Winner x2! & what to do on a gloomy day...

Lets start with saying that today, Earl and I received a Clicker and opportunity for a free clicker training digital app by post! It turned out that I had WON the 'Clickety Dog' Competition from Dogs Today Magazine!! We also received sparkly dog tag because it turns out I had WON the tag competition!! Wooow!! I have decided however, to use the tag as a key-rin instead for me, because 3 entire tags would be a lot for a little dog to carry round his neck!

In the pretty box!

Here's a little bit what it would have looked like on Earl :)

And the Clickety Dog Prize...

The Clicker

Earl responded well to the Clicker training taster he received. He was stimulated and excited for something new! Earl will not be Clicker trained fully, however, it will be used for fun activities to stimulate him and give him something new to think about and respond to.

The Clicker is a clever way to train.

Yay!

Now... the weather for winter has finally swept in! And its proving difficult for owners to still get out there as much to enjoy outside with their dogs... however, there is plenty to enjoy and get on with in the not so nice weather, as Earl and I prove...

Step 1 - Train in obedience and heelwork around the rooms in your house. Try something new with your dog, and see how he responds. This will stimulate him and get him used to new challenges thrown his way.

Here, Earl does some heel work. I have just told him to come to my front, then to 'watch me'.

Here, I have just told Earl to come, and then told him a sharp 'wait' at the marker I have set down for him. This comes up in the Good Citizen Dog Scheme Gold Test.

Step 2 - Set up a homemade stimulating game! Here, I have set up 3 cups which Earl cannot see through. At first, I show him I am putting a treat under one cup, then tip the cup and allow him to get it. Now place the cup down and let him push it over to get the treat. Don't do this for him, unless he gets fed up and walks away, or else he will not learn nor be stimulated to his full potential. Instead, wait until he accomplishes task. He will build confidence, tire his brain and mind by thinking, and learn what to do. Now make him wait in another room or behind some furniture - where he can't see you or the cups or treats. Now put a treat under 1 cup, move back a pace and call him back into the game. He will not have to sniff out which cup the treat is hidden under, THEN move the cup to access the treat!

Set up some cups and let your dog familiarise with them so he can comfortably touch them and physically interact with them.

Here, I have just called Earl back into the game so he can discover the hidden treats.

Trying to push over a cup he suspects holds food.

At first, let your dog see and take the treat you place under the cup.

When your dog reveals a treat, you can use a clicker to click at it.

Step 3 - Have a game of SAF! This is basically SAR turned into a less serious Search and Find! For this, simply make your dog go 'down' in one room, then go and hide a high value treat or favourite toy somewhere else in the house (so in a different room). Then return to your dog, praise lightly for the good down wait (if he has performed a good one and stayed put - if he hasn't or has moved, correct this, and exit the room again for 5 seconds. Then return), and say 'find (here, sat the toys name, if it has one, like I told Earl to find 'Ragster' as that it the name he knows it by) or simply say 'find'. If your dog doesn't know the command 'find', start training it NOW! You must start somewhere if you want to progress into a result. Praise when your dog finds object, and if its a toy, have a play, if its food, just a lot of praise. 

After leaving your dog in a solid wait in another room, hide one of the dog's belongings in a separate area.

Return to your dog and release him - now watch him be stimulated by going to find!

The thrill your dog will posses when he finds the object will put a smile on your face. 

Now praise, reward and play!

Step 4 - Just wrap up warm, get out there and play! But lightly. No intense sprinting when its wet on the floor. Neither your dog, or you!

It doesn't have to be boring when its wet!

Earl doesn't care what the weather!

Your dog can still burn calories and exercise when its a gloomy, wet day, but not intensely, as this could cause problems.

Take some beautiful photos of your dog in the wet.

Slow down and make a change to your normal fetch games... introduce your dog to new, complex, and uneven surfaces as long as you dry them down first to prevent slipping. This builds up him muscles, builds his body awareness, and stables him.

Performing 'go round'.

A bit of running isn't harmful. Your dog still needs to exercise and as long as its not intense and you are able to steady him if needed (Earl knows that 'steady' means slow down). 

Earl is completely happy doing something a bit different on a different day!

Give your dog a reason to bark and pump that adrenaline!

On a spin!

A photoshoot, as he jumps down for a photoshoot!

Step 5 - Have a gentle walkies time. Please avoid venturing into woodland or parkland areas as your dog could pick up Seasonal Canine Illness (SCI).

Leaves leaves leaves on a walk which avoids dense wooded areas.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with street walks, especially on days like this!

Autumnal walks are one of the perks for dogs and owners when the leaves fall and the weather becomes cooler. Today was a milder day today however, but when its really cold, Earl will wear his high-vis, reflective, and fleecy padded undercoat coat so you should invest in one for your dog too.

Step 6 and final step - Get cosy, dog and owner! Be warm, and be tired out from your day of activities! We hope many dogs and owners will have a day of the same activities we have had. It has been a lovely day... maybe not as planned, as it was to wet to set up a proper awareness course like we were going to do, but still a really nice day. Try it. There's still a lot you could try and fit in, like playing to 'toy name game', and baking doggy biscuits and other homemade bakes. Make the most of it, and really enjoy your time with your dog. Put the fire on, your feet up, his or her paws up, chew some bones (your dog!!!) eat soem chocolate, and follow our gloomy day plan!

Ahhh... what a delightful day.

Chewing a nice chew toy will start and finish a day off nicely.

And remember, whatever the weather, whether the weather does this, or that...

... everyday, every hour, every minute, every second, and below that even. They really don't mind what you choose to do with them as long as your a kind owner who loves them to bits and gives them all they require to live healthy and happy lives with you. 

Earl and I.