Consent.
This is something I think about a lot. We control so much of our dog's lives, including when they exercise, eat, sleep and play.
One thing that has been made very clear from day one with Cricket is that autonomy of her body is really important to her.
I've made it a priority to work on cooperative care, so that she can say no in an appropriate way, while keeping both of us safe.
In this video, she consents to being brushed by putting her chin in my hand. If she doesn't put her chin in my hand or were to walk away, I would wait for her to come back, or just end the session.
She has gone from a dog that couldn't be brushed, to tolerating it and knowing she can opt out if she's really not in the right head space that day.
I don't walk my dog everyday 😱
BUT I still make sure she gets enough exercise and stimulation.
This video shows Cricket playing hide and seek with a toy I've hidden. She's certainly getting her steps in and very much having to use her brain.
(Video is sped up, but she also can go this speed 😂).
When you're home sick, but a border collie doesn't understand rest 😂
My little guilty confession is that I've not worked on getting Cricket in and out of a crate much. We just pop her in at night and she curls up no problem, but I want her to have more autonomy, so we're working on that.
What little games do you make up to play with your dog?
Obstacle course all set up for the final puppy class of this round.
What do you call a jellyfish with no tentacles?
One of Cricket's toys 🙄
When you can't be arsed going outside to play, but you have a border collie...
And in my final post of how genetics influence behaviour...this one doesn't really need an explanation 😅
Following on from the post about genetics the other day, here's a video of Cricket doing one of her favourite things she was bred to do - running!
Cricket has a strong desire to run. When not given regular opportunities to do so, her behaviour at home turns to 💩.
Of course chasing is her absolute favourite thing, so we give her opportunities to do this too.
How do you meet your dog's genetic desires?
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Playing with your dog helps to build a relationship with them, exercise their brain and body, as well as just having a bit of fun.
How do you play with your dog?
