12 brilliant play ideas for you, for your dog, for great teams!
In 2016, Good Dog Practice is featuring a dog-friendly activity once a month, by courtesy of guest author, Monika Stanzig (IDBTS, certified by Sheila Harper).
These are not meant as tasks or training ideas. Rather, they are a way of sharing relaxed, quality time together. Your dog can gain confidence by doing problem-solving activities as independently as possible, while enjoying your support and attention. Just for fun!
Consistent with the values of Good Dog Practice, we feel that our dogs are not obliged to be interested, nor should they be pressured to complete a task. If they prefer to do something else or just rest, that’s just fine! Maybe another time! 🙂 A tip: many dogs take a pause from a problem-solving challenge and come back to it later. If the dog looks for your support, you can of course assist him or her.
(These activities are chosen with care, but come without guarantee for correctness or completeness. They are meant as quality-time activities. Please be present with your dog while he is doing them, also for safety reasons. Please note, we take no legal responsibility for any mishaps, damage or injury. All rights to text and photographs reserved.)
You will need:
– a small plastic bath or a bucket
– water
– a few dog biscuits or a toy
Here’s how to do it:
This game can involve spraying water around, so place the container outside. Fill it with water and place several biscuits on the surface.

… in with the water!
It’s best to use treats which neither dissolve immediately nor sink too deep.

The treats floating on the surface.
Wait for your dog to investigate the container and the water in it. He might like to fish out a biscuit. You can also float a waterproof toy.

Vendetta discovers the tasty treats.

Vendetta fishing the treats out of the water..

Mmmmh…that was delicious.
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