Boredom

Here are some suggestions for keeping your canine friends entertained and out of mischief.

·      Buster Cube (available from good pet shops): This award-winning dog toy is a great distraction. Fill the toy with dry kibble. As your dog rolls it around on the ground, the kibble falls out from multiple compartments. This motivates your dog work for his food, keeping a brain-active dog busy for hours.

·          Scatter Feeding: Turn feeding into a treasure hunt. Scatter a variety of foods (such as whole carrots, celery, peas, broccoli, beans, apples, bananas and mushrooms) around the yard when you leave. This gives your dog something to forage for as well as some nutritious food to chew on (rather than your furniture). You can also scatter his dry food around the yard. Some items (especially raw, meaty bones or dried liver bits) can be hidden in a digging pit, such as a child’s sand pit. Be aware that wasps are attracted to raw meats left out in the open. If a dog is bitten on the tongue, the tongue could swell causing breathing difficulties.

·      Kong Toys: This durable rubber toy has a hollow center that can be stuffed with delectables like cheese, peanut butter, kibble or dried liver. Seal the ends with a biscuit to make it harder to get the goodies inside. Fill it with food then freeze to give your dog “Kongsicles” to enjoy.