Mental Stimulation

[ladyjubilee]

It is hot. Way too hot to be out and about. We normally try to train outside, play fetch or go to the park. Not exactly extreme sports by any stretch, but ways to keep Bramble active. But it's really hot and we (human family) can't be out in the heat for long.

Do you know any good inside mental games to combat boredom?

[Dutchringgirl]

I know there are some balls you can put treats in and let them bat it around ( make sure the ball has two holes). there are some things you can build, look on youtube, its a three bottle thingy they can get treats out of.

[Dutchringgirl]

I know there are some balls you can put treats in and let them bat it around ( make sure the ball has two holes). there are some things you can build, look on youtube, its a three bottle thingy they can get treats out of.

[Tim91118]

Don’t need a lot of space to teach the heal position.

[ladyjubilee]

It just need some level of talent on my part for it!

Seriously, I've been breaking up heel training into smaller increments, like 5 minutes at time, and while I haven't been doing a tight competition heel, and have seen I'll improvement. I also, I have to admit, got her a Halti for when we go out where there are other dogs. I don't know that it is helping her, but it at least makes me feel more confident and I don't tense on the leash so badly.

Her down has become very solid though she does go front to back instead of back to front. Recall is still good, though I only practice it when I'm in a place to enforce it (which isn't during her most challenging times.)

She did bring out her Kong today and we've also been playing the peanut shuffle where she has to figure out which hand and only touch the hand that encloses the treat.

[Dutchringgirl]

I only practice it when I'm in a place to enforce it (which isn't during her most challenging times.)

THIS ^^^^^^

This is the ONLY time you should be training. If you cant enforce it , dont train. Have a game plan, plan ahead. so lets say, you are only going to do One down. So have your rewards be handy somewhere, if treats, have them in your pockets at all times. When its quiet for one minute, down, reward, go so what you have to do.

[ladyjubilee]

I did mix in using the toy to get a tight heel. I think I might try using a different command for that position. For our day to day work it is just the wrong position (for instance while I'm pushing the stroller having her head so close to my leg just wouldn't work. Plus if sight is part of how she is sending migraines her eyes would be on the wrong person.) But I can see where it would be useful. The toy did get her all the way up, though she works more for praise and belly rubs.

[borellar15]

Pretty much all training is good mental stimulation. As Tim said keep working on that heel. Go to a wall in your house and heel back and forth on it working on keeping it tight and getting that focus. Also do some rear end awareness stuff (spins are fun) and just keep going through positions(sit, down, stand, heel, spin etc). Even a good long down stay is going to mentally stimulate your dog as they focus on the fact that they have to stay there.

[ladyjubilee]

That's a great idea. One of my dogs was able to find my keys and car on command. A useful skill

[Dutchringgirl]

That's a great idea. One of my dogs was able to find my keys and car on command. A useful skill

at one of the carnivals there is usually a police officer with his K9, (GSD) and they always do a key search, people eat that up !!!