How to mentally stimulate your mutt! (part three) Playing with you will also help to keep him under control if he is prone to running off. If you and his toy are the most interesting thing on his walk, he won't want to leave you. Retrieving games are very good for exercising body and mind. If your dog doesn't like tennis balls try squeaky toys, balls containing bells, balls on ropes or a Frisbee. If he isn't interested in retrieving then why not take out a football for a bit of a kick around? Play hide and seek with your dog. If you are in a safe wooded area or if there are bushes around, wait until your dog is not looking at you and then hide. Call your dog and wait for him to find you. Give him lots of praise and a tasty treat when he does, so that it becomes an exciting and fun game for him. If you are walking your dog with another family member, take turns holding your dog whilst the other hides. Why not do some training when you're on a walk? Try some recall training; call him to you for a really tasty treat and then let him go and play. Do this several times during your walk. As well as encouraging him to keep his attention on you and teaching him that coming on command does not have to mean the end of his walk, you'll be training a perfect recall for any sticky situation. Organised club activities Why not join a canine activity club? These are great for learning fun new
skills as well as giving you both the opportunity to meet and socialise with other dogs
and their owners. You could try:
Pictured above are two of Sheringham's well-behaved dogs, Trevor and Finlay from Pentland Lodge. Who are also featured on this years RSCPA calander.
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Doing voluntary
work for Cats Protection, we frequently come into contact with other people who are
committed to helping unfortunate animals. One charity we have contact with is a group of
ladies who raise funds for needy animals under the umbrella of "Animal
Crackers". Their aim is to raise funds during the year in an area covering Holt,
North Walsham and Sheringham. At the end of each year they make donations to nominated
charities. Every year since the branch was set up we have received a cheque from them to
boost our funds for which we have been extremely grateful. Chairman, Robina Churchyard,
lives in Sheringham and is probably well known to some of you. Their Treasurer, Pat
Venton, lives in North Walsham and has also provided us with regular food parcels from
food donated to their box in the Sainsburys store in North Walsham. This too has been a
great help in cutting the cost of our food bills. Pat has recently had an operation and
has decided that after 10 years she can no longer look after the box. As I had been
looking after the box while she was ill, I contacted the Manager of the Sainsburys Store
and he has generously agreed that the box can be changed to show that the food donated
will all come to us. We do hope you will continue to support "the box" with
donations of food for the cats if you shop in North Walsham. Pat has asked me to pass on
her thanks to everyone who has supported her in the past.
