Mud Bay in Lake Oswego gets it. When we stopped by their store, we were excited to see that they are advocating for winter training. Looking through their selection and seeing their in-store chalk drawing also inspired a few other ideas that we should have mentioned in our last post.
Mainly, there are two advantages to Oregon-winter temperatures with dog training. As mentioned before, dogs can handle cooler temperatures better than they can hot summer temperatures, so mid-day training can be increased. Additionally, because winter can bring rain-filled days, owners have extra opportunities to hold indoor training sessions. The comfort of being inside the home during the winter is coupled with the controllable nature of the setting, and this makes it easier to get the training right. In the summer, it’s understandably tempting to simply take the dog for a walk – whether he’s ready for it or not. Winter, on the other hand, lends itself to staying inside and working things such as engagement, impulse control, and rear-end awareness which make summer walks much more enjoyable for everyone.
Passive indoor activities such as chewing are very enjoyable to dogs. However, activities that get dogs thinking are especially great when indoor time is a must. It’s amazing how puzzles that are designed to boost cognitive activity are actually physically exhausting to a dog.
Some puzzle ideas to consider this winter include:
– The classic stuffing a KONG with peanut butter (please avoid brands made with partially hydrogenated oils) and kibble.
– Playing a game of “find it” using boxes left over from Christmas or Costco trips. When using high value treats or toys, most dogs pick up on this game pretty quickly and with little to no training.
– For more engagement with you, consider using the same boxes to shape your dog into various positions. This takes more training, but it is a great way to spend quality time with your pup in a confined space.
– Another game to play that is fun and affordable (especially with small or gentle dogs) requires a bunch of tennis balls, treats, and a muffin tin. Start by placing treats in each muffin tin cup, and place balls on top of them. When the dog figures out how to pick up each ball, they’re rewarded with a treat. Eventually, you can include fewer and fewer treats so that the dog will have to use its nose to locate the treat. Just remember to always set up the dog for success! There must be a treat in the tin for them to find, and if they aren’t getting it, feel free to give them a hand to encourage fun.
– On the pricier side of things, Nina Ottoson (a great brand from Sweden) and other high-end pet toy manufactures are also making some truly innovative puzzles.
Enjoy.