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There are times when long walks with the dog are not possible. Be it bad weather, illness or other events that get in the way of a long walk. However, many dogs, especially active breeds such as Australian Shepherds, Beagles and Golden Retrievers, need to be kept busy. Otherwise, some dogs may even display depressive behavior or simply act up. We have put together some tips and tricks for you that will not only bring fun and variety to your four-legged friend's everyday life, but also to yours.
Playing with your dog in the home and garden
Teach new commands:
Especially in the cold season or in situations where you can't go for walks as much, you can teach your dog new commands or perhaps brush up on old ones. Especially as the years go by, one or two tricks tend to slip, but newly learned commands can give older dogs in particular a mental boost and give them a new zest for life.
Search games for indoors and outdoors:
Another popular type of activity for dogs is search games. You can use them to keep your dog busy indoors. You can simply hide treats in various places around the room and then send your pet on a search. This simple search game is of course also suitable for the garden. Simply scatter lots of treats on the grass, next to the tree or in flower pots and give your four-legged friend the go-ahead. This is where the nose is most active and your dog will be mentally challenged, and it also strengthens your four-legged friend's ability to concentrate. He may even listen better to your commands one time or another.
Retrieving games - tried and tested and effective:
With fetch games, you can not only keep your four-legged friend physically busy, but also encourage him to work his brain and train his obedience. The best way to do this is to use a dummy that can be filled with treats. Throw the dummy and let your dog bring it to you. As soon as the dummy reaches you, reward your dog. This way he associates giving food with something positive. Many dogs also retrieve other toys such as balls, sticks or their favorite cuddly toy. This game is particularly suitable for the garden at home. With care and caution, retrieving can also be practiced indoors. Although the space in the home is limited, the dog can run 2-3 times more often.
Sniffer meadow for at home:
A popular trend among pet owners are so-called sniffer meadows or sniffer carpets. They are very suitable for hiding treats and as a dog game in the house. You can also send your four-legged friend hunting for treats unsupervised. If you don't want to buy a sniffer carpet, you can also make one yourself. The World Wide Web offers lots of instructions for custom-made sniffer rugs. However, if you don't have that much time or are less talented with your hands, you can use a simple towel. Lay out the towel and spread some treats on it. Then fold it over once and spread treats on the towel again, do this until it can no longer be folded - and off you go. A very simple, inexpensive but effective dog game for indoors.
Tug games with strength and skill:
Depending on the size of the dog, these games already cost the dog owner quite a bit of strength and energy. If you are a little weak on your feet, you might prefer to play a search or sniffing game with your 30 kg dog. For everyone else: tug for all you're worth. Because your dog won't give up so quickly. Anything that can break and can be held firmly on both sides is suitable as a tug toy. You can also combine retrieving very well with a tugging game: when your pet brings the dummy back well, you tug on the toy with him a little and then let him "go out". Make sure that you are always in control.
Agility for the garden:
Agility is now one of the dog sports and there are plenty of challenging hurdles for your four-legged friend to overcome. This activity is of course primarily suitable for the garden. There are slalom courses, long jumps, tire jumps and many other obstacles to explore. You can order an agility set online or buy one at one of the larger pet shops in your area. If you don't want to spend that much money, you can look for second-hand goods or build your own individual agility set yourself using do-it-yourself techniques.
Agility for indoors:
If you don't have a garden but would like to do agility with your dog, you can simply use your own body as an obstacle. Slalom through the legs or high jump over the arm are also possible within your own four walls. This activity game for your dog bridges the distance and also strengthens the bond between you and your dog.
Plastic bottle as a food ball:
This game is pure mental work for dogs in the house. You can send your darling on a treat adventure with a simple water bottle. Simply take a standard plastic bottle, cut several holes in the bottle with scissors or a sharp knife and fill it with treats from above. The holes must be large enough for the treats to fall out when rolling. Of course, close the bottle again with the lid. The do-it-yourself food ball is ready. Now place it in front of your pet and roll it briefly. Observe at the beginning whether he only rolls the bottle or also nibbles at it. If he bites the bottle, take it away from him and make it clear that he is only allowed to roll his new toy. The food bottle is of course also suitable as a game for dogs in the garden.
Sniffing box for big and small:
Of course, nothing works without treats here either. But it's quick and easy. Take a larger box so that your dog can still see over the edge of the box. Fill it with various everyday objects such as socks, toilet paper rolls, scarves etc. and scatter the treats in between. Then let your four-legged friend sniff outside the crate.
Conclusion
As you've seen, there are plenty of ways to keep your dog busy indoors or in your own garden. But make sure that your four-legged friends don't get too many treats and put on rolls of flab. It's best to adjust the daily food to the amount of treats. I wish you lots of fun with retrieving, searching and hiding.
