4 Alternatives to Walking your Dog

Dogs who do not receive enough exercise are more likely to act inappropriately. Bad habits include leaping on humans, biting things that aren’t meant to be chewed, digging holes, clawing, and barking or whining too much.

There are a few things you can do to make sure that your dog is exercised enough on a daily basis so that he or she is too worn out to act inappropriately. When you don’t feel up to taking your dog on regular walks, here are four alternatives you may try to assist your dog in burning off extra energy. 

 

Play games with your dogs

There are many different games you can play with your dog at home. One of our favorites is scent work. You can assist your dog to hone in on their inherent abilities by playing nose work games with them, and it’s also a simple method to keep them engaged. 

 

Nose work: In order to begin the game, you will need to ensure that your dog remains in the specified place. While he is watching you, walk to the other end of the room and put some food or his favorite toy there for him to find.  Before your dog starts looking for a hidden snack, you will create an association between certain words or phrases and behaviors that remind the dog of the food or a treat. Tell your dog to “find it” or “search” when you are ready to free him from his confinement. Be sure to praise your dog after each successful search round to reinforce the “search!” in his mind.  After a few demonstrations, he will be aware of what is expected of him.

 

You may go on to more difficult exercises after it seems that your dog understands the “find it” command. While your dog is in the remaining posture, move the reward or toy out of his line of sight so that you may retrieve it later.

 

During this particular search activity, the goal is to progressively expand to new places and distances as you go. When you are just getting started, it is best to confine the game to one or two rooms. If you are certain that your dog understands the “find it” command, it is time to go on to the next level, which consists of hiding objects about the home.

 

The following are some of the advantages of training your dog nose work:

 

  • Dogs like doing nose work since it’s both entertaining and rewarding.
  • Enjoyable activity that will provide your dog with increased brain stimulation
  • Building your dog’s confidence via nose work
  • Provides your dog with more opportunities for physical stimulation
  • It provides your dog with healthy activities to engage in.
  • Simple activities that can help you form a stronger relationship with your dog

 

Involve other owners and their dogstwo dogs playing in a field, one dog with tongue hanging out and the other prancing

Many dogs love to be in the company of other dogs and play with them (as long as they get along). They chase each other, jump, wrestle, and, in general, exhaust each other. Organize regular meetings with other owners or set up a regular date at the park to expand your dog’s circle of friends (and yours too). Just make sure that you follow the safety and etiquette rules for  your dog park.

 

Have your dog play in the grass

If you have a garden or park near your home, replace the dog walk with a play session. Most dogs love to play fetch, so why not start to fetch training? A ball launcher can make the game more fun for your dog and less tiring for you, as it allows you to shoot the ball much farther with almost no effort, much to the delight of your dog (and your arms).

 

Agility Dog Equipment is another way to get your dog to exercise and mentally stimulate him. You can build a path using objects you find at home, in the garage, or in DIY stores: an old hula hoop can become a ring to jump into, plastic pipes can be assembled to become obstacles, while pallets can be transformed into ramps or platforms. You can also purchase tunnels, plastic cones, or other gear at pet stores to complete your route. Many dogs, like the White husky, will definitely enjoy playing on the grass. 

 

Teach new commands

What commands does your dog know? 

“Sit” is one of the most fundamental commands to teach your dog, teaching them to sit is a terrific starting point. Dogs who aren’t taught the “Sit” command are going to be much more difficult to handle and will have a more restless demeanor than dogs that do know this easy order. In addition, teaching your dog the “Sit” command will prepare them for more difficult commands such as “Stay” and “Come.”  

 

The word “come” is another vital command for you to teach your dog and should be practiced often. This order is especially useful for those occasions if you find yourself unable to maintain your grasp on the leash. It can be taught easily and will be of great use in preventing mischief with your dog.

 

“Stay” is a command that is very helpful in preventing your dog from putting himself in harm’s way. With the command “stay” you can train your dog to ignore one object in exchange for a higher reward which is essential.

 

In conclusion

Walking your dog is great exercise and bonding for both of you, but it can be monotonous and occasionally it is good to get out of the usual routine. Sometimes , you might not be free to go for a walk or you need an alternative to get your dog exercise without going for a walk, I hope you find the tips in this article helpful.

Guest Author: Pet expert Emma has spent 12 years following her passion for animals as a writer and editor in the pet industry. Her expertise includes dog and cat health, care, nutrition, feeding, grooming, behavior, and training.

 

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Money- Saving Tips for Pet Owners

tan dog lying on dog bed under a blanket staring at camera

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In America, 67 percent of people keep a pet. This isn’t surprising because being a fur parent comes with many advantages: companionship, stress reduction, and even improved health benefits.

 

But as a responsible pet owner, you must also invest a lot of time and money into looking after your furry friends. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, pet owners spend more than $1000 on their pets annually. But how can we make the best decisions for our pets without breaking the bank? Here are some suggestions for saving money on your pet’s care.

 

Adopting Instead Of Buying

Buying an animal from a pet store or breeder is almost always more expensive than adopting one. According to Bechewy, purchasing a pet may easily cost you anywhere from $500 to $1000 or more, while adopting a pet can set you back just $50 to $350. The price variation for adoption is due to the organization’s different policies. For some organizations, vaccinations, spay/neuter, and occasionally a microchip are often included in the adoption fee. So, research carefully and partner with organizations you trust. The best part of adoption is that you’re not only saving money, but also saving a beloved pet’s life.

 

Buying Just Enough Pet Food

It should be no surprise that purchasing pet food in bulk will save you several bucks. Buying a larger bag saves you money per pound, especially when you buy from online vendors. However, these savings are useless if the food spoils! Think seriously about how much your pet consumes weekly or monthly before getting pulled into the temptation of bulk discounts. Also consider that a husky’s appetite differs significantly from that of a pug. Tracking your pet’s daily consumption and comparing it to the expiration date on the food is a simple yet effective budgeting hack. Ultimately, you’ll get the biggest savings without wasting food and money.

 

Grooming At Home

Bathing and grooming your pet may be daunting, especially when it comes to nail clipping, cleaning their ears, and brushing their teeth. For example, you don’t want to trim their nails too short or accidentally snip your cat’s whiskers. It is, nevertheless, possible with the right tools, products, and training. Enroll in a low-cost grooming class, consult with your veterinarian and groomer, research your particular breed of animal required, and practice. That way, you’re learning a new, valuable skill and spending more time with your pet.

 

DIY-ing Toys And Treats

You don’t have to buy items for your pet all the time. Instead, save some money by making toys with items you already have. Do you have a sock that’s missing its match? Fill a sock with packing paper to make a sock toy for your cat. What about that shipping pallet that you never threw out? Make a customized doggie bed out of it. Many DIY home improvement projects for your pets can help you save money, too. Plus, you can make a tasty dog-friendly trail mix treat for your pup with leftovers in the fridge. 

 

Taking Care Of Your Pet’s Health

You may think skipping your yearly vet check or a month’s flea treatment will save you money, but it will most certainly cost you more in the long run. Investing in your dog or cat’s health and well-being is certainly more cost-effective. This means sticking to a regular exercise routine, feeding your pet nutritious food, and keeping up with immunizations and yearly health checks. Taking your pet’s health seriously will help you avoid potentially astronomical expenses in the future. 

 

Couponing And More

Do you use coupons when you go shopping for your pet? Knowing how and when to use discount coupons is a great money-saving tip. To get coupons for your pet, just go to your favorite pet food brand’s website and sign up for their mailing list or “like” their social media page. You’re likely to receive discount coupons for your first order or your pet’s birthday. Present them to the cashier or use them in your online checkout when you make a purchase. Additionally, search for coupons affixed to your pet’s food bags. You can also purchase in bulk at your local discount store for maximum savings, compare prices online before shopping, or join a low-cost subscription program.

 

Final thoughts

Having a pet should be both enjoyable and stress-free. But it doesn’t mean always choosing the cheapest product and services out there. Aim to strike a balance between quality and affordability. Finding that balance will pave the way for you to become more financially stable.

 

Balancing quality and budgeting applies to adopting pets, buying pet food, grooming, toys and treats, and pet health care. Use this principle even when you’re going out of town by choosing an expert pet sitter. Contact Whiskers to Tails Pet Sitting for reliable pet sitting and save 10% on your first transaction.

 

Guest Author: Sophia Young recently quit a non-writing job to finally be able to tell stories and paint the world through her words. She loves talking about fashion and weddings and travel, but she can also easily whip up a thousand-word article about the latest marketing and business trends, finance-related topics, or even a nice heart-warming article about family life. She can go from fashion guru to your friendly neighborhood cat lady with mean budgeting skills and home tips real quick.

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