Activities For Dogs After Seizure
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Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
If you have a dog that has suffered from a seizure, you know how scary it can be. Seizures are the result of neurological issues. They can be acute or chronic and can occur as a one off, randomly, or in sequence. Many medical problems which are evidenced by seizures respond well to treatment by an anti-convulsive medication. Though seizures may be a part of your dog's life, it doesn't mean that Buddy the dog can't continue to have fun. With some precautions in place to protect dogs who suffer from seizure episodes, the sky is the limit when comes to fun activities you can do with your dog!
Find It
Popular
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Any Day
Free
Normal
5 min
Items needed
An extremely yummy treat
Activity description
Whether a dog is young, old, or feeling poorly, one part of their body remains up to any task - their nose! Incorporating games into your dog's life which play on their strong scent detection capabilities are a great way to provide mental stimulation for them. Dogs who suffer from convulsions sometimes experience triggers which bring on an episode. For this reason, games that are shorter in duration but that provide maximum "fun" are a great way to help keep Buddy's brain active. When selecting a treat for Find It, be sure to choose something that your pup really loves to help motivate them to play the game. When it comes to this game, the more aromatic the food, the better, as it provides even greater incentive for your dog to use their nose. The beauty of Find It is, it can be customized for any dog. If your dog's nose isn't as keen as it once was, an especially smelly treat may help activate it. You will be surprised by how excited they will become when they detect the reward! Alternatively, if the game is too easy for your pal, and they are losing interest, you may opt for a treat with little to no fragrance or one that is tiny and thus more challenging to find.
Step
1
Pick their preference
Since finding the treat is the object of this game, Step 1 is the most important of all. Bearing in mind your dog's favorite things to eat, select a treat that is well-suited to a game of Find It. Best options include treats that do not disintegrate easily in a warm palm as well as ones that are bite-sized and fragrant. Pieces of tripe, tuna cake, or even cooked liver are excellent choices.
Step
2
Hide the treat
With your back to your dog, place the treat in one of your palms. Be sure that they don't see which one you have selected; otherwise, the game will be over very quickly! Once you have decided which hand is the lucky recipient of the treat, it is time to close your hands and set up the game for your dog to enjoy.
Step
3
Present the palm
With the treat firmly in your closed up hand, turn and face your dog and offer both hands to them. You can now issue a command such as "Find It." Your dog may use whatever means necessary to find their reward. Some dogs will paw at your hands while others prefer to give both palms a thorough sniff. Once your dog has correctly identified the location of the treat, open your hand and allow your dog to enjoy their reward. Always lavish them with praise for a job well done. This game can be repeated several times in one session.
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Name It
Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Free
Normal
5 - 10 min
Items needed
Treats
Clicker
Toys
Activity description
People often underestimate their dog's ability to learn. It has long been believed that dogs lacked the true ability to comprehend words, but this fun training exercise proves that theory wrong! Studies show that not only do dogs understand certain words, but they possess the capacity to learn up to 30 of them! Engaging your dog's brain is a great way to help keep them physically and emotionally satisfied. Many owners make the mistake of thinking that only a good long run or rousing round of fetch or tug will help their dogs feel contented. Exercising your dog's brain is also very tiring for your dog, and it is an important part of helping them to feel satisfied and content. Name It is a memory game that helps to keep your dog's brain sharp. By using a variety of their favorite toys as a tool, you can begin to teach them a name for each toy. You will be amazed at how quickly your dog will learn the "cue" for each of their beloved possessions. Then the real fun can begin when you toss them all back into their toy box and make use of their new vocabulary by asking them to bring you a specific one!
Step
1
Select the toys
Start your dog off easy by selecting three toys that you are going to "name." It is important to choose things that your dog really loves and is quite familiar with as a later step in the game will require them to be able to find the toys very easily when commanded to do so. If possible, choose toys that are varied in textures, colors, and sizes. You might choose a colorful ball, a rubber chew toy, and a stuffy to begin with.
Step
2
Name the toys
Select appropriate names for each of your chosen toys. Be sure to keep the names short and easy to remember for both you and Buddy. Consistency is key to learning. Once you have found names for each item, you can then begin to teach your pal each toy's "name."
Step
3
Teach the names
With Buddy sitting in front of you, hold out one of the toys. When they are looking at the toy, say "Buddy, (NAME)." When they look at the toy, click and treat them right away. Repeat this exercise up to five times. Then put the toy away and move on to the next. Repeat this process with the new toy. Once you have introduced the new toy, you can then go back to toy #1 and repeat the process again. Once each toy has been introduced two times, it is time to put the toys away as it is too easy to overtax your dog's brain and regress in their training. For best results, repeat this game three times weekly at the most. Over time, your dog will learn the names of their toys and get excited when you ask them to find one for you!
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Treat Tug o' War
Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Free
Normal
5 - 10 min
Items needed
Book
Medium Sized Sturdy Dog Treat
Yarn, ribbon, or string
Activity description
Dogs love to use their noses; it's one of the reasons you find them digging through your dirty laundry and exploring garbage on a dog walk. For dogs who suffer from seizures, engaging their brains in short bouts of concentration games can help build cognitive function and improve an overall sense of well-being. Treat Tug O'War is a fun game that allows your dog to be in full control. Best of all, they get a treat for all of their efforts. For this particular game, it is best to use a sturdy treat like a baked cookie. While you can use meat or an item like cheese, people food tends to break down easily and can leave stains on your flooring and books. This game is a bit like finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow for your dog. Who doesn't find it irresistible to yank on a string to find out what is on the end of it? It's a great way to engage your dog's mind in a fun pursuit. Treat Tug O'War also offers your dog a small amount of physical activity. It's just enough not to overtax a dog that needs rest and quiet but sufficient to get their body moving a little bit.
Step
1
Set up the string
Select the length of string you plan to use for the game. It should be sufficiently long enough to allow you to tie the treat to it and to extend over at least one foot of floor space. Too long, and you will lose your dog's interest; too short, and it isn't much fun for your dog. Once you have the correct length, you can then securely tie the treat to the string. Make sure it is tied well but don't do such a good job that your dog may incur an injury trying to get to their reward.
Step
2
Hide the treat
Once the treat has been tied to the string, it is time to hide the string. Make use of a book to place the treat under. You don't want anything too heavy as it may be difficult for your dog to lift, and it will crush the treat. Choose a book of moderate size and weight which will cover the treat well but not put your dog at risk for injury. Make certain that the treat is well-hidden, but the string is laid out in a line for your dog to see then pull on.
Step
3
Tug the treat
Once you have hidden the treat underneath the book and selectively arranged the string, you can let your dog explore. Most dogs cannot resist pulling on a string, so it is unlikely that you will need to do anything but supervise your pup while they play the game. If your dog does not seem to want to engage with the string, you may need to assist them by pointing it out. When your dog has successfully uncovered the treat, praise them and allow them to enjoy his reward. You may need to help with extricating the treat from the string. Take care to ensure your dog does not attempt to eat the string along with the treat.
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More Fun Ideas...
Catch the Treat
Why not grab some popcorn or some small bite-sized treats and test how good Buddy's reflexes are? With your dog seated in front of you, toss a piece of popcorn or treat into the air. Buddy will scramble to try to catch it. It takes very little time for your dog to catch on to this game, and dogs of all breeds and sizes love it! After all, what could be better than running after a treat?
Muffin Tin Shuffle
On a rainy day, there is nothing like a little brain game to help keep your companion feeling tip top! Grab a muffin tin and enough tennis balls to fill each of the openings. Select several different treats to fill in some of the holes, taking care to leave some open. Place the treats in the openings then cover each opening with a tennis ball. Place the tin on the floor and allow your dog to have some fun unearthing their treasures.
Conclusion
If your dog suffers from seizures, it doesn't have to mean that their days of exercise and fun have come to an end. With a little bit of research and ingenuity, your dogs best days could still be ahead of them. As with all dogs suffering from an illness or disease, moderation is key. Choose activities that allow a moderate amount of exercise while maximizing utilizing Buddy's brain power. Stimulating your pup's mental faculties is equally as important for their well-being. With such powerful scent detection capabilities, any game that involves using your dog's nose is bound to be a winner, and if treats are involved, all the better! Seizures don't have to keep a good dog down. Why not try one of these fun games with your dog today?