With this recent
bad weather we have been getting, it is sometimes difficult to get our dogs out for long walks.
Playing
scent games with your dog on a
rainy day is a good way to mentally tire them when you can’t get them
out for as long as you’d like to. There are all sorts of different games
you can play with your dog that encourages him to use
his natural foraging behaviours, a 20 minute scenting session with your
dog will have him tired for hours!
When
you first start playing scent games
with your dog, start easy and then progress at your individual dog’s
speed. Have him in a stay, or have someone holding him back, and walk
away and place a small smelly treat in front of him. Then
tell him “find it” and release him to get the treat. As he gets better
and better at this game you can make things more difficult and
interesting. You can have him out of site when you place the
treat, or hide the treat under items, or at different levels in your
house. The better they get the harder you can make it, but always throw
in the odd easy find to keep him eager and motivated when
he has the harder sessions with you.
Even
with rainy weather, it is important
to get your dog out on a walk, but it is understandable not to want to
stay outside for very long, so playing scent work games is a fun
alternative to miles of trudging with your dog on a wet and
windy day!
www.4pawswalkies.co.uk
