The Weekly High Five 🐾

One Quick Win 🙏 One Video to Watch 👀 One Post I Loved

Hey Reader,
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Cold weather is settling in, which means shorter walks and more indoor time. If your dog is getting bored and restless, you need activities that tire them out mentally without requiring much space or setup.
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This week, I'm sharing a simple indoor enrichment game that works wonders, teaching you how to stop your dog from stealing everything in sight, and celebrating the pure joy dogs show when it's walk time.

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One Quick Win 🙏

This week's Quick Win focuses on "The Muffin Tin Game":

1. Grab a standard 12 cup muffin tin and place a few treats or pieces of kibble in random cups.
2. Cover each cup with a tennis ball or crumpled paper.
3. Let your dog figure out how to remove the balls to get the treats underneath.
4. Start with just 3 or 4 cups covered, then increase difficulty as they get better.
5. Switch up which cups have treats to keep them guessing.

This game provides serious mental stimulation in just 5 to 10 minutes. Dogs have to use their nose, paws, and problem solving skills to uncover the treats. It's perfect for cold or rainy days when outdoor exercise is limited. A mentally tired dog is just as calm as a physically tired one.

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One Video To Watch 👀

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Is your dog constantly stealing socks, food, or anything they can get their paws on? In this week's essential video, I reveal the three proven tips to stop the stealing for good, and why chasing them makes it worse!

Learn the trading technique that actually works, discover how to teach a reliable leave it command in minutes, and find out why managing your environment is your biggest shortcut.
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If you've been playing the catch me game with your dog, this video will change everything. Spoiler: sometimes giving the item back is the secret to making it boring.

One Social Post I Loved 🧡

This week's joyful post is a montage of owners asking their dogs if they want to go for a walk, and the dogs absolutely losing their minds with excitement! The spins, the jumps, the tail wags, the happy screams.
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I love this because it's a reminder of the pure joy our dogs get from simple things like walks with us. Even on days when we're tired or it's cold outside, seeing that level of excitement makes it all worth it. Our dogs don't need fancy adventures. They just want time with us doing what they love most.

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October brings colder weather and more indoor time, which means we need to get creative about keeping our dogs mentally stimulated and out of trouble. Indoor enrichment games prevent boredom that leads to stealing, while training solid skills like leave it gives you tools to manage the inevitable moments when they grab something they shouldn't.
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And through it all, our dogs remind us that the simplest activities, like a walk around the block, can bring the most joy.

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Questions about indoor enrichment, stopping stealing behavior, or managing cold weather exercise? Send me a message. I love helping families adapt to seasonal changes!

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Here's to mentally tired dogs and joyful walks!

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Pam,
CPDT-KA
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PS. Need personalized help with boredom behaviors or indoor enrichment strategies? Let's work together, virtually or in person! >>>> Click here to book your Free Call with Me​
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