What to do with your dog during Covid-19 lockdown

What are your lockdown goals?

Because, let’s face it, it seems like another country wide lockdown is imminent.  Sigh

My goal is to get fit like Linda Hamilton did for Terminator 2 - although since declaring that goal I’ve binged on junk food and eaten at a few cafes even though I haven’t been that hungry. 

You know how it is, you go in for a quick coffee and then realize you probably won’t get to eat your fave meal for at least another few months so you add that to the order even though you’re still full from breakfast. 

If you’re not sure what to do with your dog during this lockdown,

please check out the video below which I made during the last New Zealand lockdown because all of these activities still apply when it comes to raising a calm and well behaved dog - no matter how old they are.

In the video I discuss the fact that due to lockdown and our lack of ability to socialize, your dog may not be the life of the party, but that’s not the end of the world. 

Because they’ll be spending so much time with you, you have the opportunity to make sure they’ll be really well trained and they will absolutely adore you.

Train your puppy 

I encourage you to train your puppy to Watch, Sit, Leave It, Wait & Come. 

All command training starts in the home anyway, so now is the perfect time to start.

When you’re allowed outside again your pup will know that they should listen to you and how to respond when they hear your commands.

You will have the best trained dog in history!

Go for daily walks

If your puppy isn’t fully vaccinated, carry them around or sit in your car with the windows down so they can take in all the glorious sights, smells and sounds.

If they are fully vaccinated, change up the route and the surface they’re walking on. Go over bridges, walk on concrete, on grass, tiles & lino. Weave in and out of trees, walk up and down curbs because this helps them to figure out their balance, core strength and body awareness. 

Handle your puppy a lot

Regularly handle your puppy so they’re comfortable having their feet and tails held, their ears and mouths looked in and so they’re happy to be groomed. 

Make heaps of noise

Your puppy is being raised in the quietest time of world history so you need to prepare them for life after lockdown.  

Use your household appliances, bang on pots and pans, find different noises on youtube and pair these noises with a reward so you help your pup build up a positive association to noise.

Play inside games with your puppy

Playing games with your puppy helps to keep them stimulated, entertained and out of mischief.

I dive in deeper to these topics in the video below.

And if you just want to give your brain a break from all the covid related worry and stress, why not paint, photograph, draw or create a sculpture of your gorgeous puppy!!!

Check out this gorgeous online dog art exhibition for inspiration.

Credit: https://toryfolliard.com/current-exhibition/the-dog-show

Do you find that puppy parenting is proving to be more challenging than you anticipated?

Is your adorable bundle of fluff acting like a bit of a maniac at times?

Are they:

·         Refusing to sleep in?

·         Jumping up on you?

·         Destroying all your favourite things?

·         Chewing your hands, feet, and clothes?

·         Peeing and pooping all over your house?

Then check out "The Calm Puppy," a 5-part program designed to transform your energetic puppy into a well-behaved and delightful companion