As times progress, we all seem to be spending more of it at home with our beloved pets. At the start it is fun, and you think about all the things you can do together but then life takes over and you’re not sure what to do next! Here are some fun ideas that you can do at home with your dog without leaving the house!
- Join the 15 Day Woofi Challenge – This challenge is an interactive way to build a stronger bond with your dog along with getting support from our trainer Bethany Kent. This challenge looks at giving you training and challenges to do with your dog that is not going to take over your life! You will get access to the Woofi Challenge Facebook Group where everyone will be sharing what they are doing via videos and photos. As well as having Beth around to answer questions. It is a fun and interactive way to make sure you are doing something with your dog. Click this link to join us TODAY! 15 Day Woofi Challenge – Barking Buds
- Learn a new trick – There are so many videos on the Barking Buds YouTube channel then you can use to teach your dog a new trick or behaviour. This is training you can do for three minutes a day and it does not have to take over your life. Barking Buds – YouTube
- Give your dog a massage – I know it sounds a bit weird, but it is proven that the more contact you have with your dog (stroking, grooming, massage…) the stronger your bond will be. It is the same with humans. Massaging Your Dog | Teacher’s Pet With Victoria Stilwell – YouTube
- Play Hide n’ Seek – This is perfect for all the family. Get your dog distracted in something (ex, a small pile of food, another person) and then go and hide. After that, call their name and wait until they find you. This is also an awesome game to help with recall and building your dogs want to be around you.
- Play with your dog’s favourite toy together (NO RULES) – I can hear what you’re thinking! What do you mean no rules? Just play with your dog. No commands, no asking them to leave it. Encourage them to bring the toy back to you, even have a game of tug if your dog likes it. Having this type of play every now and again will allow your dog to be more flexible in what they do.
- Indoor Foraging Challenge – Create a pile of pillows, blankets, and towels for you dog to go rummaging around in for food or toys depending on what they like. If you give them an area or time where they can dig, this will help reduce it in the house or garden.
- Enrichment Games – Over the next few weeks, there are going to be lots of Enrichment Games posted on the Barking Buds Social Media Profiles like Facebook, Instagram and even Tik Tok. Make sure you are following to get some awesome ideas that do not break the bank. One idea is to get an empty egg box, put your dog’s food inside and close it. Then just pop it on the floor and watch them try and get into it. These games are a great way to stimulate your dog’s brain.
- Create an obstacle course for your dog – Find item around the house that it is safe for you dogs to walk over, jump over, go under or through. As well as it is a fun challenge for them it will also help build your dog’s confidence around in new situations that they may not be used to (novelty). This one is also great for younger children as they do the course with the dog.
- Play Cup, Cup, Cup – This game is super simple and gets the dog’s brain working. You can use treats or their normal daily food for this one. Have three cups (preferably plastic) and put them on the floor upside down. Put some of your dog’s food underneath the one and ask them to pick a cup by using a part of their body. Once they have gotten this you can then look at switching the cups around and seeing if your dog can find which one it is in.
- Right of Left Hand? – This is a game like Cup, Cup, Cup but you are using your hand. Place some of your dog’s food in one hand and get them to pick which one they think it is in.
- Snuggle and Relax – Not all dogs are ready and raring to go. Make sure you are doing the right thing for your dog and sometimes that is just chilling and watching some Netflix or Disney+.
- Make some simple dog treats – I do not know about you, but I was always scared to make my own dog treats because I did not know what to put in them. Below is a super simple recipe which makes lots of dog biscuits for you to use as training treats or just to have each day for your dog. BEWARE not to feed your dog all the biscuits, one or two a day is enough.
Recipe
You will need:
150g Plain Flour
1 Heaped Tbsp Corn Flour
40g Butter
1 Tbsp Honey
1 Egg
1 Tbsp of Dog Peanut Butter
Method
- Set Oven to 150c/130c Fan
- In a large bowl pour the plain and cornflour, add butter and gently mix.
- Add the egg, peanut butter & honey then knead the mixture together.
- Dust surface with flour and roll flat.
- Now stamp out your biscuits with what size or shape you would like and place on a greased baking tray.
- Put in the oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Allow cooling before allowing your dog to taste.