Dr Katrina continues delivering her sound advice about safe puppy play.
Last month, we discussed choosing safe toys for your pup and increasing the bond between you and your pooch when playing. This month, we’re going to talk about teaching critical behaviours to set your pup up for life. As fun as playtime is, your pup must learn to be happy when its toy is taken away. You can teach this by always offering a treat in exchange for the toy. Your puppy will drop the toy for the treat and will quickly learn that giving up a toy is not a bad thing as it is rewarded with something yummy.
You can also practise trading toys with your puppy to teach it that giving up a toy is not disappointing. While your pup has a toy, show it that you have another toy and as your pup looks at you, throw the second toy. Your puppy will drop the toy it already has to go after the new toy and at the same time you can pick up that toy. Do this enthusiastically several times and your puppy will soon understand the value of trading. Toys that store food are a great way to keep your puppy entertained when you’re not playing with it. These can also be used to teach your puppy what is appropriate to chew on (instead of your furniture and shoes) and can help teach your puppy to enjoy spending time alone. The act of chewing helps to settle a puppy and you should offer it something safe to chew each time it is left alone.
The new KONG Puppy Tyre is an extension of the most popular KONG Classic Puppy line. It is made from KONG’s exclusive puppy rubber formula, which has been specifically designed to ease teething gums. It has a stuffable inner track to create a mental challenge for puppies while teaching correct chewing habits. For a greater challenge, you can stuff the Puppy Tyre with food and freeze overnight.
Remember, rotate your toys regularly to keep things interesting and put toys away at the end of a play session so your puppy does not get the chance to tire of them.
For more information, visit kongcompany.com.
This article was originally published in PETS issue 56. Subscribe to the magazine here.
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