Activities For Dogs In Montana On Rainy Days

Even though the play date is an indoor activity, you want to make sure the dogs have plenty of space to run without knocking over items or running into anything dangerous. If you are hosting the play date, make sure to pick a spacious room like a great room or basement and clear out any lamps, tables or artwork that could get ruined. A playroom or garage is a great place to start.

You want to make sure you have plenty of interactive toys the dogs can play with together. Rope toys are excellent for playing tug-of-war and are hard to destroy. They usually stand up to some ferocious tugging. Balls they can chase and pounce on work well too. If your pup has a favorite stuffed animal, make sure to hide it away so that it won't get damaged during the romp. Toys that are made from sturdy materials like Montana-based West Paw Design's Zogoflex are an excellent choice for dog play dates.

Not only do Montana dog owners get to catch up with friends during these rainy day play dates, but they also get the bonus of watching their goofy dogs play. Though it's fun to watch them pounce and run and wrestle, there is also another reason to keep an eye on playing pooches. Sometimes dog play can get heated and turn into an argument. While it's a good idea to let them settle a small tiff on their own, you need to be there in case they escalate into more. Sometimes a fight over a ball can turn into a big vet bill, so it's important to notice their behavior and stop them before it gets out of hand.

The first thing you want to do it teach the command. It's best to use a favorite toy that has plenty of scent on it. Make them sit and stay then show your dog the toy and put it a little bit away from them. Tell them to "find it" and when they do, give them praise and a treat. Keep practicing by putting the toy a little farther away or hidden behind a chair, but let them watch you place the toy there. After several times you'll be ready to play.

Now that your dog knows the command, it's time to hide the toy out of their view. Start with an easy spot, maybe in the open on the other side of the room or partially sticking out from under a chair. When you are ready, bring them to the room and say "find it." Your dog should start using their nose to search for the toy. When they find it, give them lots of praise, let them play with it for a few minutes before you take it to hide it again.

When your dog starts finding the toy easily, start hiding it in more difficult places. Put it in a laundry basket they have to reach into, hide it in a different room, get creative. If your dog has a very sensitive nose, you can drag the toy along the floor to leave a scent trail for the dog. Get creative and have fun. The challenge of searching for the toy is the perfect way to tire out your dog on a rainy Montana Day.

Before you can start teaching your dog new tricks, they need to have a solid foundation in basic obedience. Learning how to "sit" "stay" "come" and "lay down" aren't just important commands to use in everyday life. Basic obedience teaches your dog how to learn and you how to lead. If you haven't yet, invest in a good dog training course, so you know how to work with your dog, and your dog learns to work with you.

Pick your first trick to work on. Find one that is right at your dog's ability level. If you've just finished basic obedience, then choose something more straightforward like "shake" or "high five." Whatever you choose, be sure to break it down into easy steps and give clear praise and direction. You want your dog to feel confident and easily move through each step without getting bored.

Take your time and don't train the trick for more than 30 minutes at a time. Depending on your dog and the difficulty of the trick, you could be ready to put on a show for friends and family before the rain stops and the sun comes out. After a few rainy day training sessions, you'll be able to put on a show for friends and family. Your dog will love the mental exercise and all the attention.