Question: Can you recommend some simple games that would be fun for dogs and humans?
Answer: Pawsitive results from play...
Exercise causes chemical reactions in the body and brain that promote a feeling of calm. As well, obedience training is one of the most effective ways to provide mental stimulation and strengthen the dog/owner bond. So why not kill two birds with one stone, no pun intended; provide your dog with a safe and effective, outlet for their energy. How can you do this, you may ask? Its simple - Play doggie games! Playing games with your dog is a great way to provide both mental and physical stimulation while having fun in the process. I've detailed a few games below that are simple to teach and provide lots of fun for you and your four legged family member(s). Also keep in mind as winter approaches the weather gets colder and the days get shorter and it can be extremely difficult to achieve your dogs daily exercise requirements. Once again, playing doggie games indoors can serve as a viable exercise supplement. Notice I said supplement because most dogs (especially certain breeds) will still need to get outside and stretch their legs. It's important to provide proper exercise for your dog based on their individual needs (age, health, energy level, etc). Always check with your veterinarian if you have questions regarding an appropriate exercise routine for your pet.
DOGGIE GAMES
Hide and Seek - Have a relative/friend distract the dog and you walk away (keep it a short distance and quite obvious at first). Once you're away call the dog ("Rover Come") (if you need to at first; clap you hands, make noise, etc), as soon as the dog discovers you, take her collar, give a treat, and lots of praise. Then change places with the other person and have them walk away while you distract the dog. Then they call the dog, when the dog discovers them, they give a treat, and lots of praise, etc. As the game develops make you're hiding places harder. Also, as the dog gets better at the game try not to use any noise, clapping, etc to get her to find you, just call her once and have the other person encourage them to search for you.
Round robin recalls - With two or more people take your dog to a safe place (large room, fenced yard, etc). Then form a circle around the dog and one person take her collar. Then the person with the dog should say "Go to Mommy" (or who ever else they choose) and that is Mommy's cue to call ("Come") the dog. When the dog reaches Mommy, Mommy should take her collar and give a treat. Then Mommy says "Go to Daddy" and lets go of the collar, that's Daddy's cue to call her and when she arrives at daddy, take the collar, give the treat and lots of praise. And so on and so on...
Find it - Using some special treats get your dogs attention by letting them sniff it, take their collar or use a leash and then toss the treat away from them, only a few feet. Say "Find it" and release their collar/leash and let them get the treat. Then let your dog watch you as you place the treat in a place where they need to do a little more work to get it (behind a sofa, under a box, etc). And repeat, say "Find it" and let them go. After a few sessions, make it more difficult and have them stay/wait (use another person to hold their collar if needed) while you place multiple 3-4 treats around the room and then ask them to "Find it". Once your dog starts to get the picture try placing them in one room while you hide treats in another room and then let them in the treat room and tell them to "Find it" - you may need to help them the first few times locating the treats. However, make sure the dog actually noses the treat from its hiding spot by themselves. As they get the hang of this game you can make the hiding places more challenging (across multiple rooms, under different things, etc).
For more information regarding games that you can play with your dog or other pawsitive training methods, contact Pawsitive Pooches at 919-325-0174 or visit us online at www.pawsitive-pooches.com
Grooming at Suite Paws
Kathy & Rhonda
Christmas and the holidays are crazy times in the grooming business. Please book your holiday grooms as early as possible so we can get your pets in.
A Message from Daycare
From Stephanie
We have been very flexible so far with scheduling and allowing everyone into daycare each day, but we are getting close to the cut-off point for Doggie Daycare. Soon we'll have to start limiting our pack. It's growing too big some days! We have lots of regulars on set weekly schedules and would like to encourage as many regulars as possible to stick to set days of the week, if it is at all possible. Please remember to let us know as far in advance as you can if you plan on bringing your pup into group play, we need to make sure we have enough staff scheduled for the group size.
We have updated our Daycare Contract and Information Page and encourage everyone to ask for the new contract. We will be going through the list of regulars in an attempt to get everyone on the same page. It's a short read and you will get a copy to take home. Let us know if you have questions or would like a copy of the contract.
The YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/suitepaws) features almost 200 videos of our daycare pack at play. Most of our regulars have several videos, and we are working to get as many of the pack up there as possible. Make sure to check it out if you haven't seen it before!
Our Flickr Page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/suitepaws/) also hosts many new daycare pictures that we add regularly!
Daycamper of the Week
Reminder: Web Camera Sites!
Indoor Daycare Camera Site:
http://66.83.41.146:8282
Log-in: indoordaycare
Password: (blank)
Outdoor Daycare Camera Site:
http://66.83.41.146:8181
Log-in: Admin
Password: 123456
Choose your web access from the drop-down. You must download ActiveX controls when asked. Works best from Internet Explorer. Sorry, No Macs.
We now have a waiting list for the days around Christmas. We do still have some accommodations for those traveling before Christmas and between Christmas and New Years. Thanks to all of you for helping to make this a good year for Suite Paws. Special thanks to those taking advantage of our referral program.
