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Monday, October 16, 2017

Every dog owner knows that play time is important. It’s a way to exercise and bond with your pup.  Whether your dog is a German Shepherd or a Chihuahua, knowing how to exercise your dog is a great way to maintain peace in your home. A tired dog is a well-behaved dog.

Hunting Breeds
German Shorthair Pointers, Bloodhounds, Brittany Spaniels, and English Setters are known for enjoying hunting small animals and fowl. A breed similar to these active dogs can be a hunter’s best friend. If one of these breeds is your family dog, exercising may be a pain. Fetch usually tires out the dogs, but make sure to use a sturdy toy! I prefer to use the Chuckit brand frisbee (photo below) for  my Border Collie.

 Games such as Hide and Seek can help mentally stimulate your dog during play. Try having different family members hide around the house and call the dog. You can also have them wait while you hide their favorite treats or toys and make them search for them.

Intelligence/Agility Breeds
German Shepherds, Border Collies, Huskies, Poodles, and Dobermans tend to be too smart for their own good. Neglecting their need for mental stimulation can result in a sassy, stubborn, or destructive dog. If your breed is food motivated, puzzles can be a great solution. Treat puzzles can be found at most pet supply stores. Hide the treats in the puzzle and watch your dog’s brain go to work. Setting up small agility courses in the backyard is a great activity for nicer days. Teeter totters, tunnels, and jumping through hula hoops can leave your dog tired, happy, and satisfied.

Chewing dogs
Every young dog loves to chew. Some breeds like Jack Russell Terriers, American Pit Bulls, or Retrievers never grow out of it. Not satisfying this need is dangerous. Not only will your dog become destructive, but it could chew on things that put its health at risk. For example, Retrievers that do not have a chewing outlet are known to chew rocks. This can ruin a Retriever’s teeth and can cause them to accidentally swallow the rock.

Having chews that your dog loves available creates a safer and happier pet. Stay away from rawhide, it is NOT digestible and these breeds are likely to swallow it. Instead, opt for bully sticks, pig ears, cow hooves, or natural bones. For more inclusive play time, a tug rope can help your dog have fun with you, while satisfying the need to move those jaws. (For a cheap alternative, buy some jeans from the thrift store, cut off the denim legs, and tie them each into a knot.)


Safety note: Never allow your dog to chew on the rope. Swallowing fibers can cause digestive issues. Do not tug with a dog that is possessive of the toy or untrained. This increases the risk of a dog bite. 

For tips on indoor playing, check out this video!

Video Credit: 
Roark, A. [Cone of Shame]. (2015, April 1) 5 Tips for Tiring Out Your Dog Indoors. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCeCLUFDZUk

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