Those of you who follow me on social media will have seen that this weekend I was involved in a minor tumble down a hill at the lake we frequently hike at. Thankfully, due to wearing hiking boots, my ankle is not broken, but I do have a twisted knee, sprained ankle and elbow and an order to rest for a few days. Rest is not really a word that is in my vocabulary. Sure everyone likes to veg out and watch Netflix marathons every once in a while, but I’m typically on the go all the time. Working, Homework, walking the doggo, training the doggo, house projects etc. It’s kind of a coping mechanism if I’m honest but that’s a story for another day. Having a sprained ankle and twisted knee means for at least a week or so I’m probably not going to be able to exercise my dog like I usually do. For a working boxer puppy in the midst of his teenage years, this could be a difficult week; for me! He is used to getting lots of exercise, physical and mental. So, it got me thinking of how I could keep him entertained while I can’t take him on our walks! These ideas would also work for those who live in cold or really hot climates when the weather is not appropriate for walking your dog.
Teach your dog a new trick!
We already have our novice trick dog title and are working on another however, teaching tricks is not just for getting certificates and ribbons. Teaching your canine companion a new trick or command helps to build their confidence, enhance the bond between you and your dog, and provide mental stimulation. Sometimes people complain their dogs are destructive, barking or displaying weird behaviours, this could be because they are lacking in mental stimulation. Sure, physical exercise is necessary, but mental stimulation is too, and some breeds definitely need it more than others. The nice thing about teaching tricks is that the handler (you!) doesn’t always have to move around a lot, which is good for if you’re sick, injured or just not able to be overly physical with your dog. A lot of tricks can be taught with the handler sitting or standing in close proximity to the dog, maybe in a chair, on the floor, or just standing near. Of course, this will also depend on the type of dog you have, their temperament and size. Smaller dogs you can work from the floor or a chair, but giant dogs would likely need you to stand. This will help with luring the dog into positions etc. I’m not a dog trainer (except to my own dog!) so if you need advice contact one you trust. Otherwise, just have fun and enjoy learning new things together.
Practice Recall!
Having a solid recall is so important. It can save your dog from a car, a snake, another dog who may not be friendly, a person who may be fearful of dogs, or many other hairy situations you don’t want your dog to be part of. When I fell down the other day, in between bawling like a child ‘cus I was sure I’d broken my ankle and I have an irrational fear of hospitals, broken bones and surgery, I yelled “Here!” to my dog (his recall word) and he came right back to me, even though he was nearing the end of his long line leash he plays on at the lake. His recall is not 100% as he is still a baby but practicing your dogs recall in a controlled environment can give you the opportunity to improve it. Grab their favourite toy or treat and practice, practice! Remember no matter how frustrated you are, if your dog comes back to you, always be happy to see him, reward him with pets, toys or treats. It can be terrifying if your dog gets away from you or has a near miss in a scary situation but scolding him when he gets back to you will not help the situation either. Just shake it off and secure your dog.
Loose leash walking!
What better time to practice not pulling on a leash than when you’re injured and just can’t keep up! Now I wouldn’t recommend this if your dog is a bucking bronco and never had any leash training. But if for the most part, they’re pretty well-mannered on leash, especially in low distraction environments, you could use this time to practice walking on a leash. You can use a wall in your house to practice keeping your dog close, and we use a toy or treats and go slowly. It’s a little different than our usual, more fast paced walking but either way you’re interacting with, and training with your dog and building your relationship. You could also use this time to teach or practice an Auto-Sit. Some people who show in conformation or compete in obedience or rally for example may not really like this skill, but if you’re dog is a professional pet and you like to take them shopping in pet friendly places, an auto sit is nice because you can stop to browse and look at items while they sit calmly at your side. Don’t forget; if this is a new command to reward / reinforce your dog appropriately for the behavior you like!
Well it’s back to homework for me since I’m stuck in bed with my leg in the air, but don’t forget to tag us in your doggy adventures and above all, remember life is short, have fun with your dog!