All Things Dog Blog

Showing posts with label dog games. Show all posts

Friday, July 5, 2013

Sun Sensitive Eyes? Doggles Has a Solution

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Okay, I know this does not appear to have any possible way to connect to the Weekly Wag, but stay with me. I'm trying to get there!

Has your dog ever struggled with any of nature's elements while you and he try to enjoy the outdoors together? Tanner, as an obvious result of his blonde color, has sensitive eyes. He has always squinted in the sun, avoided looking up while facing the sun, and generally done better with outdoor photos taken in early morning or early evening when the glare is less intense.

During a tour of Global Pet Expo, I had an opportunity to pick up a sample of Doggles, hoping to get Tanner to accommodate me in asking him to wear them. Who knew this would be so easy? I expected all manner of "Thank you but I'm busy now", but instead got an easy and almost immediately happy dog. Seriously!

We spent a while outside by the pool, and even found that Tanner was not terribly concerned about wearing the Doggles on top of his head when in the shade. This was not his favorite, but clearly wasn't out of the question either.

By the time we finished our afternoon's activities and photos, Tanner had almost forgotten he was wearing the Doggles. I gave him a Natural Balance treat to let him know what a good job he had done. I was beaming with pride that he even considered allowing me to put these foreign objects over his eyes. It didn't seem natural to me. Go figure!

Each time Tanner allows me to take him to an activity that is completely new to him, I realize how close we have become. He trusts me not to hurt him or lead him into discomfort. There is rarely a "Wait, I'm not sure this is okay" look on his face any longer. Is that bonding? You bet!

Tell me about a bonding experience with your Fido. We'd all like to hear. The comment link is open.

Join us each week for the Weekly Wag bonding series, held during the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop. The hop is hosted by Life with Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers, and Confessions of the Plume. You are welcome to link up here, or check any of their sites for their rules of participation. Happy hopping!

Friday, June 21, 2013

Dog Toy Name Games Get Tougher

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Last week I talked about how Tanner and I have enjoyed the game of naming his dog toys. This is particularly fun with his Fetch toys, the ones he places the highest value on. Today I'll share a couple of our more advanced versions of multi-toy Fetch.

Soon to be 7, he is showing no signs of reducing his social life, and still enjoys his favorite forms of exercise. We're officially sticking by our statement that he's not yet a senior :)

Here's one of Tanner's favorite games that you can play inside, outside, or in the water. Collect 5 or 6 of your dog's favorite toys to Fetch. It's important that he sees them as toys that are part of this game, so he'll understand that he's supposed to bring them back to you.

With your dog in a "Stay", but watching what you do, spread the toys out in a number of locations, all in his view. Now I'll give you a couple of different versions to choose from:

If your pooch knows any of his toys' names, ask him to retrieve them by name, waiting for the requested toy to return before throwing any of the others that he returns in the process. Avoid giving him praise for returning the wrong toys, and encourage him to collect the one you specifically requested. That's the goal! Sometimes this takes a while to sink in. Tanner had to understand that I was only going to toss again after he returned the toy I requested. Tough concept, but once he got it, it was super easy and fun to watch.
If your dog doesn't know toy names, try this version: Give the Fetch command and wait to toss the toys a 2nd time until after ALL of the toys have been returned to you. This is a completely different skill that is very tough because their ADD gets in the way. As your dog heads out to pick up a toy, he'll see another one in his peripheral vision, dropping the first and heading after the 2nd. These momentary lapses of keeping the eye on the goal will keep him from learning this game for quite a while. It's a great challenge, and after he successfully completes the return and you toss the toys again, he'll begin to understand the goal. Be patient and give lots of praise for his efforts. While you watch your dog learning, you'll also be learning a good deal about his ability to focus and what his distractions are. Enjoy this!

Let me know how your dog does with these games. I'd love to learn from you. Do you have any creative versions of Fetch that you can share? The comment link is open. See you again next week for another version of the Weekly Wag, when I share tips and strategies for bonding with your dog.

Friday, June 14, 2013

Bonding by the Names: Toy Identities!

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

"Yes, Tanner. That's right boy." This is a game we've enjoyed greatly over the years. Tanner has at times known the names of upwards of a dozen toys. Currently, not so much. I think I've let this game slide in favor of newer experiments.

You may enjoy bonding with your dog over this game, just as we did. Start with a favorite toy, one that your dog frequently brings out on his own. Here's how I began to teach Tanner the names:

I took his favorite toy and placed it on the floor within sight, making sure that the floor was clean of other toys to distract him while first learning.
I asked Tanner to get the toy, giving it a simple name that could not easily be confused with other words in his vocabulary. It's important to make it an intuitive name for you also, so YOU won't forget the name.
If your dog doesn't immediately pick up the toy, motion to it or offer it to him. When he takes it, reward, praise and throw a party, repeating the name of the toy frequently.
Continue this reward system until your dog understands what the name of the toy is and will go and get it when you place it farther and farther away from him.

It's that easy; honest! Just remember to keep it fun and go at your dog's own pace. Stick with one toy at a time until he's 100% accurate each and every time you request the toy.

Until then, do not move to another toy.

Once your dog gets to know a few of his toys' names, you can start the real fun. Place the toys in various locations in a room, asking him to fetch one by name. Praise as soon as he responds by heading toward the correct toy. This is a terrific brain game as well as a nice rainy day activity. Don't forget to let Fido know how proud you are of his new skills!

Thanks for joining us for the Weekly Wag where I share tips and inspiration on bonding with your dog each Saturday. I encourage you to share your own experiences and we do a quarterly drawing from comments as an incentive to share your dog's adventures. June 30 is right around the corner. The comment link is open!

Happy tails,

Friday, April 13, 2012

Weekly Wag #16:
Ball Games for Big Dogs

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

No long faces all you toy dog owners. Your time will come also. Today's post will involve ball games that use an Unbreakoball. However, if you have another ball at home, feel free to use it for these games which can be played indoor or out, depending on the weather. Small dogs can also be encouraged to participate with a properly sized ball.

Box-ball: (the Fido version of basketball) Take a generously sized box and fold the flaps inside. Insert a hand full of kibble into the holes of the Unbreakoball. Place the Unbreakoball in the box as your dog watches. This introduction to his new toy is likely all you need. He'll grab the ball, gripping it by the holes, and enjoy a game of carrying or rolling it around, while retrieving the falling kibble. When your dog returns to the box to check for kibble there, be sure to praise and click (if you have a clicker, this game will be learned much faster!) if he drops the ball inside. Repeat the process a few times during each game, but don't let it drag on. Fifteen minutes is plenty.
Soccer: You will hardly need much instruction now, but this new game will certainly change things up for Fido. Place the box, from the game above on its side, so that it creates a net-shaped structure. Without your dog noticing, place a few pieces of kibble inside the box. I recommend putting the box up against something sturdy, to keep it from tipping over backwards. After dropping a few pieces of kibble inside the ball, roll the ball toward the "net". Go to the net and begin calling your dog to you, encouraging him to bring the ball. You're sure to get a good laugh as he may offer many versions of our kids' favorite soccer game. Your only goal is to encourage him toward the box and when he gets near the box, throw a party. Praise! Treat! Help him locate the kibble inside the box too. All this will eventually result in a dog who understands that the ball is supposed to come to the box. It may not roll, but that's okay. Have fun!

Watch for more games next week. Meanwhile, if you're interested in one of these Unbreakoballs, you can enter our giveaway at the link. Enjoy the game and be sure to keep it all light and fun.

Unbreakoball.com provided a ball for Tanner to test, and for us to devise these games for the Weekly Wag. We were not paid to give these ideas or our input on the product. There is no purchase required to enter the giveaway at the link above.

This post is part of the Saturday Pet Blogger Hop hosted by Life with Dogs, Two Little Cavaliers, and Confessions of the Plume. You are welcome to link up here, or visit any of their sites for their rules of participation and another opportunity to link up. Happy hopping!

All Things Dog Blog

Friday, July 5, 2013

Sun Sensitive Eyes? Doggles Has a Solution