I need to go shopping after writing this. It’s funny how such everyday things take on so much significance at the moment. I’ve no idea how long it will take because I don’t know whether they’ll be a queue to get in or not. And my shopping method is a bit haphazard to say the least, so how do I retrace my steps to find the things I’ve already passed if there is only one way you can go? I’ll report back tomorrow…
Today for Tell Tails Thursday I’d love to hear your tales about how your dogs have reacted to lockdown. Have you noticed any changes in behaviour? Has your dog been more clingy than usual or more aloof? Has she started misbehaving in some way?
Also, what things are you worried about when our lives change again – I won’t say get back to normal because I don’t think that will be the case, but there will be further changes – so how do you think your dog will react? Are you concerned about leaving your dog alone when you’re with them all the time? Will their behaviour get worse because you won’t be training them as much as you have time to do at present?
Let me know. I’ll be running a webinar next week to talk about some of the things you need to think about in order to prepare your dog for further changes.
I also gave you a bonus training tip today.
How can brushes and mops help with your training?
Well, you can use them to help your dog learn how to move his back legs independently from his front legs. Most dogs forget about their back end – it just follows the front end so they don’t need to think about it much – except that this can create all sorts of mayhem from their clumsiness.
To set out the exercise, use whatever brushes and mops you have, or for smaller dogs, garden canes, and lay them out in a zig zag pattern. It’s worth raising a couple of them at one end by putting a brush on top of another, or by putting a stone underneath a cane.
Then simply walk your dog back and forth across them. He will learn to concentrate about where he puts his feet. I’d suggest a minimum of three handles or canes and a maximum of six. This will be a tiring exercise for your dog, too so don’t do too many repeats each time – little and often is the key, as it is for so much training!
If you want more ideas of things to do with your dog, check out my new book “Help! How to Socialise Your Puppy During Lockdown”, available from Amazon, which apply to older-than-puppy dogs too. It’ll give you ideas for things to do to entertain yourself and your dog during lockdown – with the added benefit of revising some key socialisation factors.
If (when) you do read it, please leave a review on Amazon for me.
Keep training and keep safe,
Carol