Exercise is one of the keys to a happy, healthy dog.

When we talk about exercise we often forget that our dog’s brain needs exercising as well as their body. Providing ‘brain activity’ or mental stimulation for your dog is a great way of keeping your dog  focused on you and well behaved when you are out. 

A bored dog can quickly become a naughty dog and that twice daily walk on or off the lead may just not be enough for your dog.

Think about how many things you have to think about in a day. What does your dog have to think about? What does he have to use his brain for? Whatever breed we have, they were all bred to work and we make life so easy for them by feeding regularly from a bowl. One of the ways you can provide mental stimulation for your dog is by hand feeding, or by making them ‘work’ for their food as part of a play/training activity. Exercise to us – yet a great fun activity for our dog!

The link below will take you to some ideas for hand feeding and other activities you can do with your dog around the home.

http://www.aadogtraining.co.uk/news/dog-activity-idea/

Building some ideas of mental activity for your dog also means if events occur and you can’t get your dog out and about so much you will have a ready-made activity list to keep him active. Short sharp bursts of concentration are best – your dog, like us, needs some down time too.

A tired dog is a happy well-behaved dog which makes a happy owner. A tired dog is one whose brain has been exercised as well as his body.

Sandra Lawton | Founder, AA Dog Training