Activities For Small Dogs In The House
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Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
Small dogs often don't know they are tiny. They have the hearts of big dogs. The sheer spirit of the tiny furry munchkin makes the pooch believe that they can do anything. Little dogs will often play right alongside large canines. In some circumstances, the tiny dog is even more outgoing than their larger counterparts. Owners are always aware of their tiny dog's size so it is perfectly normal to seek out easy indoor activities that fit their animal's diminutive size, but still thrill the little animal. Encouraging a small dog to participate in games indoors will also help keep the pet trim and healthy.
Clean The House
Most Popular
1 Vote
Any Day
Cheap
Easy
30 min
Items needed
basket
toys
treats
Activity description
Being cooped up indoors is not fun for your small dog. The chances are good that your clever canine regularly visits the toy box and spreads the items all around the house. It is not uncommon when you share your home with a dog to be stepping on squeaky toys, chews, and stuffies throughout the day. You have probably accepted the fact that you have to pick up the toys every day but what if your little fur buddy could help you? Well, it is not that far-fetched. You can not only teach your pooch to pick up the pet's own toys but also make it a fun daily activity.
Step
1
Show the toy
Walk your little dog over to the toy that is laying on the floor. Encourage your little buddy to pick up the toy. You can do this with a playful attitude. Once the pooch grabs up the toys, offer ample praise.
Step
2
Basket filling
Hold out the basket and encourage your little dog to drop the toy into the basket. This should all be fun and exciting. Once your dog plops the toy into the basket, lavish praise on your pooch and bestow your helpful pet with a yummy treat.
Step
3
Next toy
Move on the to the next toy. Call your little dog over. Show your dog the toy and the basket. It usually only takes about three tries, and your small fur buddy will know exactly what you want and that once they perform the request it will result in a tasty morsel. This can be a daily activity that is fun for both of you and also helps you clean your home.
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Name Game
Popular
1 Vote
Any Day
Free
Normal
15 min
Items needed
Toys
Treats
Activity description
All dogs can learn human words. Many dogs have a vocabulary of over 100 or more words. Little dogs are especially smart and love to please, so why not make a game out of teaching your dog a bunch of words? It is fun for both you and your pooch. You might be amazed at just how many words your dog picks up with consistent work and praise. Pretty soon you will be able to tell your small canine exactly what you want them to find or pick up, and your dog will run to undertake the task to please you.
Step
1
Show it and name it
Hold the toy up to show it to the dog and name it. Say the toy's name over and over again. You can even play with your dog while saying the toy's name so that your canine associates the word with the toy.
Step
2
Throw it
Throw the toy if your dog will retrieve, and then tell your smart pup to go get the item using the toy's specific name. This is a great association task. When your dog brings the toy to you, thank them, using the toy's handle.
Step
3
Toy names and the basket pick up
At this step you can incorporate the 'Clean the House' activity with the 'Name Game'. If your dog knows to go pick up its toys and put them in the basket then start using the toys names each time the dog picks up the item.
Step
4
Name the toy
If you think that your dog has the various names of the toys memorized, then it is time to check out if your pooch truly understands what you are saying. Tell your little canine to go grab a specific toy. If your dog runs over to the right toy, then you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they understand the word, the item, and what you want. This is a great game that you can build on by adding new items to enlarge your dog's vocabulary.
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Indoor Obstacle Course
Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Cheap
Easy
30 min
Items needed
Pillows
Boxes
Treats
Blankets
Activity description
Little dogs often run fast through the house in excitement and play; why not spice things up a bit by placing a few obstacles around? You can use blankets, boxes, and pillows to create fun pathways and jumps. At first, your pooch might not know what to do with the new design layout in the room but remember that it is all about making it fun, so encourage your pup with your uplifting voice, ample praise, and lots of treats. Pretty soon your tiny dog will be having a blast running around and through the obstacle course with your encouragement.
Step
1
Lay out the course
You aren't going to need a lot of room for a tiny dog obstacle course. Lay out the course using boxes, pillows and blankets. Hide treats and toys around the blankets, pillows, and boxes so that your dog can sniff them out. Your canine pal will probably really go crazy with excitement when the first treat is uncovered.
Step
2
Show your dog the steps
Bring your pooch into the room. Your dog will probably wonder what is going on but go ahead, walk them through the ropes and show your little buddy the obstacles. You can use treats to encourage your little doggy how to jump over the pillows and around the blankets. Don't hesitate to get on the floor with your dog.
Step
3
Treat hunt
Now that your munchkin has the obstacle course down, it is time to start encouraging your dog to sniff around in search of possible treats or even toys. Be sure to praise your pooch every time a find is made.
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More Fun Ideas...
Sandbox Fun
This can get a bit messy, but for a tiny dog, it is manageable. Dogs like to dig, even small pooches, so why not create a sandbox for your pooch? Purchase children's sand that is specially made for sandboxes because it is clean and sterile. Fill a small, shallow pan with the sand. Hide tiny toys like balls or chews into the sand. Now, let your pal dig and find the treasure. Yes, the sand might fly out of the box but if you put it in a bathroom or tiled location, the cleanup is relatively easy. Your pooch will have a blast digging and you can sweep up the mess. It is a great way to bring a bit of the indoors into the house on a cold, wintery day.
Doggy Treat Hunt
The doggy treat hunt keeps your little dog guessing. Hide some treats in the covers of your bed or under throw rugs in your home. It is like your pooch's very own indoor Easter egg hunt. Most dogs love to use their noses to find objects and a tasty treat will definitely get your four-legged buddy moving. It is a good game to play together. You can offer words of encouragement and even give your pet hints by calling them over close to the hidden item and telling them to, 'find it'. Most dogs thrive at this activity.
Conclusion
Small dogs often live in apartments or they simply cannot handle cold winter days; many tiny pups spend the majority of their lives indoors. Living in the confines of a home has its pluses but it is also a bit boring if you don't focus on spicing up your pooch's life with a bevy of indoor activities. Playing with your pet will also encourage them to exercise, and that way, they will not start packing on the pounds due to a sedentary lifestyle. Fun games are also a great way to bond with your pet and create lasting memories together. There is no reason to go outdoors if the weather is inclement when there are plenty of fun doggy games to enjoy indoors.