| I was having a conversation with a friend of mine | | | | time the Cube is rolled over. |
| and I thought I would quickly send this out to | | | | 3. Small rituals done at the same time of day, |
| you, before I leave for the weekend. | | | | every day. For example; feeding time, grooming, |
| We were discussing how to keep your dog's mind | | | | walks, "cookie" time, car trips around town, etc... |
| stimulated. | | | | 4. Dogs like to work. Teach your dog to bring in |
| Remember: Bored dogs cause problems. If you | | | | the newspaper, carry mail back from the mailbox |
| don't keep your dog's mind stimulated, chances | | | | or to walk out with you when you take the trash |
| are that he'll find activities to stimulate his mind, | | | | out. (Whenever I go through the drive-thru |
| himself. And you won't like those activities. | | | | window at McDonald's, Forbes - my dog - gets to |
| A dog that is mentally stimulated on a daily basis | | | | carry the trash bag to the trash receptacle when |
| is a happy dog. And happy dogs don't cause dog | | | | we're finished. Sound silly, right? But the dog loves |
| problems. | | | | it!) |
| Here's a quick list of how to keep your dog | | | | 5. Do obedience training with your dog. Obedience |
| mentally stimulated: | | | | training requires your dog to use his brain and |
| 1. Exercise. Lots of exercise. If you can | | | | think. Knowing that he will be praised for making |
| incorporate exercise with another activity such as | | | | the right decision and corrected for making the |
| playing, "Find the ball," or doing some agility | | | | wrong decision (and allowed the opportunity to |
| exercises, then that's even better. | | | | make the right decision again) instills a sense of |
| 2. Brain teaser toys. I'll be adding some of these | | | | responsibility in your dog and demands that he |
| to our web site store, later next week. There are | | | | use his noggin. Remember: Dogs are bred to |
| a number of cool toys that actually challenge your | | | | work. They've been blessed with super-human |
| dog's mind. For example, one of the more popular | | | | instincts and drives and they need an outlet for |
| ones is the "Buster Cube," a plastic cube that | | | | those drives. |
| releases a pellet of food, every third or fourth | | | | That's all for now, folks! |