Taco ‘Bout Training Tuesdays: Keeping Occupied

Training Tip #1

It’s Taco Tuesday and you’re just getting ready to make some delicious homemade tacos. If your dog is pestering you while you’re making tacos, ask yourself what you want them to do while you’re making tacos, and teach them how to do that instead.

For example: lying or sitting quietly on their favourite mat, enjoying a stuffed Kong or chew stick, playing with a puzzle game, etc. Reprimands and punishments don’t tell your dog what they should be doing, they just make your dog even more sad that they can’t have your tacos. Taco Tuesday can be a happy time for everyone!

Here are a few ideas to get you started.


How to Stuff a Kong
Peanut butter (no xylitol!), yogurt, cottage cheese, natural baby food, canned pumpkin (not pie filling) and soft dog food all make a great base for stuffing a Kong. Then add a portion of kibbles or other healthy treats such as apples (no core, stems, or seeds), bananas, blueberries (will stain – use with caution), broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, celery, cheese (watch the fat content), cucumber, green beans, peas, pineapple, squash, seedless watermelon or zucchini. Since extra calories can add up, if you are going to be giving your dog a stuffed Kong as part of their daily routine, decrease their food intake at meals.


Snufflemats
A snufflemat engages your pet’s powerful sense of smell as they snuffle, snort and sniff their way through dinner or treat time. Food or treats can be placed at the surface for beginners or deeper in the mat for expert foragers. Check out the snufflemats at Say It With Blooms on Etsy. Your dog will love one and your purchase will support BTRC!


DIY Treat Dispenser
Don’t have a treat ball? A water bottle, jug or other plastic container with tight-fitting lid can work the same way. Great for dogs that don’t destroy and consume plastic, simply cut a few holes in various places in the plastic and fill with kibble. Your dog will keep busy rolling the container around to get the treats out. Many dogs like the crunch of plastic bottles and milk jugs too. For extra security, you can duct-tape the lid down. Easy and recyclable! Remember to never leave your dog alone with a toy like this.


The Mysterious Muffin Tin
To make this puzzle game, just place some kibble or treats inside a muffin tin and set some tennis balls or other toys over the treats. It’s up to your dog to figure out how to get to the treats, and for variety, you can change the number of tins you fill and which ones have hidden treats!


Remember that no toy is indestructible so always supervise your dog if you think there’s any way they could chew off a piece of any toy and swallow it.