WIN Tools for Positive Dog Training #HoundsAndHolidays
Having positively and well trained dogs is kind of like wearing pants. You probably shouldn’t go out in public without them. I believe so strongly in the importance and value in developing a positive working relationship with your dog, I don’t view it as an option, I view it as a necessity. It’s a contract that you should plan on signing with your dog as your commitment to their happiness and health. By continually engaging in positive training throughout your time with your dog, you help to give them a sense of consistency, comfort, enrichment and reward. It helps to enhance your relationship with each other and your trust in each other.
This week, I’ll be posting specifically about training recall and I’ll be providing you with an opportunity to win some interactive puzzles that will be great to use when it’s too gross outside so you have to find ways to entertain and engage your pup indoors. It’s an incredibly important skill to train for safety reasons but also for fun like playing games with your dog, and even participating in activities like agility and hunting.
In the meantime, let’s talk about how some of the items in the Training prize pack for our #HoundsAndHolidays Holiday Gift Guide and Giveaway can help you achieve your training goals and, equally as important, have a BLAST with each other!
Ruffwear Roamer Leash
Leash work is an important subject that we will most certainly be addressing in the future. It’s never fun to be on the receiving end of the quip (normally from a total stranger) of “Who’s walking whom?!” As they chuckle “ayukayukayuk” and bound down the sidewalk in their judgey pants. You want to view the leash as an extension of yourself that helps to ensure your dog’s safety. Not a tool to wield control.
The Ruffwear Roamer Leash is pretty amazing. Aside from the typical traits of items which is, of course, incredibly high quality and thoughtfully crafted products it is also a great representation of that “extension” of each other. The leash has stretch webbing, which provides some give without being a retractable leash. It helps to reduce tension on you and your dog and allows your dog to safely roam without being jolted back. Additionally, if you plan on wrapping the leash around your waist to go for a jog or hike, the webbing helps your abdomen from not being pulled uncomfortably at the sighting of an occasional squirrel. It’s the leash equivalent of “give and take.”
American Dog
Play is important for training in so many ways. Dogs, like many animals, use play to understand how to communicate with each other, how to develop a variety of skills, even how to share. It should come as no surprise then that toys help play to be even more engaging and enriching. We are always on the lookout for different types of toys that enhance our dog’s play experience. I also continually seek well-made toys that can sustain the wear and tear of two very energetic Boston Terriers. I never expected them to be so destructive!
We fell in love with the incredibly creative, funny and well made toys that American Dog offers! We were able to receive and play with the Lips and the Chili Pepper. You’ll notice they also have a goat, a turtle, a pig, a fish and so many more to choose from.
If you win this prize, you’ll receive tons of toys from American Dog that your dog will thoroughly enjoy. You’ll be happy to know that their toys are manufactured in the United States and are super durable.
Kong
The name Kong has been associated with durable toys for what seems like forever. If you pull up the wish list for any animal rescue organization like Best Friends Animal Sanctuary (the rescue organization that will be receiving donations from many of the generous brands participating in our Holiday Gift Guide), and you’ll notice “classic Kong” listed as a desirable item. Their toys are always in demand because they can provide enrichment and can withstand the heavy chewer without falling apart. The Classic Kong can be used as a treat dispenser, or can be filled with frozen banana or peanut butter to keep a dog entertained for long periods of time.
Kong recently added to their toy lineup by including Squeezz toys. These toys squeak when squeezed and help to satisfy a dog’s natural desire to chew. You have a chance at winning Squeezz Zoo toys if you are chosen for this prize pack. It’s comprised of cute zoo animals that come in a variety of bright colors and sizes. It’s guaranteed to continue to squeak even when the squeaker is punctured so I’m sure it will entertain your dogs for a long time to come.
Soda Pup
We heard of Soda Pup when researching dog brands that frequently donate to animal rescue organizations and shelters. We found out that Soda Pup regularly ships their factory seconds, toys that have slight cosmetic blips but are still perfectly useable, to animal shelters. We reached out to them to ask if they’d provide a donation to our local shelter when we heard of them over the summer. They promptly shipped an entire crate of toys to the pups at our local shelter. I am still blown away by their generosity.
