#doghearted

Activities

Treadmill:

Running can be wonderful exercise and keeps you healthy as well as provides the freedom of running without actually having to navigate terrain! Dogs need plenty of exercise and walking/running will always be beneficial!

Simon says:

Specifically the game of repeating back a series of colors! Mental stimulation is so important for dogs and what better way than to memorize and repeat? They game can be bought at stores or online but any memory game is good for you

Training:

Set reminders on your phone for certain commands or watch a dog training video! You could also have a silent video with occasional squeaker or clicker sounds and do a task or command when you hear it (ie: pick up some trash and throw it out, drink water, sit, stand, etc!)

On that note, practice delayed gratification, an important skill every dog must face. This keeps dogs and owners safe when needing to prepare for uncomfortable situations and staying grounded, it's also good for preventing resource guarding! Take a moment before doing or eating something, allowing yourself to focus on staying there in the moment. Once the time is up, you can go for it! Increase the time gradually!! Dont wait too long through, patience is important but so is a warm meal

Obstacle course:

Whether you're an active Aussie or show breed prepping for that blue ribbon, an obstacle course is sure to be a fine source of exercise and enrichment! Setting up cones or other objects on the floor and maneuvering through and around them, putting a broom on some boxes and leaping over, or even just going to the park or gym and giving yourself a structured path and timing can be enough to feel the wind in your fur or the adoring cheer of the crowd

Enrichment (food)

Lick cups:

Add some yogurt, peanut butter, pumpkin puree, apple sauce, or a creamy broth to a container and freeze! Licking is a wonderful way to enrich and keep busy, as well as having a very calming or soothing effect. While a small sauce cup works, another option is a silicone mold or cupcake liner!

Note: I've tried this before with some plastic sauce cups, it's better to line the sides of whatever you're using, and very helpful of the mixture is thicker. Adding some peanut butter to some yogurt helped!

Licorice root:

Rawhides can be damaging or indigestible so these alternatives can help clean teeth and provide the sensation of chewing! They can be flavored as well but some folks aren't a fan of the natural or added flavors

Snuffle mat:

Sniffing is a dogs best friend, pop some beef treats, cereal, or anything with a strong smell and let that nose go to work!

Lick mat:

Whether you're craving savory or sweet, a lick mat can bring you some dedicated enjoyment without the long wait time! Used frozen or not, plenty of combos to choose from! Yogurt with granola and honey, gravy and bacon bits, peanut butter and chocolate chips. The possibilities are as endless as your taste buds allow!

Bonus: ice cube trays work as a slow feeder as well!

Treats

Savory:

Beef/chicken/salmon jerky

Cheese

Bacon

Chicken biscuits

Wheat thins

Savory baby food

Carrot

Celery

Biscuits

Large pretzel sticks

Corn nuts

Chickpeas

Sweet:

Freeze dried yogurt

Yogurt covered pretzels

Freeze dried marshmallows

Dry cereal

Homemade dog treats

Banana

Scooby snacks

Oreos

Rice puff rolls

Sweet baby food

Baby snacks (puffed rice, yogurt melts, etc)

Cookie dough bites

Freeze dried fruit

Caramel popcorn

Frozen cannoli

Supplements and meal toppers

Protein powder/shakes

Olive/seed oils

Unflavored bone broth powder

Pea protein powder

Bee pollen

Seed blends (flax, chia, pumpkin, sunflower, etc)

Bacon bits

Crunchy tortilla strips

Cashews/peanuts

Freeze dried egg yolks