Paw pressure

With limited opportunities for exercise every dog owner knows keeping your pet entertained can be more challenging than the children. Here’s a few top tips

- Alexandra Pearce brromehead

There are plenty of reasons why your dog may not be able to go outside for its regular walks; injury to yourself or your dog, poor weather (some dogs can be picky!), or even the recent lockdown we have all experienced. We all know that mental stimulation is just as important for your dog as physical and a lack of mental stimulation can lead to behavioral issues. So, what can you do if walks are off the menu? Here are a few ideas on how to keep your dog entertained at home or in the garden:

New tricks: With extra time on your hands, why not have a go at teaching your dog something that will be useful for you both? You can use treats, your dog’s regular mealtimes or a toy as a reward. As well as the usual ‘sit’, ‘lay down’ and ‘rollover’ commands, you could learn a whole plethora of new games. You could teach your dog to weave around your legs or get them to stick tightly by your side as you move around. You could always practice gestures that the vet may need in the future, like getting your dog to allow you to look in their ears, or pretending to put drops in by gesturing over their eyes or looking inside their mouth. How about teaching them to extend their wait, or even get the whole family involved and see if your dog can “find” a certain relative by name!