How to occupy a smart dog
Every dog, big or small, young or old, has basic needs: food, drink, be safe, protected from the weather, and of course being in a group. It is often forgotten that apart from these basic needs, there are other needs, just as essential to the well-being of our dog. Regardless of race, age, lineage, or individual preferences that generate slight variations in the expression of needs, all dogs except for medical reasons, need to have between 3 and 5 hours of activities per day. Here are the most important ones:
The chewing activity: chew, chew, chew, eat …. 5 minutes to 2 hours, there are possibilities!!
Chewing is very important for the dog and at several levels. Firstly, the mechanical action of chewing (bones, dental rope, special toys for your teeth, food …) helps maintain a good oral hygiene, limiting the formation of scale on the gums. Besides soothing physiological level, chewing allows the dog to expend energy intelligently, reproducing a natural activity. In addition, the 8th week in late adolescence (between 6 months for small breeds and up to two years for large), an increase of chewing activity is needed to help the sometimes very painful transition between milk teeth and adult teeth. Chewing is also done through the ingestion of food and time is unfortunately too short. We went from a sequence of predation and hunting. This can take several hours to a time of spontaneous and immediate meals that do not meet the needs of the dog. Fortunately, there are several interactive products that significantly increase the time foraging and ingestion, thereby providing a sound and intelligent dog activity.
First idea: change the maximum objects that can be chewed, give in some during the week, others during the weekend, alternating.
2nd idea: replace its food treats during training, two to three times per day, between 5 and 10 minutes maximum.
3rd idea: Increase meal time dog through games (search croquettes), interactive bowls, toys ….
In the next article we will discuss physical activity and intellectual activity.
Anne-Lise Paul, TSA, canine behaviourist and feline
“All about the psychology of the dog,” Joel Dehasse
“AIICA, modules 1-5, canine component”, 2012, Richard Beaudet
“Canine Behavior Training” 2010 Jean Lessard
Read part 2 of this article here…
