Lori Hall Webboard User Reg: 06-12-2007
Posts: 1039
Loc: So. California coast
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I would like to ask if any of you do things with your dog throughout the day to keep their brain occupied! Kasey, our 2 yr old golden, likes to be engaged with me a lot - he is always paying attention to where I am or what I am doing. I am working towards us doing therapy dog work, so I made sure that we are really bonded and we spend a lot of time together.
I think he gets bored when I am busy doing other things and he seems to like 'jobs' to do instead of just laying there. So I do put him on 'down stays' while I'm working or reading, etc., but do any of you have any other things that you do with your dogs to keep them 'occupied' and give them something to focus on? Hopefully this question makes sense!! Thanks for any ideas.
The food cube is good for Hans. He empties it fairly quickly though and then brings it to us to fill again. Doesn't work very often, but he keeps trying.
If we completely ignore him he resorts to keep away. We have a peanut shaped kong toy. He'll bring it to us, poke us with it, and try to provoke us to try to take it away from him, then darts away as we reach for it. It becomes of game of when we can catch him unawares or when he is close enough that he doesn't have enough time to react. He gets very creative about finding ways to get past us if we have him cornered in a hallway. We get creative about ways to catch him.
Walking down a hallway and all of a sudden you feel this kong toy poking you in the butt. He thinks that is great fun.
Interestingly, when we play tug out in the yard keep away is the farthest thing from his mind. When he wins he immediately brings the tug back to us and lets us grab it so we can start playing again.
Has anyone tried those wooden puzzles that require a dog to push a nob on the puzzle to receive the treat inside? They are about $50.00 but it would be worth it if they are really as good at getting the dogs to think as they say they are.
Has anyone tried one?
I think he gets bored when I am busy doing other things and he seems to like 'jobs' to do instead of just laying there.
If my dog's needs have been met throughout the day I think this type of downtime is good for him. I think he should respect my time and learn to chill out. Am I alone here?
Carol Boche Webboard User Reg: 10-30-2005
Posts: 4531
Loc: South Dakota, USA
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Quote: sheila buckley
Quote: lori hall
I think he gets bored when I am busy doing other things and he seems to like 'jobs' to do instead of just laying there.
If my dog's needs have been met throughout the day I think this type of downtime is good for him. I think he should respect my time and learn to chill out. Am I alone here?
Nope, not at all. I agree, however, if my dog is restless and fidgity out of the crate and will not stay put, it tells me that they were not worked or exercised enough.....Jesea is the hardest one to wear out. I swear she has a really SMALL "I'm tired" window.
Until The Tale of the Lioness is told, the Story will Always Glorfy the Hunter
Lori Hall Webboard User Reg: 06-12-2007
Posts: 1039
Loc: So. California coast
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Kasey is a very mellow dog that easily settles - he is laying at my feet as I type, which is where he is 99% of the time. But because exercise and training is a pretty small percentage of his time, I like to give him things 'to do' sometimes. You can tell he likes to think - i.e. there is not one place left in this whole house you can hide his ball that he can't find it. And he loves those kind of 'games'! I think that is good for them AND gives them a purpose.
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