Keeping your dog entertained
during a coronavirus lockdown – Royal Canin Providing mental stimulation for dogs in the coronavirus lockdown not only helps to alleviate boredom, but may ease the anxiety caused by changes to their routine. The COVID-19 pandemic has altered day-to-day life everywhere, and your dog’s usual routine has probably been impacted too. They may be napping, eating, and walking at different times or spending more time indoors due to a local lockdown. These changes can cause stress and boredom, so it’s important to establish new routines and use mentally stimulating dog toys to keep them entertained and ease any anxiety they may feel.
WHY DOES MY DOG NEED MENTAL STIMULATION? Dogs were originally bred for jobs that made use of their intelligence, like herding or retrieving. Toys, games and training sessions help your dog to express these natural behaviours and exercise
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DOG WORLD February 2021
their brains by challenging their initiative. These mental workouts are just as important to your dog as physical activity and are similarly exhausting for them. They play a key role in your dog’s welfare, confidence, and happiness.
SIGNS YOUR DOG NEEDS FURTHER MENTAL STIMULATION A dog with insufficient mental stimulation will become frustrated and look for outlets to burn their energy, which can lead to perceived problem behaviours such as excessive barking, digging, jumping, restlessness, attention-seeking, and destruction. If your dog displays one or more of these traits, it may be a sign that they’re bored and need more mental exercise.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR DOG ENTERTAINED While the pandemic presents new challenges, there are still lots of entertainment activities you can play at home with your dog – everything from
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