FUN DOG CLUB

01/10/2019

Here’s is a great blog by Ruby Leslie on how a simple toilet paper roll 🧻 can provide for enrichment activities across different levels of complexity..

Know how to transform a toilet paper roll into enrichment for your dog, cat and even rabbit with our incremental step by step videos.

13/08/2019

I feel like every time I open Facebook I see another post about canine enrichment. And, I love it. I think the idea of your dog enjoying themselves and doing a fun activity daily is great.

I recently watched as ASPCA Pro webinar all about enrichment. I decided to take some of the information that I learned and transform it into a poster so that everyone can get some new enrichment ideas for their dog.

What is your dog’s favorite enrichment activity? Share below!

Also, I have received a lot of questions about these posters being available to print. You can find them as PDF's here: https://www.leashandlearnnyc.com/printable-posters

01/08/2019

Enrichment / cognitive activities in a multi-Dog household ... thank you Hersenwerk for Dogs for this great tip!

Multiple dogs and Hersenwerk

Do you have multiple dogs in your household?
How do you offer Hersenwerk to them? How do your dogs react?

Some dogs don't have a problem doing puzzles with food around other dogs. They stay calm, solve the puzzle and don't mind if their dog-sibling in the house steals a treat out of his puzzle.

Our experience however is that most dogs experience some discomfort doing puzzles around other dogs. They get a little more nervous, sniff and eat faster, get impatient and alert. Some dogs will also guard their puzzle, which makes it very difficult to solve the puzzle at the same time.

It's very difficult to guide dogs 1-on-1 when they do puzzles at the same time. You can't focus enough and you'll miss certain signals the dogs give you.

That's why we like to do Hersenwerk with one dog at a time. We give the dog some space by using a crate or other room for the other dog(s). That way you don't need to watch and/or manage your dogs and you can experience 1-on-1 bonding time with that specific dog while doing Hersenwerk.

If you really like to do Hersenwerk with two dogs at the same time, you might want to try to sit in the door opening and guide a dog with Hersenwerk on both sides. That way you are a natural barrier between the dogs and you're able to guide them both.

29/07/2019

Beautiful example of how to set the dog up for success !!!

27/07/2019

Hersenwerk outside!

Even outside you can do Hersenwerk with your dogs. Simple and easy!

These pictures are taken on a field where are normally walk my dogs. There are no other dogs or distractions around. There is a lot of grass, which is perfect to hide treats in and let your dog find them.

The dogs have a great time while eating their breakfast ;)

Be aware when you do this with more dogs at the same time. They must be comfortable to search for food with other dogs around. If not, just do it with one dog at a time.

Thanks to Afke Boll, Kynolink

21/07/2019

How well do your dogs know the habitat around you ? Watching the birds at the lake, scaling the boulders on a rocky hill, running through the tall grass in the field.... let them explore, let them learn, let them know where they belong .... it’s a beautiful world out there ...

...

20/07/2019

This! Can only be achieved through force and fear free training and management ... there is no other way to get such a giant animal to get to do this !!! No force or discipline will work here !

18/07/2019

This is so so important ... always set the dog up for success ... that is the key to canine enrichment !

Frustration

Hersenwerk for Dogs often recommends you to prevent frustration when doing puzzles with your dog. Why is that important? How do you recognize frustration? What do you do when your dog gets frustrated?

You'll probably remember doing something difficult yourself and getting irritated and frustrated, because you didn't seem to be able to achieve your goal. Probably you remember too that this frustration made you agitated and restless, which both didn't help you to concentrate on what you where doing.

That's exactly what happens with dogs. Frustration interferes with concentration and it gives a negative feeling. Concentration and calmness are necessary to solve more complex challenges. That's why it's so important to recognize and prevent frustration.

How do you recognize frustration?

A frustrated dog gets impatient, he wants the treats as soon as possible and isn't concentrated on solving the puzzle anymore. Most of the time you'll see him get more restless or nervous. He starts to chew or bite on the puzzle, he starts 'digging' in the puzzle and maybe he even picks the puzzle up and starts throwing it around.

When you see your dog getting frustrated, it's important to make the puzzle you're doing a few steps easier. Sometimes you can immediately do some quick adjustments, your dog finds treats again and the frustration slowly goes away. Other times you need to end the specific puzzle you're doing, just because frustration got too much in the way. It's best to take the puzzle away. Calm and gently distract the dog from the puzzle by sprinkling some treats on the floor or luring him away with a treat he likes very much, you might even need to distract him with your voice too. Maybe you can offer an easy-to-get puzzle like a snuffle mat to your dog afterwards, so he can relax again.

Try the difficult puzzle again (a few days) later. Make it a few steps easier and see how your dog handles it this time.