Category Archives: play with your dog

Record warmth?

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active_red_sideHere in the Chicago area and in other parts of the country, we’re supposed to be getting near-record warmth this weekend! 60 degrees Fahrenheit! The last couple of years we were in the middle of the polar vortex in December, so this is incredible. Aside from just enjoying not having to wear so many layers, not wear boots – maybe just wear a sweatshirt over a T-shirt and jeans, this is an excellent opportunity to go outside and play with your dog. Forget about Christmas shopping! Run around and be a fool! Throw a ball. Take a walk! Don’t worry about slipping on the ice! I’m planning on throwing Booker’s toy in the back yard until his tongue hangs out. Maybe do some training outside. Tango needs some distraction training for his rally – we’ll see if we can walk down the street with his attention on me, not the kid across the street! And maybe I’ll play with Booker in the front of the house as well as the back – more distractions there so I can try to hold his attention on his toy and me!

Whatever you do, go outside and take advantage of this incredible weather. Thank you, El Nino! We’ll take it!

“Fran on Friday” – Play with your dog!

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Hi – Fran here! Hope suggested that I name my Friday posts. OK – Done!

060313_bkrplayI’m really surprised at how many people who own dogs don’t know how to play with them. They think that watching their dogs play with toys qualifies as playing with their dogs. Not in most trainers’ books. Dog trainers, and people who have a solid bond with their dogs, know that playing with their dogs actually does strengthen the relationship with them. In our training classes playing between exercises helps to keep the dog engaged which produces better attention and focus on the work. In agility class play keeps the dog’s energy up. With some dogs rewarding only with treats slows a dog down.

How to play? Tug, play fetch, or chase your dog! Get down on the floor and have fun!

That’s me in the picture playing with Booker. He’s a fierce tugger when he’s not at class. I’m working on play at class, but he’s so distracted by everything around him that he can’t even focus on the toy he loved at home 20 minutes earlier. So at class I’ll try asking him to perform play-like behaviors such as jumping up, dancing on his hind legs then lying down. And I’ll try putting a really yummy, stinky treat in a sock or something else that has a loose weave and tugging. A work in progress. We’ll get it one day.