Welcome to a new week in our Coronavirus Canine Challenge. The restrictions we’re living under seem more ‘normal’ now as we adjust to this different life. Although I still have the odd difficult day, in general I’m getting more used to being cooped up at home. Yesterday the three of us had an Easter roast beef dinner (I didn’t have any lamb in the freezer), but it felt so odd not to have my parents with us. They’re keeping safe and well but are in strict isolation – talking to them through a window keeps some contact, but I’m longing for the day when I can hug them again.
Luckily, I can still hug Gus. Although I didn’t feel quite so kindly towards him this morning as he’d woken me up last night barking at the wind. Here, the wind usually blows from the south west, but last night’s northerly rattled the house more than usual and set off the outside light sensors – hence the barking.
It’s yet another beautiful day today and the challenge is a game you can play on your exercise walk or in your garden – find that toy.
Here’s how:
– choose a toy your dog loves
– either hide or throw it into long grass or bushes
– encourage your dog to find it
Make the game fairly easy to start with – you want your dog to be successful every time. To make it harder, you can hide the toy without your dog seeing you hide it, or hide or throw several toys, keeping sending your dog back until all are found.
Mix it up with easier games such as fetch or tug. And remember – your dog will get tired very quickly because he’s using his nose, so this game is best played in short sessions.
Dogs of all ages can play find it games – it is a great way to start introducing your new puppy to using his nose, but keep the session very short with puppies.
Lockdown is a great opportunity to iron out those annoying little things in your dog’s training that could be so much better.
Keep training and keep safe,
Carol