As our schedules are changing with so many of us working from home, I bet your dogs are starting to get a little antsy. Their routines are changing, too, and that can have a big effect on them. When a dog’s routine is changed dramatically, they can become anxious, whiny, clingy, and destructive.
To help our dogs maintain normalcy during the changes that COVID-19 has brought, try to give your dog’s day some structure. Go on your usual walks, give them time to decompress in their kennel, and provide some extra mental stimulation by playing games, teaching tricks, or offering treats or toys that take some time to figure out.
At Copper Ridge Dog Training, we love filling a Kong with some wet dog food, put it in the freezer for about an hour, and then let your dog enjoy. You could also fill the Kong with peanut butter, but freezing the food prolongs the time it takes the dog to work on this task. This can easily keep your dog’s energy focused in a healthy way for long stretches of time. Just make sure that you are using healthy food that compliments their normal diet!