EXERCISE DOGS AT HOME – MUST-KNOWN TIPS & RECOMMENDATIONS
With the fight against the pandemic continuing to 2021, people are adapting their daily habits to the new rules. Responsible pet parents are switching the normal exercise of their dogs to alternative indoor ones. If you’re looking for tips on how to exercise dogs at home, take your time and follow the below tips to help your puppies stay healthy and entertained while keeping your safety during this turbulent time.
Indoor activities to get your pets occupied
Ball throwing to make full use of the stairs
If you own a house with big flights of stairs, be sure to make the most out of them. You can consider running up and down to tire out your dog and help them release pent-up energy. Or to make the exercise more fun, you can engage him in ball throwing gameplay. All you need to do is to stand at the top of the stairs, throw a ball all the way down for them to fetch. Once they reach the bottom, it’s your turn to ask them to return it and start a new round.
Be aware that this exercise is not suitable for old pooches or dogs with existing health issues, especially those suffering from joint problems. If your pup tries stairs for the first time, make sure to slowly instruct and encourage them all the way up and down. To better engage them in the gameplay, why not wear a lovely dog mom shirt to show your unconditional love for your fur baby!
Customized obstacle course
Another creative way to exercise dogs at home is to create an obstacle course. This might take a bit of your creativity but end up super funny at the end of the day. Find objects around your house such as sofa, chairs, tables to set up some challenges. Cushions and pillows can also join the game as obstacles for your furry friend to navigate.
Then, to get started, you’d better slowly introduce and slowly walk your pet through the obstacle course first. Once he gets used to it, you can let him conquer the challenge on his own. This is a great way to have fun with your dog at your comfort home while boosting their mental and physical health.
Play hide and seek around the house
You can also play hide and seek along with your pooches. This at-home exercise will be full of joy when your pet and more and more people can join together. Just tell your little furry friend to sit or stay still while you go and find a place to hide. Then one of you will call his name so that he will start running around to catch you. It is not only funny, but it also keeps your canine busy, active while staying at home. Most importantly, there’s no equipment involved and you can easily tie the bond with your pet.
Which hands or shell game to exercise dogs at home
As great brain training games, which hands and shell game are quite similar to some extent. With the former gameplay, start with a treat in your hand and close your fists. Then, show both of your hands in front of your puppies. By sniffing the fists, he can pick the correct hand and enjoy the treat.
The shell game is one of the coolest mind games for your pet. It will train his attention and problem-solving skills at the same time. To set up for the game, you could take some bowls or cups to cover up the well-deserved treat. Then shuffle them several times and let him find the right treat place.
Must-known tips to exercise dogs at home
Acceptedly, keeping your pup interested in the exercises might seem quite difficult in the first place. To ensure they’re not bored during the whole time, it’s a good idea to get them some new toys and give them rewarding treats. Don’t hesitate to give them compliments each time they conquer a challenge.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you must keep control of the playtime. Although the below exercises and gameplay are beneficial to dogs, it’s important to have a clear limit. A structured timeline will ensure they’re not exhausted at the end of the day and still getting sufficient rest.
In addition, remember that the above-listed activities are sometimes not suitable for all dogs. Each dog has different capabilities and needs, so be sure to base their physical and mental health before engaging them in the exercises. Also, you need to be considerate of the surrounding environment. For instance, if you’re living in an apartment with loads of people, some activities will not work.
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If you’re busy with your remote jobs and cannot spare much time with your pets, having a treadmill is also a wonderful idea to keep them physically active. It might take a while to train your dogs but a win-win bet to place for both of you. To reap the benefits of the exercise, you can start at a low pace, keep an eye on your pooches occasionally, and give them treats once they finish.