Working from home with a dog

Activities To Keep Your Dog Distracted While You Work From Home

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Working from home can present some challenges, especially when working from home with dogs! Today we’re sharing some of our favorite activities to keep your dog distracted while you work. 

Before shopping with Amazon and Chewy, we do recommend first checking with locally owned retailers like ChowHound or Fido and Stitch to see if they have any of the items below available for purchase – both retailers offer curbside pickup! 

Frozen Kongs

Frozen Kongs are a fantastic way to keep your pup entertained when they’ve earned a special treat. Our favorite way to use kongs for daycare pups is by adding a bit of kibble into the kong, and sealing it off with some dog-safe peanut butter, and popping it in the freezer. But you can always add your dog’s favorite treats instead and seal off with any pet friendly ingredient like pumpkin, peanut butter, or banana. 

Food Puzzles

We cannot say enough about how much we love food puzzles and snuffle mats. Let your dog earn their lunch by working to retrieve their kibble from any dog puzzle (we love this one from Chewy). If your dog is on a diet, these toy puzzles from Zippy Paws are another great option! 

 

Another great option is to use at-home items to create your own puzzle for dogs. If you have an old cardboard box lying around, fill it with miscellaneous items (like clothing, paper products, etc) and scatter some treats in the box as well for your dog to sniff out. Just be sure the items you use are large enough that your dog won’t accidentally eat them! 

Introduce a New Toy

What dog doesn’t love a new toy? Keep your dog distracted with something new and exciting to focus on with a new toy that you know they’ll love (just maybe pick one that doesn’t involve a lot of action on your part ;)). You may even start the process of rotating their toys rather than giving them access to all their toys at once, or playing “Hide and Seek” with your dog by asking them to seek out their favorite toy while you work.

Practice Your “Place” Command

Training is a wonderful way to keep your dog busy, but it often involves a lot of engagement on your part as well. Working on a “Place” command, or “Down/Stay” for duration is a good solution to working your dog without requiring too much on your part. Just be sure to keep treats or toys (whatever you use as a reward) close by.

Crate Them

Crate training isn’t just for puppies, and you can absolutely crate your dog while you’re at home. If your dog is already crate trained, then crating them while you work at home should be a breeze (in fact, it’s probably good to maintain your work routine now, so the transition is easier when it comes time to return to the office). If your dog isn’t crate trained yet, but you want to start now, check out this video.

 

If all else fails, embrace the chaos. Distraction isn’t always a bad thing, especially because when you work from home you are more likely to work more hours – that’s because your work is always close by. Feel free to take a fifteen minute break and toss the ball around with your pup, or head out for a quick walk around the neighborhood. Who knows, that break may even increase your productivity and allow you to complete your work more efficiently while your dog(s) snoozes nearby.

Dogs and Children

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Help your dogs and children build safe and lasting bonds.

We are so excited to host two special workshops, presented by A Dog’s Life GR, to help you build a foundation for great relationships between your dogs and children. 

Nikki Koning KPA-CTP, FPPE West MI’s only licensed Family Paws Parent Educator will be presenting two different workshops geared towards dogs, infants, and toddlers, at our Ada daycare location. If you are interested in one, or both workshops, please register here.

Event Details

Dogs and Storks

“Whether you’re currently expecting, have recently given birth, or are planning to expand your family soon, welcoming a baby home is an exciting and busy time. This 90 minute workshop will give you the tools and information needed to help the transition go smoothly while building a strong and loving bond between your dog and baby.”

Dogs and Toddlers

“Toddlers are busy, noisy and curious bundles of love! This important developmental stage can be confusing for your dog. In this 90 minute workshop, we’ll help you address challenges with fun and practical solutions that set the stage for lasting harmony.”

Please note that while we love dogs, these events are human-friendly only and dogs will not be permitted to attend. We will have snacks and samples from Furniture City Creamery and Beer City Dog Biscuits, as well as goodie bags with more exciting things to bring home.

Cost is $35 per person or $65 for two people. If you would like to register for our Dog’s & Storks Workshop on February 24 as well, the cost for both is $65 per person or $125 for two people just be sure to select the correct option when registering. Register today at A Dog’s Life GR.

If you are unable to attend, but would like to be notified of any future events, be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

Your Dog Needs Rest At Daycare

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People aren’t the only ones who need rest, your dog needs rest too! Doggie daycare is meant to alleviate boredom, and provide a good source of exercise and safe socialization for your dog but rest and recovery play a significant role in their overall health and happiness when your pup goes home with you after a day of play. Keep on reading to find out why it’s important your dog rests at daycare.

First, it’s important to know that “rest” doesn’t necessarily equate to “sleep.”

 

Mental stimulation for dogs is just as important as physical exercise, as it alleviates boredom and provides an outlet for dogs during “down time.” Dogs that do not get the appropriate amount of mental stimulation will find their own ways to occupy their time. 

It’s also important to remember that dogs were developed for a purpose. Being aware of a dogs breed (or what breeds they are mixed with) will give you a clue as to how much mental stimulation they need to be fulfilled when it comes to mental exercise. 

At Nature of the Dog, we prioritize mental stimulation as well as physical exercise. This means that during your dog’s rest time (typically around lunchtime for us), they also have the opportunity to work with Kongs stuffed with healthy treats, work on some basic obedience, and interact one on one with staff. Taking a break from physical exercise and romping around with other dogs in a play group gives your pup the opportunity to work the other parts of their body for a completely stimulating experience.

Allowing your dog to rest at daycare also ensures they stay physically healthy.

 

Your dog needs rest at daycare because it allows their muscles to relax, preventing injuries. Many working dog handlers utilize rest days, or active rest days in their dog’s schedule because “working out produces micro-tears to the muscles and soft tissues. It is AFTER the workout that your dog’s body will repair and rebuild the muscles.” (source)  And while doggie daycare is a different beast than the routine of a working dog, the idea behind physical fitness is the same. 

The amount of physical exercise needed is also different for each dog. Dogs that are older, have health problems, or dogs that are overstimulated easily may require less, or different types of physical activity than running or playing. For dogs like this, this is typically where we will utilize our large, fenced in yard so that dogs that have these limitations can still be outside, roaming off leash in a safe environment. The difference is that they aren’t running laps around the yard, or jumping and playing with other dogs. Instead, they are sniffing around the trees, watching the ducks, and enjoying a mentally stimulating environment.

We make it a top priority to always put your dog’s safety and wellbeing above all else at Nature of the Dog, so it’s common your pup will spend the lunch period in a large kennel for some R&R and enrichment. Would you like your dog to have a completely enriching experience at daycare? Contact us today to learn more about our service and schedule a meet and greet.

5 Doggie Daycare Myths: Busted!

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Sending your beloved pup to a daycare or boarding facility for the first time can be scary! In the Grand Rapids area, we’re lucky to have several options for doggie daycare or boarding (and even walking!) but how do you know if any of these services are right for your dog? Finding (and choosing) the best daycare option for your precious pooch can be difficult – especially when there are a few common myths floating around that may deter you from taking advantage of these services.

Below are some common myths about doggie daycare and boarding services. (Note: We cannot guarantee that the things below will never occur at other facilities)

 

Myth: Daycare will expose my dog to diseases

As with anything, it’s important to thoroughly research your daycare and boarding options. A reputable business will require that all dogs in attendance are up to date on all necessary vaccines and tests.

At Nature of the Dog we require the following: Rabies, Distemper, Bordetella, Canine Influenza, and a Negative Fecal Exam (within the last six months)

Myth: My dog won’t be watched at daycare

The safety of our clients and their pets is always our top priority. When any group of dogs are together there is always at least one person outside with them monitoring group play and acting as a referee to keep play time flowing smoothly. In the event of an emergency, multiple team members are close by and available to assist as needed.

Myth: Big dogs and small dogs shouldn’t play together

While we do not allow certain dogs to play together, we base our decisions on group play time entirely on each dog’s personality and play history. 

Myth: My dog will play with other dogs all day

This one may be a bummer for your pup, but the dogs that attend our daycare program do not play all day. Extensive play can result in injury and we want to ensure each dog leaves at the end of the day just as healthy as they were when they arrived.

That doesn’t mean they don’t play a lot though – our dogs get at least two rounds of play time in before and after lunch, enrichment activities when they are kenneled, and enjoy some rest and quiet time during lunch hours.

Myth: Doggie Daycare is a good option for any dog

Our daycare program is meant to be a safe and fun environment for your dog to engage in group play, enrichment activities, and exercise, unfortunately a daycare environment isn’t right for all dogs. 

We assess all dogs that attend our program carefully and try to adapt our daycare environment to benefit each dog as much as possible. If you are questioning whether our daycare program might be right for your dog contact us here to schedule a meet and greet.

Are you considering doggie daycare in Grand Rapids? Contact us today, or visit us on Facebook to check out the reviews and recommendations from current clients!

 

What To Do When A Dog Attacks

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Article taken from: https://positively.com/animal-advocacy/dog-bite-prevention/what-to-do-when-a-dog-attacks/

What To Do When A Dog Attacks

When_dog_attacks_FeaturedEven though dog bites are relatively common, full-blown attacks are not. It is important to know, however, what to do in the unlikely event an attack happens.


What type of behavior do dogs normally exhibit before attacking?
There is no one size fits all when it comes to the signals a dog gives before attacking, and while the signs of aggression such as growling, snarling, baring teeth and lunging are easy to read, there can also be signs that are so subtle, such as a moment of tension or a small freeze, they are easily missed.


What do I do if I find myself in a situation with a dog that is aggressing towards me?

  • Avoid eye contact
  • Turn your body slowly to the side
  • Cross your arms
  • Completely ignore the dog
  • Be still for a short period then move slowly away
  • Try to get to a place where there is a barrier between you and the dog.

If that does not work, what do I do?

  • Stay completely still.
  • Without shouting, calmly ask someone nearby to help.
  • If you are in the ground slowly curl into a ball on your knees with your hands clasped behind your neck protecting your head and throat.

Should I try to be friendly with the dog, talking to it in a soft voice?

  • Completely ignore the dog. The more boring you are, the less likely he is to attack.
  • The more you attempt to communicate the greater the chances are of provocation.

Is spraying pepper spray in a dog’s face a good idea?

  • If the dog is not yet attacking you, spraying him with pepper spray might be the trigger for an explosion. As always, treating aggression with aggression only makes things worse.

What do I do if the dog lunges at me and begins to bite?

  • Find a barrier that you can put between you and the dog – a purse, rolled-up jacket or a stick and try to redirect the dog’s bites onto that item.
  • Find higher ground and try to move to a position of height away from the dog. It is much harder for him to bite effectively from below.
  • Try not to scream as this could antagonize the dog further.
  • Cover the dog’s head with a shirt or blanket so that he cannot see. If you block his eyesight for a moment, it might provide you a window to escape.
  • In the very rare event a dog is viciously mauling you (as opposed to just trying to bite or landing a few scattered bites), curl up into a ball on the ground, protecting your head and neck while waiting for help. If you are all alone, you are unlikely to get the dog off you by yourself until the dog loses interest.
  • Try as best you can to not scream or otherwise antagonize the dog further.

If a dog is attacking you, is hitting it with a stick a good idea?

  • Hitting the dog will only heighten the dog’s already sky-high level of adrenaline and energy. Try to act as calmly as possible. If you are witnessing a fight you can end it by covering the dog’s head with a blanket, jacket or shirt. Blocking a dog’s vision will normally cause the dog to disengage.

Related Reading:

– See more at: https://positively.com/animal-advocacy/dog-bite-prevention/what-to-do-when-a-dog-attacks/#sthash.b8I1BGHQ.dpuf

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