How much activity a dog needs in everyday life depends on various factors such as its size, breed, age – and also physical fitness. A rule of thumb says that an “average” four-legged friend needs two hours of exercise a day. In addition to the obligatory walks, which should not only be intended for defecating, but also for more exercise, dogs also need something to do in bad weather. Similar to humans, a mental workload in particular leads to more balance and contentment in pets. Apart from the fact that dogs can learn something new throughout their lives, even in old age. Here you can find out which games, tips and tricks help against boredom in all situations.
1. Strategy game
Dogs have to be tactical in this game: The board game has two cones and recesses with hinged and sliding lids in which treats can be hidden. There are various opening techniques to get to the culinary delights – and that’s exactly what a dog has to find out first. The strategy game Trixie Dog Activity withstands every sniffing attack thanks to non-slip rubber feet and is also suitable for the dishwasher.Here is the game.
2. Snuffle Mat
Dogs have an excellent nose, so their sense of smell is ideally suited for a sniffing carpet: You can hide small snacks or toys in the various compartments, loops and chambers that your four-legged friend has to smell. This activity makes sense especially when you are not at home – then your pet has a lot to do. However, since the nose work is also quite exhausting, the carpet should not be used every day. The carpet is available here.
3. King Wobbler
There’s a good reason dogs are so good at smelling and have predatory teeth: to capture prey. Utilize the animal’s natural instincts and choose a species-appropriate activity that includes both sniffing and chewing. In other words, don’t just put his dry food in his bowl in the future, but let him look for it. For example with a KONG wobbler, which you fill with food – then your dog has to find out for itself how to get its food out of the toy. You can find the wobbler here.
4. Apportierdummy
Instead of sending your dog alone to look for food, you can also actively participate – this ensures a closer bond between human and animal. Use a food bag for this, which you fill with wet or dry food (treats also work, but should only be fed in moderation), throw it away like a stick and get your dog to fetch the bag to playfully stimulate the hunting instinct promote.You can get the bag here.
5. Catch squirrels
If your dog is a bit overweight, it’s not a good idea to keep him busy with more food. As an alternative to the hunting instinct, you can also use the animal’s play instinct to keep it occupied. For this purpose, the squeaking squirrels made of durable plush material are simply hidden in the “tree trunk” – and then have to be fished out by your dog. Keep the game going by hiding new squirrels. You can find the game here.
6. Tug Games
Many dogs love it when you tug at them in a race. Small ropes for chewing, gnawing, pulling, throwing and romping are best suited for this. However, it is important for dog owners to know that this type of play is only suitable for four-legged friends that are neither aggressive nor defending their prey. Your dog must be able to both accept when the game ends and fully appreciate you as the leader of the pack. Here is the set of 10
7. Throwing Games
If your dog loves to fetch, outdoor throwing games are just the thing to keep him busy. It doesn’t matter whether you use a Frisbee or a ball attached to a rope – the only important thing is that the throwing toy is made of natural rubber and is therefore not harmful to your pet’s health. If you’re not a good thrower, just use a special dog ball thrower. You can get the thrower here.
Search games are the best way to keep your dog busy at home: For this you have to lock your pet in another room, for example to hide his favorite toy or some dry food in the apartment – then let your dog look for it. If he doesn’t understand what you want from him at first, you have to give him a little help in his search and encourage him to sniff out his reward. Once he gets the hang of it, he’ll look forward to it wildly every time. Because this exercise requires a good nose, a little skill and patience.
Another way to test your dog’s patience and obedience is with the cup game. For this you need three ordinary cups, which you line up next to each other in front of your dog. Then place a treat (e.g. liver sausage from a tube) under one of the three cups and start changing the order of the cups several times in front of your pet. Then ask your dog to look for the treat – and to touch his nose to the cup where he thinks his reward is. If he does his job well and correctly, he gets the treat.
Or you can use ordinary household items to create a kind of course for your dog. For example, place a couple of water bottles in a row and guide your four-legged friend through the slalom – repeat this exercise until your dog gets the hang of it. Alternatively, you can use a hullaho hoop to get your four-legged friend to jump through it. Learning new tricks is a great activity for dogs because it requires both physical and mental exercise.
Short walks are part of everyday life for most dog owners: they take their four-legged friends for the same walk several times a day so that they can relieve themselves and stretch their legs. This is necessary, but becomes dull in the long run – for people and animals. To add more excitement, fun and play to walking, you can customize your outings together: explore new environments, invent new games, practice new outdoor tricks or try a new dog sport (e.g. agility, canicross or flyball) out. The more variety you integrate into your dog’s everyday life, the more exuberant and busy he is at the end of the day. And that’s exactly what dog owners want: a happy and contented dog.
Challenge your dog, but don’t overwhelm him – he needs at least as much rest as he does activities. Since four-legged friends need far more sleep than humans, you should give your pet a break both in the morning and in the afternoon. This is important for all breeds, even if you have a very active and alert dog (e.g. Australian Shepherd, Jack Russell Terrier or Golden Retriever) that has a hard time calming down. In this case, you should look for a quiet place where your pet can relax undisturbed.
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