Back-to-School Tips for Families with Dogs, Part II
When children return to school, the stress on every family member can be huge--including the family dog. This abrupt change in routine can seriously affect our canine companions, who are creatures of habit. But with a little understanding and preparation before the first day of class, families can avoid many of the back-to-school behavior problems their dogs might exhibit.
Part II: Boredom
Dogs sleep a great deal during the day, but when they wake up, they want something to do. It doesn’t take much to entertain a dog, even when you’re not at home.
Scatter food: Dogs are natural foragers who love to look for food on the ground--and will literally spend hours doing so. Scatter a variety of foods (such as bits of raw vegetables and/or dog kibble) around the yard when you leave. (Note that some foods attract wasps. Avoid meats and sweet-tasting foods like apples.) You might even try hiding some treats so your dog spends time looking for them. And always provide lots of fresh, clean water to keep your dog well hydrated.
Build a digging pit: Dogs love to dig, so rather than trying to eliminate this natural instinct, control where they dig by building them their own special place. Build a digging pit (as you would a sandbox for a child), and teach your dog that it belongs to him. Bury his favorite chew toy or bits of cheese in the digging pit and when he digs them up, praise him lavishly. Very soon he will learn where to dig--and, more importantly, where not to dig.
Toys: Dogs love toys, but they can quickly get bored with them or destroy them. First, buy high-quality, virtually indestructible toys that your dog will always enjoy, such as those that hold treats like the Buster Cube and KONG. Second, every few days, rotate what toys are available to him. This gives your dog something new and fun to hold his interest.
--Carol Wood, Bark Busters
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Carol Wood is a dog behavioral therapist and trainer for Bark Busters Home Dog Training and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.
Thomas Green on August 19, 2008 at 04:51 PM
I have a 1+1/2yr old dachshund. I rescued him from a shelter. It is apparent he was mistreated and fled his home. Then he was attacked by other dogs and his belly ripped open. He obtained surgery and is now physically o.k.
The problem for me is his mental state. Usually refuses to eat most foods or snacks. Sleeps a lot as dogs do, nite and day. But he will not play. Will not chase or play with a ball; will not tear up a raggedy toy, etc. He is very affectionate but somewhat listless.
Any advice please??
Many thanks.
Tom
nathan on August 19, 2008 at 04:58 PM
Hmmm... I strongly disagree with these tips.
1) A pet dog has no actual need to dig and should NEVER be encouraged to do so. It only increases the chances of your dog getting in to trouble,
2) Encouraging a dog to seek food is a bad idea. Just like digging pits, this only encourages bad habits. If you feed your dog breakfast, he should not be hungry during the day - and you can provide entertainment via some treats in a Kong (which is NOT hidden) is sufficient.
Otherwise, if your dog seems to be destructive when you are gone, crate train it. Digging pits and hidden food are ludicrous.
The most important suggestion the author of this article left out: work out a roster where two different family members wake up 45 minutes earlier each day and take the dog for a morning walk/jog and some quality play time before the family disappears for the day - then put your dog in the crate.
jedboy1 on August 20, 2008 at 08:26 AM
I strongly disagree with the idea that you should scatter food around the yard so the dog can forage. This habit trains the dog to eat food she discovers on the sidewalk and in the street. She is actually being trained to eat garbage, animal carcases, small objects (she already chews on sticks). It also trains her to root around in underbrush looking for treasures, which is also a bad habit.
Do these comments show up anywhere in the blog? I'd hate to think that somebody actually took the advice without reading the objections.
KailinRileysMom on August 20, 2008 at 08:45 AM
I disagree with author on encouraging foraging for food. I had two spays poisoned when a (now convicted) rapist threw poisoned meat over fences all up and down an alley as he was after a woman
who lived on other side of alley. Luckily I saved my girls but most neighbors weren't so fortunate. As
a result, I retrained them to never take food without a safe word. The idea of my dogs foraging
around the yard scares me!
KailinRileysMom on August 20, 2008 at 08:46 AM
I disagree with author on encouraging foraging for food. I had two spays poisoned when a (now convicted) rapist threw poisoned meat over fences all up and down an alley as he was after a woman
who lived on other side of alley. Luckily I saved my girls but most neighbors weren't so fortunate. As
a result, I retrained them to never take food without a safe word. The idea of my dogs foraging
around the yard scares me!
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I disagree with author on encouraging foraging for food. I had two spays poisoned when a (now convicted) rapist threw poisoned meat over fences all up and down an alley as he was after a woman
who lived on other side of alley
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