I’m finding it strange this week. I’ve been so up and down the past three weeks but this week I feel more on an even keel most of the time. Perhaps it’s because I’m getting used to a new routine at home, or perhaps I’m slightly less worried about my parents who are currently safe and well, I’m not sure. What about you? Have you settled into a new routine?
Your dog will love routine – knowing when you’re taking your one exercise walk, when mealtimes are (you are feeding in fun ways and not in a bowl, aren’t you?), when rest times are and so on. I’ve settled into filming the Coronavirus Canine Challenge each morning soon after breakfast then it’s walk time, then I settle down with the computer to write the day’s email then work on whichever course or book I’m currently writing. After lunch I arrange my telephone and online calls and any other calls I need to do, then relax with a book, craft or TV in the evening.
Of course, being me, I don’t always stick to that routine – I spent yesterday evening working on a course Module – but it does give me some sort of structure, which helps me stay sane. There’s a lot of discussion about how this lockdown is affecting people’s mental health. If you are struggling, please get in touch with a friend, or with me if you want. Just talking to someone else can really help.
Keeping your dog sane and not climbing the walls is something you might worry about too. That’s why we started this challenge – to give you things to work your dog’s brain. And that’s certainly true of today’s challenge – to teach your dog to “play dead”.
I’ll give you the steps here but it will help if you watch the video in the group.
Step 1: Teach your dog to lie on his side. Either ask your dog to “down” then lure him onto his side using food from his nose round over a shoulder. Chose the shoulder on the side his legs are tucked to, you may need to experiment to find which way is easiest for your dog. once on his side, praise and treat.
Step 2: Once your dog can do “lie on your side”, add your cue. I use two, “flat” means fling yourself on your side, but I also use “Bang” with my fingers as a gun – just because it’s funny and a great trick to show family and friends!
Step 3: Then practice asking him to “play dead” or whatever your cue is from the sit and the stand and from walking – there are lots of options here.
Step 4: Add a “leave” cue and place a treat or several in front of your dog’s nose. Bemoan the fact that he is dead “oh no, poor dog’s dead” and use something like “Alive again!” as the release cue for him to eat his treats.
Have fun with this one!
Carol
PS If you’ve already taught a “dead”, how about teaching your dog to stay “dead” while you give heart massage/resuscitate him? Now there’s a challenge!