Rainy Weather Getting Your Dog Down?

Spring time in Ohio means lots of cool, rainy days. And this year is no exception. Right now, my backyard looks more like a swamp than a doggy playground. Even with the weather is horrible, the dogs still need mental and physical stimulation. So, what can you do to engage your dog's mind and drain off some of his pent-up energy?

(1) TREADMILL: Teaching your dog to walk or run on a treadmill takes some patience and lots of practice, but you will soon find that he loves it. Why? It is mentally challenging and physically tiring. Just make sure you don't ask your dog to run faster or for longer than he is capable of doing. Just like humans, dogs need time to warm up their muscles and to build their stamina.

(2) PUZZLES: Ask your dog to "work" for his food. Feeding your dog's meals using a Kong Wobbler, Buster Cube, Tug-a-Jug, or any of Nina Ottosson's puzzle toys is a great way to challenge his brain. Invest in a few of these durable toys, so that your dog never knows in which toy he will find his food.

(3) SCENT GAMES: All dogs have highly developed olfactory systems, so put your dog's nose to work! It can be as simple as placing a high-value treat under one of 3 opaque cups and asking him to find it. Reward only when he chooses the correct cup. To minimize confusion, make sure you always place the treat under the same cup; vary its location so your dog won't know whether to choose left, right, or middle.

If you have a scent hound, try applying commercially available animal scent--the kind used to train hunting dogs--to a ball or favorite toy. Let your dog get a good sniff and then hide the toy. Chances are, he'll take off after the toy with little prompting in your part. Start off with easy hiding places, like in the middle of the floor in the next room. As he gets better at finding the toy, increase the degree of difficulty to keep him interested.

(4) HIDE-AND-SEEK: Ask your dog for a stay, then leave the room. Once you're out of sight, call your dog until he finds you. When he has the idea, make it a little more challenging by hiding in closets, behind furniture or behind open doors.

If your dog likes to play fetch, hide his favorite toy in plain sight in the next room. Then ask him to find it. You may need to place a jackpot of high-value treats by the toy to encourage him to find it. As his skill increases, hide the toy in less visible places: under furniture, behind doors, or in a basket of other toys. 

(5) FETCH UP AND DOWN THE STAIRS: If your dog likes to retrieve, play fetch in the house. If you don't have a Major League arm, use areas where there's the least possibility of damaging your belongings. If you have stairs, stand at the top of them and throw your dog's favorite fetch toy. He'll do the majority of the work, running down the stairs to get the ball and back up to return it to you. No stairs? Try the game in a hallway.

(6) WILL WORK FOR FOOD: Instead of feeding your dog's kibble in his bowl, use it as a substitute for his usual treats when you practice obedience.

With a little creativity, it is easy to meet your dog's needs for exercise and mental stimulation, no matter how bad the weather may be.

Have other suggestions? I'd love to hear them.