Inclement Weather Exercise

If it is raining, snowing or just plain ole too hot or too cold - what do you do to keep your dog busy? If a tired dog is a happy dog - then he still has to have that energy release even when the weather outside is not cooperating. 

Here are a few things that I have found that completely wears my guy out and will send him snoozing in no time. 

Laser play - we have a little laser on a key chain that Opie loves. He will chase that little red dot until he can chase no more. We have the most fun just watching him go after the laser and it doesn't matter if it is up the wall, ceiling, under furniture - he is going to try his best to get to it. 
You can find these in the cat aisle at Petco and Petsmart and I am sure just about any store like Walmart or Target carries them. Cheap and fun!

Remote Control Toy - we bought a remote control toy at the Dollar General for $10! What a bargain! Opie just goes nuts. Of course a little barking comes with the play so if you don't mind that - it is a great tool to wear their little bodies out on an indoor kind of day. You can get all kinds. Robots, cars, trucks, etc. The one we bought turns flips and adjusts itself if it runs into furniture, so that helps.

Treadmill - now this is the biggy. We lucked out and bought a really nice used one for $100. If you don't have one - you can scan Craigslist - they are on there all the time. We have yet to master this one, tho. It is still in the works. We will get there, tho.

So - there you have 3 ideas to keep your dog busy enough to spend a little energy when a walk or the park is not an option. It won't cost you but a few dollars and it takes very little energy on your part. I mean - sitting in the recliner while he does all the work chasing these toys around - come on. Can't get much easier than that!

Like they say - A tired dog is a happy dog!

BarkBox

BARKBOX is one of the neatest things you can get for you dog. We have been getting these monthly boxes for about 6 months now. Opie LOVES them. We look forward to seeing what is inside each month. There are always at least 4 products inside and sometimes more! I have yet to receive a box with items less than $35 if you were buying them in the store. Toys, bones, all-natural treats - hygiene products - you never know what you will get. Such a fun surprise!

Here is how it works:
*You choose your dog size - we get large.  They have goodies for every size - XS, S, Med, Large
*You choose your plan - there is 1, 2, 6 or 12 month plans available. We chose 12 months. You can cancel anytime and there is free shipping.
*The boxes are shipped the 15th of each month. We generally have ours by the 17th.

That's it! Plus a portion of profits go to help other dogs in need. Shelters, Rescues, sanctuaries, military dog organizations, training programs - they are a truly a  giving program.

You can even give a subscription as a gift!


Check it out - you will be glad you did - and so will your canine friend!

Just click on BARKBOX and get started!

I have not received compensation from Barkbox or affiliated with Barkbox in any way. I order and pay for my subscription myself.

Exercising the (Dog) Brain

We all know that it is important for a dog to get exercise. Every.Single.Day.
Did you know it is just as important for them to get brain exercise?  Challenging the brain is very important. If your dog is destructive, chances are they are bored both physically and mentally. 
There are a lot of ways to stimulate the brain but I am going to tell you about one that I just found out about myself and it is GREAT! There are quite a few articles online so I can't take credit for this. 

Here is what you do:

You make a mixture of moist treats - what works best are treats that they are not used to or they don't get on a daily basis. Don't make this while they are in the room with you. You want them to completely be unaware of what you are doing. The mixture I put together was packaged (cooked) salmon and a small handful of Bil Jac treats that were given to me as a sample, so he had not tasted them yet.  

You will need to make sure you use an area that is nice and clean - grassy - not a lot of weeds or debris. You take the mixture and you spread it out over a large area. Not close together and not a lot in one spot. What you want to do is stimulate the brain by having the dog follow his nose. Dogs are sniffers by nature and most domesticated house dogs don't have the chance to use their noses like their ancestors did. Once you are done with the spreading of the mixture - get your dog and take them to the area but don't take them too close to where the mixture is. Let them get a hint of the scent and go to work on their own. Trust me, it won't take long! 

The first time I did this with Opie - he looked like a bloodhound! His whole body was pulling in the scent as hard as he could. He was running in circles and trying to figure out which way to go next. So not only was he working his brain/nose but he was getting physical exercise as well. 

Needless to say, he always wants a nap after he is done "working" his way around the backyard finding all the little tidbits he can. 


It is a great exercise - easy to do - and you can be as creative as you want to be.