A dog's paw

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Games to play with your dog: FIND IT

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FIND IT!

Playing this game with our dog we will help him to "use his nose", it will provide mental stimulation, training commands and will make him happy for the treats and praises he will receive!

1. Ask your dog to sit and stay
2. Show him a treat
3. Move away from him and hide the treat - if it's the first time show him where are you "hiding" the treat
4. Ask him "find it" and praise him!

It is important to start slowly with easy steps or you will just confuse him.
The first times the dog should see where you are hiding the treat.
When he is used to the commands and the game, you can start hiding where he can't see the treat (beside a chair, in a corner and so on).
Make it always more difficult!
Hide the treat in another room, under a cushion or under a cup.

Obviously don't forget to praise him a lot when he can find the treat!
He will have a double satisfaction: the treat and your hugs!

I use to play this game quite a lot with my dog.
Especially when I am tired of fetch :D
Or when I see that he is too excited, this game helps him to calm down.
There is a routine, mental stimulation, self-control and he is busy and engaged in a rewarding activity!

The next step would be to teach our dogs to find other objects, not only treats.
Like the car keys for example :D
Never tried to be honest, what you think about that?

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Monday, August 19, 2013

Games to play with your dog: HIDE AND SEEK

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Another way to play and train your dog!
It's a very nice game and it is a great mental exercise!
I've seen that Jago not only needs to release his energies, but also to feel engaged in something more "mental".
And Hide and seek it's also good fun!!

Your dog should already know the command "stay".
1. Show a treat to your dog or his favorite toy
2. Ask him to "stay".
3. Go to another room and hide somewhere.
4. Call your dog and wait until he finds you!
5. When he finally finds you praise him a lot and give him the treat / toy.

My house is not big, so Jago know salready  all my secrete places :)
One of the first times he took a long time to find me, I was hiding in the wardrobe!!
It was so funny to see him looking around, sniffing in the room but not able to understand where I was!

A different variant is "find it", where you will hide some treats or toys..
I will write about it later!
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Sunday, August 18, 2013

Dog Walks - St. Catherine's Park

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*** UPDATE ***
Now there is an enclosed area in the park!
Finally also dogs with no recall can run free and socialize with their friends!
***************

Another beautiful dog walk where I bring Jago often is St. Catherine's Park.


It is a very nice and big park between Lucan and Leixlip.

In the main entrance there is a public car park with enough spaces and toilette.

The park is 200 acres and has many different areas.
In the southern part there is a "woodland walk" that Jago really loves.
And after running he loves to stop for a swim in the river.
In the northern part there are more open grass areas and sport pitches.
I never had problems leaving Jago running free, obviously taking care if there are kids / dog on leash and cleaning after him!
There is a "dog run", but to be honest is very small and not well maintained.

It's a nice place for running / rollerblading / cycling.
There are also all the fitness outdoor equipment!

St. Catherine's Park Opening times
November, December January 9am –5pm
February, March 9am –6pm

April 9am –7pm

May 9am –8pm

June, July, August, 9am –9pm

September 9am –8pm

October 9am –7pm


I am going there few times a week now. I am bringing my bike and Jago is running after me.
We always meet friendly dogs, it's a good opportunity for exercising and socializing!

I will add more photos of the woodland area soon!


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Agility show

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Watching some agility.. from far.. he wanted to jump in and go playing!


 




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Fun dog show!

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Going here today!
Fun dog Show & agility show in aid of Dogs Aid




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