With the current situation we are all feeling the cabin fever about to set in. From having to self isolate, hearing about everywhere closing and social distancing, it can all be a bit overwhelming. To help combat boredom we at Village Vets have come up with a list of fun safe activities for you and your dog.
1. Search & sniff /Find the treats
Hide treats around the house for them to sniff out and eat. Dogs have an excellent sense of smell and this will appeal to some of their natural hunting skills. Let your pet watch as you hide the treats. Then give them the cue to find the treats and watch as they set off on their sniffing adventure. Don’t forget to praise them everytime they find one of their hidden treasures. If you want to increase the difficulty of the game don’t let your pet see where you hide the treats and hide them somewhere they really have to sniff them out!
2. Tug of war
A classic! And for good reason. This is so simple and dogs love this game. All you need for this is a rope toy but most of their toys can work. It doesn’t take a lot of room to play so it’s perfect for this time of self isolation. Let your dog win sometimes, this will help encourage them to play more and make it fun for all.
3. DIY puzzle feeder
Give your pup a challenge and have them work for their food. Puzzle feeders are a great way to keep your furry friend entertained or to get them to eat their dinner slower. A simple DIY puzzle feeder we like only requires a muffin tin and some of their toy balls. Simply place the treats in the tin then cover with their toy. If you want I change it up you can always flip the tin upside down and scatter the treats in the groves!
4. Chewy dog treats
Simple but effective! Just give them a treat they can chew for hours! Some treats can even help clean their teeth!
5. Teach them new tricks
Now is the perfect time to teach your pooch a trick. They’ve got time. You’ve got time. So let's learn! They probably know the basics like sit, lay down and shake. Why not teach them to weave through your legs? It’s easier to teach than you’d think. Or if you don’t feel like teaching them something new why not go over the tricks they already know?
6. Hide and seek
It might seem like a simple game to us but some dogs really love this game. Get your fur baby to sit and stay while you hide. Make sure to call them every so often so they know they are meant to be trying to find you. Get excited with them when they find you to help encourage them to play more.
7. Play the shell game
To play the shell game all you need is three cups and some treats. Place a treat under one of the cups, letting your fur-end see which one it’s under. Then shuffle them and encourage them to find the treat. See how many times it takes your pup to find the treat.
8. Play the which hand game
Similar to the shell game but instead of using cups place a treat in your hand and shuffle them around and let your dog pick which hand the treat is in.
9. Fetch
Another classic for obvious reasons. This can be played inside or out. This game is easy to play but not possible for everyone. If you live in a small apartment with a St. Bernard you might want to give this one a pass if you like keeping your home intact! This will also give your pet some of the exercise they need.
10. Go for a walk
Now last but certainly not least, go for a walk with your dog! With everyone getting claustrophobic indoors more people are going out for a walk. And who else loves walks? Your doggo! Perfect combination, you get some fresh air and out of the house and they get the exercise they need! Remember to keep social distance so if you see your friend keep 2 meters apart.
See our blog for our Covid-19 advice in our clinics.
We know this is a very stressful and strange time for everyone but remember it is only temporary. We must all do our part by staying at home and keeping social distance when we must go out. But together we will get through this.
