Is your dog excited to see the kids when they get in from school? It’s a great time to enjoy spending some time with your best friend. Here, kids, are some ideas of things you can do together for after school fun…
Teach a trick
Want to teach you’re a party piece to impress all your family? Teaching your dog to balance a treat on their nose is sure to draw a big applause!
This requires good self-control from your dog, as well as the ability to stay motionless until you release him. You’ll also need to choose a treat that will fit on your dog’s nose!
Step 1: Ask him to sit and gently support his chin with one hand so his nose is parallel to the ground while you place a biscuit on top of it. Use a treat that is a bit boring rather than super-tempting.
Step 2: To start with, gently hold the biscuit in place for a second, then remove it, and praise and reward him.
Step 3: Gradually increase the time you hold the treat there.
Step 4: Progress to letting go of the treat and increasing the time you can do that, and then to briefly removing your hand from beneath his chin.
Step 5: Build up the time he can manage to keep it balanced on his nose, and either finish the trick by telling him ‘OK' so he can tilt his head and let the biscuit fall to the floor, or if he's good at catching, say ‘Catch' to encourage him to flip the treat in the air and catch it.
Play a fun indoor game
Sometimes the weather means it’s too wet or cold to play outside with our canine best friends – but that doesn’t mean you can’t play! There are loads of fun games you can play indoors, including the this one…
The cup game
1. Find some beakers or clean, empty plastic flower pots. Place them upside down with a tasty treat hidden under each one.
2. Ask your dog to seek the treats out. To start, you may need to show or help your dog work out how to knock the containers over in order to reach the treats.
3. As your dog gets good at finding the treats, make the game more difficult by stacking the cups with treats in each layer.
4. To make it more difficult, you can also try placing them further apart so your dog has to physically move, too; this is great for dogs who have lots of energy.
5. Keep refilling the pots and cups. You will see your dog slow down as they get tired. After 10 to 20 minutes of this activity, many dogs are exhausted!
Top tip
If the cups are hard to knock over because they slide on the smooth floor, try placing them on a towel, blanket, or rug. Always ensure you supervise your dog’s boredom-busting activities!
Read to your dog
This might sound strange but did you know: there are special dogs who are trained to go into schools to sit with children as they read out loud? It is proven that reading to your dog is a great way to improve your skills at reading out loud. You don’t have to worry about getting any bits wrong as your dog won’t care, they will just love the attention! Reading together is a great way for your dog to relax, too, and they will enjoy spending time with you.
Step 1: Find a comfortable spot for both you and your dog.
Step 2: Choose a book you enjoy.
Step 3: Start slowly and read for just a few minutes.
Step 4: As your dog gets more comfortable with sitting together, you can start to read for longer.
Step 5: If you’re both comfortable, you can stroke your dog while you read.
Top tip
When you first start reading to your dog, try giving them a couple of treats so they associate reading time with fun!
Head out for a walk
Why not ask your adults if you can join them when they take your dog for a walk? Dog walks can be really good fun! You can play games with your pet, hold the lead, play fetch, explore somewhere new on your walk, and practice some training. If you’re feeling very grown-up, and your adults say you’re allowed, would you dare doing the adult job of picking up your dog’s poo using a poo bag? Here are some top tips to make your dog walks fun…
Top tip: Change up the location
If your dog walk has a usual route, mix it up! Even if you can’t go somewhere different, even just walking the route in reverse will feel different for your dog.
Top tip: Stop and enjoy a game!
A dog walk is not about getting around as quick as you can. Take five minutes to play a game (fetch or hide and seek are popular) or practise some training. Your dog will love the game… and the reward!
Top tip: Splash in some puddles!
Your dog doesn’t have to have all the fun! Put your wellies on and you can get involved by splashing in some puddles.
Top tip: Get a great photo
Set yourself a challenge of taking a brilliant picture of your dog in nature. If you haven’t got a camera, ask your adults if you can borrow their phone. If you get a great photo, be sure to get it printed and put it on your wall.
Top tip: Count your steps
Dog walks are a good form of exercise. Ask your adults if you can track your dog walks. You’ll be able to see how many steps you’ve taken, how far you’ve gone, and how long you have walked for. See if you can beat your scores!