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Six Ways To Keep Your Dog Active Indoors During Lockdown
- 09/04/2020
Without access to long walks or dog day care, pooches can be prone to cabin fever which may lead to behavioural changes.
Here are his top tips to stave off cabin fever while at home with the dog:
Teach them tricks
A great idea for exercising your dog indoors is teaching them new tricks which keep their mind and their body active.
You can practice the basics such as paw, sit and roll, to weaving through legs, picking up toys, fetching slippers and spinning - so you can combine exercise with learning.
Invest in a clicker to aid your training or purchase an activity toy to develop their concentration levels. With this, ensure your dog isn’t too senior and not currently experiencing joint stiffness when carrying out this activity.
Play tug of war
Get in touch with your dog’s instincts by tiring them out with a hefty game of tug of war.
Establish your position as master and keep the mood light. A tug of war is great for tiring out your pooch, but a competitive dog could be prone to getting riled up.
It is important to remain cool and in control, breaking up the tug of war with rests and not rewarding aggressive behaviour.
If you’re stuck indoors then your home can become the perfect obstacle course for your pet - and it’s a lot of fun for you too.
All you have to do is plan out your obstacle course then lead your dog through it. If you’re lucky enough to have space, you can get your dog jumping over chairs and circling around them, looping tables or running under them.
You could also create tunnels with blankets or use pillows to create a slalom. Not only will they love the exercise but the change-up and challenge will also engage them mentally.
You should also make sure that this activity is not done on wooden flooring to prevent your dog slipping.
The obstacles that you have created will need to be easily surmountable, we don’t what any injuries for either of you.
Chase the bubbles
Bubbles aren’t just for humans. Bubbles are an amazing way to get your pet moving, especially the flavoured ones made specifically for dogs.
Although most bubble mixes made for children are non-toxic we’re a fan of Pet Qweks IncrediBubbles. These flavoured ones will have your dog chasing, biting and popping bubbles until they are ready for a snooze.
Even a short session will work wonders for your four-legged friend.
Play hide and treat
Have you ever played hide and seek with your pup? This as one of his favourite ways to keep a dog active indoors.
“One of my favourites is a playoff of the old game hide and seek. We call it hide and treat. Hide some kibble in favourite toys around the house and let your dog slowly go and find them and bring them back for a treat," he says.
Food is the key to all our hearts and you can use your dog’s favourite treats to physically tire them out.
Try hiding treats all over your house in tricky spots to keep your dog busy sniffing them out.
Make food fun
Dog treat puzzle dispensers are a lifesaver, keeping your dog mentally occupied whilst also getting them some movement.
“Try placing a healthy treat inside a puzzle and let your dog work throughout the day to get it out. Mental stimulation is just as important as physical activity when it comes to keeping your pet healthy.”
There is a wide range of puzzle dispensers on the market but the LesFit Interactive Feeder allows you to change difficulty settings depending on the dog or how much exercise you need them to get.
Kongs are a favourite for dog owners. Stuffing a kong is a great way to keep your dog physically and mentally active. Just use your pooches favourite stuffing and then freezing the Kong.
By freezing the Kong you’ll elongate the amount of time it will keep your dog busy for and keep them moving for longer.
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