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A Reader Asks…

My dogs like to run along when I ride my bike. I also have a puppy who loves to go to the park (not the dog park). She loves to slide down the toddler slides and will do it over and over and over (obviously you have to be careful of children and your pup leaping off the top of the slide so only use the littlest kids slide). They also love digging in the sand, so I usually bring a handful of treats and bury them for the dogs to find. So when we put these exercises together I come home with a very tired group of dogs.
I’ve can also get my dogs to go on scavenger hunts with me. I put them in their kennels and “trail” a treat (drag it along the floor) to a hiding spot somewhere in the house. I let them out and watch the race to the treat. Once they get good at the indoor search, we go outside and play the game in the yard, so they can really get some running around exercise. When they are able to find the treat I replace it with a few pieces of kibble. I still have to drag the treat to leave a scent trail, but placing the kibble in the hiding spot instead of a treat still gives them a reward, without me worrying about over-treating them. After some practice my pups can find a piece of kibble hidden in our back yard within minutes.
You just have to figure out what’s the most fun for you. You’re dog is going to enjoy spending time with you. You’re going to become dedicated and continue if it’s something that you really enjoy.