HOME ‘WORKOUTS’ FOR DOGS

Dogs love to work their noses so, for starters, a little sniff-based fun can go a long way.

One of the easiest games is the classic “search”. So, grab a few treats (Not too many. Remember to count these as part of their daily allowance), let your dog see one and then hide it behind a chair or under a cushion and say “search!” Your canine companion will soon catch onto the game and be snuffling away.

If you have a safe and secure outdoor space, you could play a similar game outside too. Perhaps hiding the treats under a flower pot or behind a garden chair.

Then there’s Scatter Feeding. Instead of giving your dog their dinner in a bowl, scatter it across the garden or house and let them work for it.

This can act as a great boredom buster, especially for dogs who like to hoover up their food really quickly.

If your dog is a bit of a digger, then why not make a DIY dig box.

All you need is a cardboard box filled with scrunched-up paper and a few hidden treats which will keep paws busy and tails wagging.

You can spend some time on those indoor trick sessions too.

Try teaching your dog to give a paw or tidy up their toys. Not only is it fun to watch, it also keeps their brain busy and buzzing.

Try at least one of these home ‘workout’ activities on a regular basis, alongside walks, and you will be keeping your dog mentally and physically active - an easy, but effective way to avoid boredom and strengthen that human-animal bond.

Tell us how you get on with these activities and share a pic. We’d love to hear from you.