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May issue
May issue
Monday 19 November 2012
Surviving bed rest
How do I keep my Lab cross puppy from going crazy in the time after she has been spayed?
check with your vet, but usually short lead walks are ok. you could try doing mind games with your dog. lots of folk think you need to take a dog out for physical excersice to tire it out. when mental simulation can be as tiring. look at students, they dont run marathons to be shattered, they are 'mind' shattered. there are lots of interactive games out there. or do some clicker training with her. but i have to say i have never had a problem with neutered dogs or bitches. they have their lead walks and are happy to settle with a bone or similar.
There are lots of stimulating toys on the market, toys to make your dog use its brain, we get tired when we have to think about things and work things out and it is the same for our four legged friends. Just by simply scattering your dogs biscuits far and wide over your garden, it gives her things to do, sniff and find, and some gentle exercise. You could also use this time to teach her some new tricks and things, i am sure she will love it!! Good luck, and remember, woofers need mental stimulation as well as exercise. How is she in the car, you could take her for some outings out, let her out at the other end and scatter some treats, she will love the new smells and the goodies...
Training, stuffed food carrier toys, food puzzle toys, massage, cuddles, calm interaction from her family...
Ten of fifteen minutes spent doing some calm training e.g. loose leash walking is just as - if not more - tiring than a good long run around off-lead, and has better results for all i.e. a tired dog and one who is learning to walk nicely on the lead.
I have an elderly Labrador with bad arthritis but as a working dog his brain still needs occupying just as your pup does. I find basic retrieving games and scentwork games at home is great. Collect a number of empty cardboard cartons and food packets and hide a piece of smelly food in one of the boxes. Place all the boxes on the floor and encourage your dog to systematically search each box one by one until it finds the treat. Using brain and nose together like this can be exhausting!
When my lab was spayed, we took her for a few short walks on a lead throughout the day and then played with her at home a lot. She also needed mental stimulation, so we used a treat ball which she rolls around so the treats drop out. It's also fun to play games like hiding a treat under a cup so she has to figure out how to get it etc. Your lab cross also needs 'sniffing time', so take her to a patch of grass and let her just sniff! Hope this helps!
Clicker trick training. Fun all round.
ReplyDeletecheck with your vet, but usually short lead walks are ok. you could try doing mind games with your dog. lots of folk think you need to take a dog out for physical excersice to tire it out. when mental simulation can be as tiring. look at students, they dont run marathons to be shattered, they are 'mind' shattered. there are lots of interactive games out there. or do some clicker training with her. but i have to say i have never had a problem with neutered dogs or bitches. they have their lead walks and are happy to settle with a bone or similar.
ReplyDeleteThere are lots of stimulating toys on the market, toys to make your dog use its brain, we get tired when we have to think about things and work things out and it is the same for our four legged friends. Just by simply scattering your dogs biscuits far and wide over your garden, it gives her things to do, sniff and find, and some gentle exercise. You could also use this time to teach her some new tricks and things, i am sure she will love it!! Good luck, and remember, woofers need mental stimulation as well as exercise. How is she in the car, you could take her for some outings out, let her out at the other end and scatter some treats, she will love the new smells and the goodies...
ReplyDeleteTraining, stuffed food carrier toys, food puzzle toys, massage, cuddles, calm interaction from her family...
ReplyDeleteTen of fifteen minutes spent doing some calm training e.g. loose leash walking is just as - if not more - tiring than a good long run around off-lead, and has better results for all i.e. a tired dog and one who is learning to walk nicely on the lead.
I have an elderly Labrador with bad arthritis but as a working dog his brain still needs occupying just as your pup does. I find basic retrieving games and scentwork games at home is great. Collect a number of empty cardboard cartons and food packets and hide a piece of smelly food in one of the boxes. Place all the boxes on the floor and encourage your dog to systematically search each box one by one until it finds the treat. Using brain and nose together like this can be exhausting!
ReplyDeleteWhen my lab was spayed, we took her for a few short walks on a lead throughout the day and then played with her at home a lot. She also needed mental stimulation, so we used a treat ball which she rolls around so the treats drop out. It's also fun to play games like hiding a treat under a cup so she has to figure out how to get it etc. Your lab cross also needs 'sniffing time', so take her to a patch of grass and let her just sniff! Hope this helps!
ReplyDelete