Structured Fetch: Benefits and How-Tos

Nakia & Bravo hold a sit stay while waiting for the stick to be thrown.

Playing fetch can be a good aerobic exercise for your furry friend as well as a great way to bond with one another. Some dogs will play fetch naturally while others may need to be taught or may have no interest in the game at all. Playing fetch with your dog is a good physical exercise but most dogs lack the mental exercise they need in their daily lives. Fetch for many dogs becomes a mindless game of chasing a ball, stick or other toy. By adding a little more structure to this activity we not only make it a wonderful training exercise but we  work our dog’s mind as well as their body. Structured fetch will help wear your dog out a lot faster and will help reduce destructive behaviors like chewing and digging. Dogs often chew and dig because of this lack of mental stimulation.

So, how do you add more structure to the game of fetch? Well, start by simply asking your dog to sit before throwing the ball. As soon as your dog sits, reward him or her by throwing the toy and saying “fetch”. You will find with most dogs that eventually when you have the ball or toy, your dog will automatically sit. Once your dog has become good at this exercise, start asking him or her to sit for longer periods of time before throwing the object. And again when they have this down begin asking him or her to stay while you throw the ball. Sometimes you may need to hold your dog’s collar or have the dog on leash when you begin this exercise. Especially for those dogs who are extremely ball focused. Then begin asking your dog to do different things for the ball, for example “lay down” or “speak”. Be careful with the speak command though as some dogs will then start barking every time they drop the ball. If your dog does this, DO NOT throw the ball. Throwing the ball is a reward for good behavior. Do not reward behaviors you do not want.

Daisy practices her impulse control.

Making your dog work for the ball will help build the bond between you two. It will help teach your dog impulse control and will bring you closer. Your dog will learn that nothing in life is free and come to respect you as a leader providing something he or she values. If you need more assistance with teaching your dog structured fetch, give us a call today. We would be more than happy to help out! http://www.BarkAndBiscuitPets.com

10 Dog Toys You Can Make At Home

Happy Earth Day Everyone! One of my weaknesses is that I just can’t bring myself to throw away perfectly good objects that I no longer need. I have a box or two filled with old t-shirts and a box of pants with rips and holes that I save in hopes that one day I can use them for crafty stuff. I try to reuse and re-purpose when ever possible but I really hate putting useable items in the trash. Thank goodness for DI, the Salvation Army and Goodwill or I would not be able to walk in my own house.

Not only are dog toys expensive (check out dog.com for a cheaper alternative) but if your dog is at all like my dog Nakia, many of these expensive dog toys don’t last very long. She is a very heavy chewer. Because of this, I personally have a hard time justifying the expense of most dog toys. It is rare that so called “indestructible” toys survive her jaws. It just seems silly to spend $10 or more on a toy that she will have in pieces in just minutes…if that long.

In honor of Earth Day, I thought I would write a post on making toys for your dog out of items you may already have around your house. Disclaimer: Toys should always be used under supervision. Strings and stuffing can come out an be digested, buttons can be choked on and many other things can happen. Use your own discretion. It is better safe than sorry.

1. Tube Sock Ball Toy – Take an old tube sock and put a tennis ball or two inside. Tie off the end. This works great for fetch.
2. Tug-O-War Rag Toy – Tie a knot in the middle of a clean rag or several knots in an old towel. You can also put doggy toothpaste on this toy and use it to help brush your dog’s teeth while playing. Another alternative use for this toy: run the rag under the facet, squeeze out water and put in the freezer for approximately an hour. This works well to help soothe a teething dog’s gums.
3. 

   Nakia chewing on part of a car tire. Not something I recommend.

   Tire Chew – One of Nakia’s favorite toys is a tire. Try to avoid most car tires. Not only are they covered in potential toxins but they are reinforced with metal. This can cause digestive issues as well as cracked or broken teeth. I try to find old motorcycle tires or bicycle tires. Be sure to clean thoroughly! And while it is pretty comical to watch Nakia try to carry around a car tire, legs running trough the middle hole, a bike tire is much easier for her to move. This works for those really heavy chewers.

4. 

   Nakia showing off her rope handling skills.

   Cloth or Rope Braid – If you have some left over fleece from a craft project, an old blanket or shirt, or some old rope use strips or cords and braid tying a knot at either end. Lots of fun for tug-o-war and also can help with teeth cleaning and dental health. Think floss. This is a very easy project for kids to make.

5. Tennis Ball Rope Toy – Drill two holes in a tennis ball. Take the above cloth or rope braid, before tying the knots and insert through holes. Then tie off the ends of the rope. Works well for tug or fetch.
6. Tire Swing – This is for the really strong jawed dogs. I suggest only letting your dog use this while under supervision, of course all of these should be used under supervision but this one has a higher risk. Drill a whole  through an old tire and thread a sturdy rope through the hole and knot to secure. Tie the other end of the rope to a sturdy tree branch in your yard. This is not a literal swing for your dog however Nakia loves to try. She loves it when I put the tire up a little higher so that when she jumps up and grabs it in her mouth her legs dangle off the ground. She will then start whipping her body back and forth to swing herself. Hence, why I named this toy the tire swing.
7. 

   “What? I’m making more stuffing for Rosie’s ghetto ball toy.”

   Ghetto Ball – This toy is probably best for non-chewers like my little Rosalie. Take old newspaper or scrap paper and wad into a ball. Wrap tightly with duck tape. You can also use old rags, t-shirts, socks and the like. I’ve even used stuffing from toys Nakia has torn apart. This also works well as a cat toy!

8. Old Sweater Bone Toy –  This toy is a little more advanced than the ones listed above. It requires some sewing. Basically you cut out two bone shapes from an old sweater, sew together and fill with stuffing. I also like to add the old squeakers that Nakia has pulled out of other toys. Yes, I have a small box of old squeakers too. For more detailed instructions click here.
9. Doggy Apple Bob – Fill up a pail or bucket with water. Drop in an apple or a few tennis balls. Watch your dog try to retrieve the objects from the water creating their own apple bob. This is best done outside. Water will get everywhere! Lots of fun to help cool your dog in the summer.
10. Doggy Play House –  Many people don’t realize this but some dogs like to play hide-and-seek too. Take a cardboard box and get creative. Cut out windows or a door and hide treats or toys around the new play house. This works well as mental stimulation too. You can add boxes and increase the challenges. This is a great way to teach your dog to use his or her nose too.

If your dog already has a lot of toys or you just have extra materials, why not make a few extra while you’re at it and run them down to your local shelter. Shelter dogs can always use a toy or two to help fight the boredom of sitting in their kennels all day. You can also donate old blankets, t-shirts and towels so the animals can have something warm and soft to lie on instead of the cold, hard ground. Why not make a shelter dog’s day better with your old “junk”.