“Camp” activities to do with your dog
Camping is traditionally a lot of fun, no matter what time of year that you decide to go – whether it’s going to one of Rustenburg’s nature reserves or your own backyard… The mornings are fresh and the nights are cool… that’s how you can tell winter in Rustenburg. Pets, just like you and I enjoy having some peace of mind at a place far away from home. No one wants a frustrated pet, take it with you whenever you go on holiday to give it a life.
This is the right time to bond with your pet, encourage skills, and set a few rules. If you and your dog enjoy off-leash parks, traveling and outdoor activities, dog camp is for you! Be active and give dog camp a whirl! With the assistance of the Rustenburg SPCA inspector Levi, this article will help you connect with your dog.
Walk! What better way is there for you and your four legged companion to spend time together and get healthy at the same time? Dogs have a natural migration instinct and need to go on daily walks to be mentally sound. One interesting thing you may pick up from your dog while walking is that, no matter how strange the place, your dog will be making a pee all the way, and this is his/her way to mark the routine you took, hence it’s most unlikely for you to get lost.
Your dog should enjoy playing with as well as be neutral towards other dogs and people. It’s important for them to be able to read clues from other dogs and to tolerate crowds faster, and to be comfortable around other pets. Teach him to share toys and possibly cabin space. Firm, basic obedience skills such as ‘sit, stay, coming when called’ are vital for off-leash game and other activities. Good manners help everyone relax. Playing with your dog shouldn’t just be for fun, make sure your dog benefits from every task it engages in.
Games that excise our beloved friend’s brain are most important as they encourage lovable, active, clever, and alert fur cover friends.
There are cool toys that will challenge your dog’s mind, one of the more popular ones is the “Buster Cube,” a plastic cube that releases a pellet of food, every third or fourth time the cube is rolled over. This does not only limit the amount of food released, but trains the dog to know the number of times it should roll it’s container for the food to be released. Most camping sites encourage us to keep the environment clean, this container will help your dog to clean up all the foods that has been dropped as they are limited and will not be wasted.
Would you rather spend your precious time at a camp under a wonderful tree reading the same book you read at home than to put it down for a change and play hoops with your dog? Teaching him different games isn’t rocket science, and he’ll be grateful for the chance. Fill in a container with stones and rocks and introduce your dog to the basket and the ball, and drop the ball into the container numerous times, while saying “drop.” Give the ball to your dog, then bring him closer to the container, then tell him to “Drop”, repeat the word “drop” until he drops the ball into the container. Immediately praise him either gently rubbing his neck or giving him a small healthy treat. You’ll have to duplicate this routine several times before he can connect to the reward and the action. When the connection is made, roll or throw the ball to him and watch him doggie-dunk it!
Some games need extreme caution and supervision. Dogs like playing tug-of-war, but it is significant not to let the game get out of hand. Dogs are hunters by instinct; the game reminds them of catching prey, and for this reason, it is hence important to stop the game once it starts to appear too serious. If your dog starts to take winning seriously, it’s time to play a less competitive game. Be cautious in choosing the material you’ll play with. Don’t use your clothing, even if your dog is still a puppy as he’ll associate your clothing with the game, which will lead you to winding up with holes on your clothes. Clothes could also be a hazard if they shred easily as our friend could swallow the pieces. Your best bet is to play using a rope that has been specifically designed as a dog toy.
Playing with your dog not only keeps him happy and healthy; it forges a special bond between you and your pet.
Article: Tshireletso Malapile