So, Simon did not go to Sargent...

Although Simon the dog did not accompany me for our Sunday morning hike up Acadia's second highest peak, I thought of him often and how much he would have loved this snowy adventure. I also was thinking of what I would offer as alternative exercise when I returned home.

Exercising our dogs in the colder winter months can be tiresome, especially when we would much rather rest buy the fire. So, on those days when all you want to do is take Fido out for a potty break why not opt for some indoor mental exercise.

Dogs require both physical and mental exercise. Mental exercise is important as it engages your dog's brain and asks them to really think about what you are asking of them. Dogs, like humans, get bored and when left to their own devices may choose activities that we may not admire- such as chewing on our favorite shoes or stealing food off the counters. Mental exercise provides your dog with something to do, which helps to keep them from engaging in those activities that we frown on.

So, here are a couple of tricks to engage your dog's brain, build focus and teamwork and provide much needed mental exercise. Have fun and enjoy this time with your dog!

Spin/Twirl

The trick: Your dog spins in either a left or right full circle.

Begin with your dog facing you with a treat in your right hand. Move your hand to your right in a large counter-clockwise circle, slowly luring your dog. Give your dog the treat at the end of the circle. Only lure 3 times with food in your hand, then try to just use your hand motion.
As your dog improves and readily moves in the circle, start adding the cue word “spin” as he starts to turn in the circle.
As your dog continues to improve start making the hand motion smaller.
Repeat the steps luring with your left hand (I will admit that I taught this to my dog using the same hand to lure him- worked fine) to have your dog turn in a clockwise direction. Use the cue word “twirl” for moving in this direction.


Roll Over

The trick: Your dog rolls sideways on his back, completing a full rotation.

Start with your dog in a down position, facing you. Kneel down in front of her, holding a treat to the side of her head opposite the direction you want her to roll.
Move the treat from her nose toward her shoulder blade. This should lure your dog to roll onto her side- click and treat when she gets on her side.
When you think she is ready, continue the motion with your hand as you move the treat from her shoulder blade toward her backbone. This should lure her to roll onto her back and over to her other side. Reward the moment she lands on her other side.
As she improves and readily completes the roll add the cue word “rollover” and start using more subtle hand motions.