Testing out some natural treats today... cow hooves filled with dog nuts and patΓ©, served frozen... these are great as the dogs can chew ans nibble on the hooves too... Needless to say they went down very well, especially on this wet day trying to keep all the doggo's entertained.
Side note: I also gave them to our two boys in the house, and the downside is that they stink π·, but seeing the boys love them made it worth it π
I was watching these two with a big smile on my face π the interaction was lovely to see, Brody dropping down to the same height and mirroring Elie was wonderful.
Mirroring movements and big dogs "handicapping" themselves are great examples of respectful play between dogs. These two had a ball β€οΈπΎ
Some mental exercise to replace the physical exercise in the midday heat... Cole enjoying his game of "find it"... treats hidden around the kennel run
It's really important not to physically exert your dog in the hot weather, particularly during the hottest part of the day. So how can they burn off their energy? Anything that involves using their brain will really help tire them out as well as being a great bonding tool for you and your dog.
This morning with Jack we focused on some simple reward based training... with the reward being him catching the ball rather instead of chasing to avoid too much running.
We followed this up by some time with the Kong wobbler, a great enrichment tool!
Why play isn't always important...
Yes it's great to see dogs running around and having the craic, but that isn't how it happens all the time... dogs are like humans and may take a while to get to know eachother.. some dogs will meet and just "click", others may take some time building a friendship with a new dog (who they see regularly). They all have different personalities and different ideas of fun.
Being social for your dog is also about just being comfortable with other dogs around them; sniffing, exploring and sharing the space.
Too much play can be overstimulating; natural behaviours like sniffing will help calm a dog down again.
Being around other dogs in a calm environment will also help boost their confidence. We're very mindful about which dogs we let be together, and for how long, ensuring the best experience for all involved.
Big paws, big heart β€οΈ
Our kennel reveal is finally here! We are immensely proud of what we have achieved, and we really hope this will be the best kennel experience your dog can have, ensuring they have as little stress as possible!
We have 4 kennels left to get ready, but this is the finish you can expect to see. Let us know what you think in the comments π
Lovely social interaction to watch between Rocco and Cassie πΎ
Our first kennel had very nearly finished its refurb... just the finishing touches to go once we've had a few guests stay! Here's a very quick sneak peak in the meantime π
Top tip!
Please remember that all treats are to be fed in moderation....