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Articles > HealthMental & Physical Stimulation For people, daily mental stimulation and moderate exercise are important ingredients for staying happy and healthy in their golden years. The same holds true for our canine companions. To help keep your senior dog young at heart, here are four things you can do right now: Grab a Leash: Take a stroll with your dog, giving him time to stop and smell the roses – as well as the grass, trees and bushes, says trainer Caryl Wolff of Doggie Manners is Los Angeles. “If your dog has difficulty walking but still loves to go outside, take him in a child’s wagon,” she said. Be a Chauffer: Go on short trips or errands with your dog, like to the bank or post office. Consider getting coffee at an outdoor café where your dog can drink in the surroundings with you. Better yet, stop at a dog bakery so she can choose a yummy treat. Buy an Interactive Toy: Found at most pet stores, these hollow cubes and rubber toys allow food to be stuffed inside. It’s up to your older dog to think of ways to get the kibble out. Some push and paw. Others throw the toys across the room, hoping a few morsels will magically appear. Whatever the method, dogs are kept mentally stimulated for long periods of time. Play a Game: Have your dog chase bubbles, find hidden treats or fetch a ball. A favorite game that trainer Pat Miller of Peaceable Paws in Hagerstown, Maryland, likes to play is called “101 things to do with a box.” Here’s how it works: Place a cardboard box on the floor in front of your dog. Whenever she does anything remotely related to the box, click, and give her a treat. (If you don’t use a training clicker, say the word “Click” instead.) You don’t have to have a goal in mind, like for her to pickup the box. Anything she does to the box gets clicked and rewarded. “What that does is it encourages her to offer behaviors,” says Miller. “You’ll see dogs try all kinds of new things. But the purpose is just to get the dog to be mentally active.” ~ Staff, SeniorDogs.com If you would like to include this article on your site please include the following information with the article:
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