INDOOR GAMES FOR HOT SUMMER DAYS

Photo Courtesy of Soggydan

There are many joys to summer; the warm weather, more hours of sunlight, watermelon, lemonade, and days spent on sandy beaches. But unfortunately, there are also some drawbacks to these summer months as well. The humidity is so sticky you suddenly start sporting a new, not so nice hairstyle that consists of frizz and then some. Only being outside for 10 minutes can result in peeling sunburn and the heat can become so hot and oppressive you have trouble moving faster than a slug’s pace. All of a sudden, that house you wanted so desperately to escape in the winter months has become a cool refuge. Your dog agrees, but has started rummaging through the bathroom garbage as a source of entertainment. You however, may not find this quite as entertaining. Don’t worry, the following indoor games will amuse both you and your pooch while keeping you both comfortable and cool.

Hide and Seek

Have your dog locate his or her favorite toy by letting your fuzzbucket first sniff the toy and then hide it in another room. When your dog finds the toy reward him or her with a treat or praise and kisses. If your dog does not have a special toy and is more treat motivated, command your dog to sit and stay. Hide small bits of food around the room and have your dog use his or her nose and memory to find all of the delicious surprises. Reward with praise.

Magical Cups
Entertain your pup with your own magic show. On a carpeted floor for extra traction, line up three plastic cups and hide a treat under one of the cups. Have your pooch utilize their amazing olfactory senses to determine which of the three cups the tasty treat is hiding under. If your dog has a tendency to knock over the cups in a greedy haste to get at the goods, use something sturdier like mugs or small bowls.

Retrieve and Receive
It seems that every canine commercial or movie shows a dog triumphantly trotting with the morning newspaper clutched in his mouth to bring to the family as they enjoy breakfast, while birds chirp melodically outside in the background to herald the new day. Though we rarely see this in real life, it is absolutely possible to get your dog to retrieve things for you and will make your life a little easier. While allowing your dog to go out the front door without your supervision is risky and not recommended, you can always have your dog take the paper out to recycling or empty cardboard paper towel rods which are easy to grip in their doggie mouths as long as your recycling is indoors. Use praise, treats, and repetition.

Doggy Dancing

Throw on some tunes and get moving! Teach your dog some basic doggy dancing tricks at Morris K9 Campus’s Doggy Dancing Workshop on Sunday 7/10 from 11AM-1PM and practice them at home for some fun bonding time that is great for your dog’s mental stimulation and will impress all your friends.

If you are still looking for engrossing ways to keep your dog occupied in the steamy months ahead, don’t hesitate to stop by Morris K9 Campus where our line-up of interesting classes, fun weeks of daycare, and agility work will both physically and mentally engage your canine.

DOGGIE DANCING

Last week we taught you how to connect with your dog in the upcoming summer months by playing fetch with your spunky pal in the warm outdoors. This week, we present another fun-loving alternative that is sure to have you and your pup moving in sync together. Cue up the conga line and step into rhythm, its time for Doggy Dancing! If you and your dog want more ways to have fun together, Morris K9 Campus has got you covered!

What is Doggy Dancing?!

Don’t worry, we haven’t gone crazy, doggy dancing, or musical canine freestyle, is the newest and coolest activity to sweep the dog-nation. Doggy dancing is a modern dog sport that is competed in many parts of the world. However, it is the perfect activity for those who just want to have fun with their dog. Doggy Dancing is influenced by musical kur, a form of the equine sport, dressage, which puts a horse’s tightly controlled movements to music.

Photo Courtesy of FlyNutAA

How Does Our Doggy Dancing Class Work?

Morris K9 Campus will get you started with the very basics. We combine off-leash obedience training with enjoyment and motivation. You will learn to do heeling formations, group formations, pace changes and turns as well as a slew of tricks such as circles, flipping to heel, sit between legs, weave through legs, and jump through arms, legs or hula hoop. Eventually, your imagination will be the only limit to the tricks, turns, and freestyle moves you and your dog will perform in harmony.



Who Should Try Doggy Dancing?

This class is recommended for any dogs that have taken basic obedience or agility classes at Morris K9 Campus or the equivalent at another school, or for owners that want an opportunity to enliven their dog’s life with more interactive activity.

When is Doggy Dancing?

Doggy Dancing will be offered Sunday, July 10 at Morris K9 Campus from 11AM-1PM. Click here to enroll today!

Here's a preview of some steps you and your dog will learn in our Doggy Dancing Workshop.

Does your dog want to dance?!

The Hunt for the Best Dog Toy

A long time ago, in far simpler times, the question of which toy(s) to purchase your dog never plagued the human population. There was either a bone or a stick from the backyard. But experience and common sense has shown that sticks and bones aren’t the safest playthings for your pup. More popular today are rawhides and chewing sticks, but even these pose some risks to your dog’s health. Because of this, efforts have been made to produce better, safer toys that produce a variety of squeaks, moos, and even songs. The sky’s the limit! And while having an array of options is great, it can be overwhelming. If you’re struggling to decide where to put your money in the canine toy arena, we can help! The following is our “Pick of the Litter” of dog toys, and methods of deciding which is best for your particular pooch.

Chew Style

What type of chewer is your dog? Does your pal rip all toys to shreds, or gently nibble? If your dog tends to settle down with a toy and really go at it, it’s best to purchase playthings that are made of durable rubber like Kongs made by the Kong Company®. Kongs have been known to withstand the roughest chewers. When the rubber begins to crack and tear, its time to throw it out and buy another.

If your dog has a softer approach to playing, or loves toys that squeak and squeal, consider sewn plush toys. Canvas toys are a terrific option for rough chewers that are fans of the squeak. Semi-aggressive chompers can also enjoy rope toys which break apart less easily and are wonderful for your pet’s dental health.

Planet Dog has even devised a system to aid consumers in the purchase of dog toys called the Chew-o-Meter. Their system takes into account the chewing style of your pup compared to the durability of their products to help you make the best purchase possible. Furthermore, 2% of your purchase is used to fund the training of service dogs. 

Know Your Material

It is important to be aware of the materials used to make your dog’s toy because they spend a lot of time in your canine’s mouth where harmful substances can be easily absorbed. Be careful; the Consumer Product Safety Commission only deems pet toys harmful if they put the owner at risk! As mentioned previously, Kongs® and Nylabones® are safe products that are made without harmful toxins but if you are unsure, check the label.

Safety First

Instead of smaller toys that may be a choking risk, stick to Frisbees and large balls that can’t reach the back of your dog’s mouth. A reader of The Bark recommends lacrosse balls which are large and come in a variety of fun colors. In addition, regularly check all toys for cracks or holes so that your dog’s mouth stays in tip-top shape.

Forward Thinking Pet Companies

Companies like Kong®, Tough by Nature, and Planet Dog are innovative toy producers that keep the safety of your pet in mind. They constantly take our pets’ needs and health concerns to heart and consistently provide new modes of fun and recreation.

The dog toy frontier is also pioneered by designers who wish to actively and mentally engage dogs with puzzle-like toys that require your pet to move pieces in order to reveal hidden treats. Nina Ottosson has a line a of dog toys that seek to work the canine brain by encouraging them to discover concealed treats using their nose and paws. Some of Ottosson’s products are made from particle board and should not be eaten or chewed, so it is important to watch your dog while playing with them. Another great option is the Buster Cube, which comes in different size cubes that must be rolled around in order to dispense the treats inside. Resembling a gumball machine, the Yuppy Puppy Food and Treat Machine has a large bone handle that when pressed down by your pup’s paw, dispenses treats! However, if you have any hesitations about whether your dog will chew off pieces of these brain teasers toys, opt to only use them when you can monitor your dog.

To keep the good times rolling for you and your best friend, consider your dog’s safety and well-being when selecting from the large range of toy options on the pet market today. Ready, set, play!

Sources: Sheila Pell The Bark.com
The Happy Dog Spot