Tag Archives: play with your dog

One of those days…

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Fran on Friday

102513_bookertangoI didn’t think I’d have much going on today, so planned on doing a bunch of training, work on the websites… But then the phone started ringing. Not that I mind talking to our customers – I kind of like it! And our friend Lisa of Your Pet Chef came by to drop off food for the boys. And Tango was being so good – he’s usually kind of hostile to people who come to the shop. (He thinks everyone is going to steal HIS inventory!) So Lisa stayed for a bit and we chatted. I got one play session in this morning, thinking that things would settle down in the afternoon.

And then the mail carrier came. Booker always loves seeing Jose. Except that he brought two exchanges – neither of which were easy. And new inventory from one of our vendors. I like getting inventory in – that means we can sell it! And then it was past lunch time for the boys and me. During lunch the UPS driver came with 2 more packages. Well, good – more stuff to sell, and labels to print the postage on! And there was a problem with an invoice from a vendor, had to deal with that… And more phone calls from customers… And a customer came by to pick up his special order… And one of our trainers ask that I make a change to one of our websites… And where did the day go?

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.