at your feet for another throw. The further you can throw, the more your dog will have to run. The more he runs, the more tired he’ll be later. Spaniels, terriers, and retrieving dogs love this game!
5. Going to the Dog Park
When you’re already exhausted from a busy day, but your dog is running zoomies around the living room, take him to a dog park to get out that extra energy. A good dog park gives your pet the opportunity to stretch his legs without being on a leash and strengthens social skills. You might even make some friends with other dog owners in your area. Win-win! Just remember to brush up on some safety tips before going to the dog park.
6. Playing with Toys (Lots of Toys)
Head over to any pet store, and you’ll find plenty of toys to choose from that will keep your dog entertained. The key is learning what kind of toy your dog prefers. Some dogs love an excellent tug-of-war rope toy. Others will shred that thing to bits in seconds. You might have a pet that is happy chomping away on a bone when they are feeling restless.
For additional mental stimulation, puzzle toys that dispense treats or a KONG coated in peanut butter will positively reinforce your pet to focus on their toy instead of the corner of your couch cushion.
Finding your dog’s preferred type of toy can get pricey, but it beats paying for new shoes and furniture. Whichever way you choose to spend time with your dog, they’ll be grateful for some fun new activities.
