Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: Home Activities for Your Dog
• Method 2 of 4: Walking the Dog in the Park
• Method 3 of 4: Playing with Puzzle Toys
• Method 4 of 4: Attending Training Classes
• Tips
• Warnings

You have a very energetic dog who just doesn't know where to put his energy? Do you feel guilty when you leave your dog alone at home and go to work all day? Finding interesting activities for your dog can seem like a daunting task. In fact, there are quite a few entertainment options that will make your dog do a good job of both mind and body. It is not so difficult to find a type of activity for your pet that will take him for long hours: it can be a game, interesting communication or learning commands.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Home Activities for Your Dog

1. 1 Find a friend for your dog. Dogs love to play with each other. Together they will have fun for hours, sniffing at each other, running around the house and tumbling on the couch.
   • Make sure your new pet gets along with the old one. Some animal shelters may allow you to take your pet for a trial period before you finally agree to take it with you. Think of the trial period as checking your pets for compatibility.
   • Make sure your new pet gets all the necessary vaccinations and vaccinations. Unless you neuter or neuter pets, they must both be of the same sex.
   • Instead of a dog, you can have another pet, such as a cat or a miniature pig. Both the cat and the pig can be great companions for a dog, giving it a lasting friendship.However, as with the second dog, it is imperative that your new pets be vaccinated and vaccinated.
2. 2 Turn your dog on the TV. Dogs have excellent eyesight and are interested in moving images. If among the TV channels you have Animal Planet, Nat Geo or a similar channel with a large number of programs about pets and other animals, then your dog will definitely like it.
   • Not all dog breeds have an interest in television. But if your dog loves to watch TV (terriers and Bichon Frize especially like it), then with its help he will get whole hours of fun.
3. 3 Give the dog a toy. There are a wide variety of toys for dogs that can provide them with long hours of entertainment. The exact type of toy that is suitable depends on your dog's preference. If you have not been able to keep your dog occupied with one toy, try offering him another.
   • Dogs can play for hours with toys that can be chewed on. Such a toy will provide the dog with a lot of entertainment, whether it is made in the form of a simple piece of thick rope with knots at the ends or in the form of a sewn textile toy with a squeaker inside.
   • Dog bones made from rawhide are also very interesting for pets. A dog can chew on such a bone all day.
   • Balls and rolling toys are also a great source of entertainment, and dogs can have fun chasing such toys for hours.
4. 4 Play tug of war with your dog. This type of entertainment can be a great way to burn off the accumulated energy of a dog that has been waiting for your return all day. Choose a soft toy made of fleece or rope to play with, something that you can safely hold in your hands and mouth.
   • While you can easily pat the toy the dog is holding with its mouth, it is best to use this game for training purposes. After some time pulling the toy from each other, make the dog release it by bringing its face closer to the dog's muzzle and giving the command "give" or "throw". When the dog obeys the command, give him a treat. Start the game again to reinforce the lesson.
   • You can also teach your dog to take the toy again by giving it the “take” command and holding out the play object. As always, remember to treat your dog when it obeys you. Learning this command will prevent your dog from taking the toy away from you until he hears the word “take”.
   • Repeat the entire process of the game to consolidate the understanding of the team. If your pet is still not tired of playing, immediately start another round of tug-of-war.
   • The tug-of-war game simulates the struggle for dominance. A true leader of the pack (alpha animal) would never play such a game himself with another dog he met in the park. After playing, the dog should give you the toy and wait calmly for you to start a new round of play.
5. 5 Play hide and seek with your dog. Like humans, dogs are very curious and prone to anxiety if they don't see you for a while. You can use this innate feature for a great pet play.
   • Hide in an accessible place, such as behind a closet, under a bed, behind a sofa, or other large piece of furniture.
   • Wait for the dog to find you.
   • You can speed up the search process by holding the treat in your hand. Its smell will serve as a hint and a good reward for your dog's discovery.
   • When the dog finds you, start the game over. Hide in different places so that the dog does not get bored and has to think a little.
6. 6 Play aport. This is classic dog fun. Take a stuffed animal, stick, flying saucer, or tennis ball and throw it as far as possible for the dog to run after it. When the dog picks up the toy and happily returns to your feet with it, throw it again! This game can go on forever.
   • It is better to play aport in a fenced area, for example, in your yard or in a special park for walking dogs.
   • Do not play fetch by the road or on a busy street with a lot of people. Failure to throw or bounce a toy can cause the dog to chase it under a car or at someone's feet.
7. 7 Make your dog chase the laser dot. A simple laser pointer can drive a dog crazy. Take a pointer and shine the laser at the place where the dog can notice the appearance of the luminous point. You may need to get the dog's attention by pointing to the dot yourself and asking admiringly, “Hey! Look, what is this? " When the dog sees a luminous dot, it will start chasing it. As soon as it gets closer to the point, move it to the side about 1–1.5 m to another visible location. The dog can happily play this simple game for hours.
   • Chasing the laser dot awakens the dog's innate predatory instincts. When a dog sees a moving point, it concentrates on it, jumps on it, tries to grab it with its paws and dig it out until it “catches” it.
   • Make sure you have spare batteries for your laser pointer.
   • You can play with your dog with a pointer even when you are lying down, relaxing or watching TV.
   • Laser pointers can be purchased at many electrical stores and online.

Method 2 of 4: Walking the Dog in the Park

1. 1 Take your dog to a dog park. The park will be full of a variety of smells, sights and sounds that a dog does not usually encounter at home. Plants, dogs, other animals and their owners make the park an endless source of wonder and admiration for any dog.
   • If the weather permits and the conditions available in the park, the pet can also swim. However, beware of diseases that the dog can catch through the water, so only allow your pet to swim in clean water and drink exceptionally clean water.
2. 2 Choose the best time to visit the park. It is not very good for dogs when there are too many of them in one place. In dogs with poor socialization, this situation can cause aggression and stress.
   • Most people walk their dogs in the parks in the mornings and evenings, as well as on weekends. Try to avoid this busiest time.
3. 3 Find a suitable spot in the park for your dog. Your activities in the park will depend on the dog's reproductive status, size, and temperament.
   • If your dog is a small breed, do not let him play with or near large dogs; usually in parks for small dogs, a hotel area is allocated.
   • Try not to bring puppies under 12 weeks old to the park. Not only can they be accidentally stepped on, but it is also not a good idea for their not yet strong immune system.
   • If your dog is not spayed or neutered, do not let him play with dogs of the opposite sex.
   • If your dog is poorly socialized, don't let him interact with too many other dogs. Give her a chance to figure out how to deal with dogs one-on-one first before she can join the team. Dogs with pronounced territorial behavior, having incorrectly assessed their strengths, may fight with another dog and be bitten.
4. 4 Watch your dog closely. Some dog parks are generous in size and allow off-leash walking, which means dogs can run around the park as they please. Try to stay close to the dog and not let it run far.
   • Don't look at your phone, book, or chat with a friend all the time. While people can also have a great time at a dog park, you should keep in mind that your dog shouldn't be your first priority when walking.
   • Monitor your dog's movements and mood, and praise the dog for finding something interesting (for example, if he pays attention to a squirrel). Treat your dog the way you would treat your own child and give it the proper attention.
5. 5 Beware of conflict situations. As with humans, not all dogs get along with each other. If you notice an increase in conflict, immediately call your pet to you. If necessary, get in the way of your dog to remind him of your existence.
   • If a conflict arises, call the dog back immediately.
   • Don't confuse play with conflict. If dogs bark at each other, this does not mean conflict. The signs of the game include:
     • barking or gurgling;
     • playful rather than aggressive bites;
     • lateral rather than rectilinear movements;
     • straight hind legs with front legs extended forward;
   • Signs of problems include:
     • direct gaze of animals into each other's eyes;
     • roar (with bared teeth);
     • arched back;
     • tense paws.
6. 6 Don't leave trash behind. Do not leave empty food packages and bags on the grass, benches and tables in the park. Never forget to clean up the excrement behind your dog. Always carry disposable gloves, poop bags or paper towels, and sanitary napkins so that you can clean up after your pet if needed.

Method 3 of 4: Playing with Puzzle Toys

1. 1 Buy a puzzle toy for your dog. Puzzle toys are usually made of non-toxic rubber and have a hollow center. They can be found in pet stores in various sizes and modifications, both for small breed puppies and massive adult German shepherds. To keep their pets entertained, many dog ​​owners stuff these hollow toys with yummy treats. Find the right size and shape for your dog.
   • If the toy is too large for the dog to take in his mouth and shake it, then it is large and does not fit.
2. 2 Find the kind of treat your dog likes for the toy. Each dog has its own favorite treats. Some people like carrots and celery, others like cheese and sausages. Think about what your dog likes best, special dog treats or human food? Find the most coveted treat for your dog and place it inside the puzzle toy.
   • Some people do not use hard food with puzzle toys, but fill the toy with soft food and freeze it. In this case, cottage cheese, meat sauce or canned food are often taken as a treat.
3. 3 Do not immediately challenge your dog to remove food from the toy. When a dog first sees a puzzle toy, it probably won't know what to do with it. You may need to demonstrate to your dog that you are putting a treat inside. Focus on this, wave the treat in front of the dog's nose, tell her: "Look what is here!" Since this is your pet's first encounter with a puzzle toy, use smaller, harder treats to start with so they can be easily removed from the toy.
4. 4 Make it harder for the dog. As your dog becomes more and more professional in extracting treats from the puzzle toy, start filling it with larger and larger treat pieces to make them harder to reach.
   • You can also start hiding the toy itself in a hard-to-reach, but not inaccessible place. Try to tuck it under or behind furniture where the dog can only reach it with his paw. In order for the dog to understand what is required of him, first hide the toy right in front of him. Then encourage her to get the toy while asking, "Where is the toy?" The next time you hide a toy, use the same phrase to let your dog know that there is a treat toy hidden somewhere.

Method 4 of 4: Attending Training Classes

1. 1 Understand what you want to train your dog. Your goals will determine which training courses you need to enroll in. For example, you might want to get the following from your dog:
   • do not bark at guests;
   • do not beg at the table;
   • not exhibit territorial behavior or hot temper;
   • get along better with other pets;
   • do not chew on furniture and shoes.
2. 2 Select the training courses you need. There are two options for training dogs: the first is when you send the dog to the appropriate organization for a while to train it; and the second - when you yourself attend training sessions with the dog. In either case, the dog will undergo the necessary training and acquire good manners. The main difference in training is only that in the first case your dog will live in a training organization, and in the second it will come with you to class during the day.
   • The choice of a specific training option is largely determined by how much the dog's behavior needs to be corrected. If your dog needs a major correction, it is possible that it will be better if it is separated from you for a few days for training. If your dog does not need serious correction, it will probably be better for him to go to the training class with you.
   • If your main motive for enrolling in a dog training course is a few hours of fun activities for your dog, then afternoon training lessons will be the best option for you.
3. 3 Explore all nearby dog ​​training organizations. Ask your veterinarian for advice or consult with other dog owners about taking training courses at specific organizations and ask them to personally assess the quality of the training provided there. You can also read reviews online to get a broader understanding of how people evaluate the quality of appropriate dog activities.
   • Try to find a reputable dog trainer through your local kennel club. You can also try to find an experienced instructor via the Internet by entering the corresponding request in the search engine.
4. 4 Meet with the staff of the selected organization. The instructors and maintenance personnel of the organization must have the appropriate qualifications and extensive experience in working with animals. They should be caring, polite, and attentive to your pet's specific needs. Ask permission to review the resumes and recommendation papers of the staff in each of the organizations that you decide to study in more detail.
   • Dog training is a serious matter. Many instructors are now professionally certified. A good organization will have instructors with formal education and extensive work experience.
5. 5 Be sure to find out all the details of the training. Make sure your chosen organization has strictly approved training programs with detailed training plans that also include walking, feeding and playing time. Ask for a timetable so you can get an idea of ​​what the dog will need to do and for how long.
   • Most organizations will ask you to build a personalized pet training program so you can choose which area of ​​training to focus on.

Tips

• Keep a pack of tissues or rags handy to wipe the dog's saliva off your hands if you are playing with a ball or other pet toy with your dog.

Warnings

• Never shine a laser pointer in the eyes of anyone, especially a dog.
• Some dogs may bite and dig carpeting while chasing a laser pointer. Play with your dog with a laser in a place where it will not harm the environment.