May 2019 – BusyDoggie

Balance training in nature: sniff game on a tree trunk

I try to make use of the natural environment to get the dogs to practice things like body awareness and balance, and although Grace does her own practice on the edge of our sofa, it never hurts to do some deliberately. Here I’ve sprinkled some treats on top of a wide, mossy trunk which meansContinue reading “Balance training in nature: sniff game on a tree trunk”

Veggie taster board

I came across this silicone muffin mold in the cupboard this morning and I thought I would finally try doing a taster board for the dogs. A taster board is a basic form of mental enrichment where you put various foods on a plate/tray/muffin tin in front of your dog and observe what they doContinue reading “Veggie taster board”

Toy test: MyIntelligentPets Dog Sudoku

I bought the MyIntelligentPets Dog Sudoku a couple of weeks ago at the Animal Event but hadn’t had time to test it yet. Last night the little monkeys were particularly energetic despite a long walk with friends so I thought it was time. My Dog Sudoku is a part of the Travel Box which alsoContinue reading “Toy test: MyIntelligentPets Dog Sudoku”

A weekend of fun at the Animal Event

This post is a little bit late now but better now than not at all! A couple of weeks ago we bundled the dogs into our car and headed south to Tilburg for the 13th edition of Animal Event. We discovered it last year but too late to sign up for any workshops so thisContinue reading “A weekend of fun at the Animal Event”

Reset with sleep and slow games

Today is a low-key home day with lots of sleep to “reset” the dogs after a busy weekend. Our weekends are often filled with beach visits, trips to the garden centre and generally lots of activity for the dogs – in short, a ton of stressors because even a highly exciting trip to the beachContinue reading “Reset with sleep and slow games”

Toy test: grid snuffle mat

Today we tried one of the two unusual types of snuffle mats we bought at the Animla Event a couple of weeks ago. Result? It suits Grace very well because her sniffing style is (still) quite gentle but for Nell, who is more experienced it is a little bit too easy so it doesn’t keepContinue reading “Toy test: grid snuffle mat”

Multilevel “find-it” game indoors

View this post on Instagram A post shared by BusyDoggies (@busy_doggies) View this post on Instagram A post shared by BusyDoggies (@busy_doggies) View this post on Instagram A post shared by BusyDoggies (@busy_doggies)

Layering snuffle games

Round 1: snuffle mat (or similar) under a blanket View this post on Instagram A post shared by BusyDoggies (@busy_doggies) Round 2: Putting a blanket over a Bustermat View this post on Instagram A post shared by BusyDoggies (@busy_doggies)

Toy review: K9 Connectibles

View this post on Instagram A post shared by BusyDoggies (@busy_doggies) View this post on Instagram A post shared by BusyDoggies (@busy_doggies)

Thinking about choice

I’m a fan of giving dogs choice and have previously not quite understood nor agreed with people who say their dogs can’t handle choices. Reading this article, I understand a little better – or to be more accurate, I have a better grasp of the concept and vocabulary of choice, and where it is appropriate.Continue reading “Thinking about choice”