 Winter Blues...What do you do?
#214612 - 11/04/2008 06:32 AM |
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Hey Guys,
Someone forwarded this to me so I thought I would start the "Winter Blues" thread.....for those of us with cruddy weather during the winter months, what do y'all do to keep your dog(s) happy, healthy as well as mentally and physically tired?
Winter's around the corner, but don't put the freeze on exercise!
Whether it's been drilled into you from the day you brought your dog home or you're hearing it now for the first time, believe in the mantra of dog trainers everywhere:
A tired dog is a good dog.
Like all of us, your dog needs plenty of mental and physical exercise to keep him stimulated, occupied, and out of trouble - no matter what time of year. But while you can hit the gym when cold weather hits, your dog may be missing his long walks before dinner or marathon fetch sessions in the backyard. So if it's too chilly to venture outdoors for long, bring the fun inside:
· Play "post office" (and don't ask us why it's called that). Station your significant other, roommate, or friend at one end of the house and yourself at the other. Call your dog to you, and when he arrives at your feet, reward him with a piece of kibble or small treat. Now have your friend call your dog, reward him for coming, etc. Repeat, repeat, repeat.
· A few rounds of find & tug can be utterly exhausting. If your dog is forty pounds or more, consider the session a workout for you too.
· Practice jazz-up/settle-down and truly get your dog to do those jumps, turns, and mashed potatoes during the jazz-up moments.
And don't forget to keep her mentally stimulated, which can be just as tiring as physical exercise.
· Teach her new commands. She knows 'em all? Train her to put away her toys, bring you your keys, or raise her right paw when you say, "Who loves her Mommy?".
· Feed her meals from Kongs - or other puzzle toys - which force her to think in order to eat
Thought it was a good little blurb out of the article to get started....
I do quite a little building work, Doug just bought one of our old country schools which has 10 classrooms, a kitchen, bathrooms, a gymnasium and several other rooms as well. It is huge and it is going to be great for winter work as it is heated. So I am spending some time dragging all kinds of crap out there to put inside for the dogs to search and play on. 
Until The Tale of the Lioness is told, the Story will Always Glorfy the Hunter |
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Re: Winter Blues...What do you do?
[Re: Carol Boche ]
#214613 - 11/04/2008 06:46 AM |
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Loc: Iowa City, Iowa
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Good post Carol.
Very cool on the old school house for you guys!
So funny you posted this, because I signed on to post my YIPPEEs on our club moving into the building for the winter. Tonight is our first night back. (Huck's first time ever!) It is owned by agility/flyball folks, so there is various equipment for us to use. Creative training and fun stuff. 
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Re: Winter Blues...What do you do?
[Re: Michele McAtee ]
#214620 - 11/04/2008 07:50 AM |
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i have to admit, i don't stop doing stuff outside with the dogs. i always think you enjoy winter more if you get out in it, and my attitude is the same with the dogs.
the only thing i have to be careful is being stopped for long periods outside with luc, b/c he gets cold, but i think i've found appropriate coats for that, so we may try some backpacking/overnights with him. that said, he's fine for day hikes, snowshoeing, running, and walks.
all my guys love the snow! the deeper, the better  i'm looking forward to seeing how neb feels about it....husky and JRT! tee hee hee. especially the deep snow, i'm just waiting for him to disappear (and if i know him, he'll be having a ball).
Teagan!
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Re: Winter Blues...What do you do?
[Re: Jennifer Mullen ]
#214621 - 11/04/2008 07:56 AM |
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I'm with you, Jen! We don't live where we do because we hate snow! I love snowshoeing/ cross country skiing with my pooch by my side. Walks are great in the winter; so peaceful when so many people hole themselves up inside and we have the whole neighborhood/ walking paths to ourselves! I'm kind of looking forward to the snow.....
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Re: Winter Blues...What do you do?
[Re: stephanie biros ]
#214622 - 11/04/2008 08:01 AM |
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I don't hate snow either, and I do work outside as well....should have mentioned that....oooops 
But when we have 30+ mph winds for days in a row....I gotta do something else. Being on the prairie, we have no trees to help cut the wind. When the weather is good, I am out all the time, so the winter is a good time for me and the crew to "brush up" on our building skills as well as stuff like detailing rooms and what not. I am trying to figure out how to get an old junker car or two through the front doors and into the gym area of the school.....I got nasty looks from Doug for that idea.....
Plus, I am curious as to what everyone does with their dogs....
Until The Tale of the Lioness is told, the Story will Always Glorfy the Hunter |
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Re: Winter Blues...What do you do?
[Re: Carol Boche ]
#214623 - 11/04/2008 08:07 AM |
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i have to admit, i'm jealous of your school, winter or not!!!
Teagan!
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Re: Winter Blues...What do you do?
[Re: Jennifer Mullen ]
#214624 - 11/04/2008 08:11 AM |
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i have to admit, i'm jealous of your school, winter or not!!!
Nah...just come play....that is what it is for 
We are going to turn a couple of the classrooms into bunk areas and a couple private rooms. Everything is functional and it has locker rooms with showers.
We are thinking about renting it out to the combiners and the hunters that are here seasonally and then the rest of the time I can use it for dog training workshops and seminars.
Until The Tale of the Lioness is told, the Story will Always Glorfy the Hunter |
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Re: Winter Blues...What do you do?
[Re: Carol Boche ]
#214627 - 11/04/2008 08:22 AM |
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I wish I had a school to play in! Did you get the grounds, too? You could fence it all in and have one heckuva training area.
Ohhh you are so lucky. I have to brave the elements, my house is too small to play with 4 dogs indoors.
My poor (single coated) Catahoula has to wear a coat when it gets much below freezing. He is the one with the most energy, but he needs frequent breaks from the cold. That's what I get for fostering Louisiana swamp dogs! lol!
One day I will buy a nice place in the country with a barn. Then the dogs will be able to run around no matter the weather.
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Re: Winter Blues...What do you do?
[Re: Angela Burrell ]
#214637 - 11/04/2008 08:37 AM |
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I wish I had a school to play in! Did you get the grounds, too?
We got 6 acres with it and the playground equipment too.....It's kinda neat actually.
Until The Tale of the Lioness is told, the Story will Always Glorfy the Hunter |
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Re: Winter Blues...What do you do?
[Re: Carol Boche ]
#214647 - 11/04/2008 09:21 AM |
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Loc: North Florida (Live Oak area)
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i have to admit, i'm jealous of your school, winter or not!!!
Nah...just come play....that is what it is for
We are going to turn a couple of the classrooms into bunk areas and a couple private rooms. Everything is functional and it has locker rooms with showers.
We are thinking about renting it out to the combiners and the hunters that are here seasonally and then the rest of the time I can use it for dog training workshops and seminars.
That is just one of the neatest things I've heard in a long time Carol.
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