I think Zak is bored

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Sumac3890

Forums Sage
I need some good indoor games for him that do not always include treats. I came home today and he had taken the pillow case off the pillow in his crate and it was ripped down one side and chewed in some places.
I have had to take most all his stuffed toys away since he will chew off pieces and eat it. I have had kongs in the past but he can chew gouges in them even the black one.
 
I can't remember how old Zak is, however if he's gouging a black kong, he must be a supreme chewer. I can identify somewhat, as Snap is also a "fabric specialist". Snap loves ice and when I leave him alone, I will leave a bowl full of it.

Indoor games:

o fetch (with a tennis ball, kong, soft frisbee, stuffed toy, or fleece rope)
o chase (with a laser pointer)
o Find me (dog in a sit / down / stay... you hide around the corner or in the next room,etc. and call the dog to come find you).
o tug (with a fleece or rope toy).
o obedience / flatwork
o tricks with a clicker !! (spins, roll over, moves through your legs, sit like a gentleman, etc)

When learning with the clicker, you should be using rewards; however, the games can become rewards requiring no treats.

Others surely have other suggestions !
 
Kathrine thanks for the great ideas... I think some of his laziness this week was lack of food. He was recovering on Chicken and rice from a tummy upset and two days back on his regular food and he back up to himself. I do play hide and seek, it is a good one to get him to do a long stay. Zak will be 7 months on the 7th of May. He LOVES crushed ice I can give to him by the bowl full. LOL
 
Katherine those are all great recommendations... I just wanted to say if you can avoid it, don't use a laser pointer. Some dogs can get obsessive compulsive with it. To the point where they won't eat or drink water.

I used to use one with Bailey was when she was 3 months old and I couldn't take her for walks because she didn't have all her shots yet. She didn't get to the point where she wouldn't eat or drink, but she would sit in my room for 10-20 minutes waiting for the light to come back. She also developed light and shadow chasing because of it. If any type of metal, mirror or object reflects a light or shadow, she will chase it. She used to follow my chihuahua all around the house because her metal dog tag reflected a light onto our wood floor. So, now my chihuahua doesn't wear a collar.
 
take4roll10 said:
Katherine those are all great recommendations... I just wanted to say if you can avoid it, don't use a laser pointer. Some dogs can get obsessive compulsive with it. To the point where they won't eat or drink water.
Click to expand...

I've heard that's possible, too. We actually recently went to a friend's house and her dachshund would obsess over just one little reflection. It could be off of someone's watch, her own tag, etc...They attribute it to their prior use of laser pointers before they realized what it was doing.
 
Maggie had a problem when she was a puppy with chasing images like that and invisable bugs she had to be on pheno for about a month but luckily it went away but she will get worked up easily with a flash light, eye glasses that reflect in a certian light or a watch. It can be a terrible obssesion. When she would have these moments I could not destract her with any thing.
 
My dog's favourite game is the treasure hunt - yes it involves treats but not so many. Just hide a few around the house and off they go to look for it. You can also do it with their breakfast kibble - that way they are occupied for a good half hour eating breakfast. In summer they get to search for the kibble scattered outside.

Since Mr D is on a diet I have had to cut back the treats. So the past month I have been putting a piece of dried lamb in a sock, tying a knot in the end and they go look for it and bring it to me. Had to trade a treat to begin with to get them to bring the sock but now they have the idea. Just have to make sure i hide the sock away when we are finished because I now have a few socks with holes in them (trying to get the lamb out).

Good thing about these games is they go off on their own and I can get some peace for a while.
 
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