Helpful Dog Tricks

Everyone knows to teach the basic dog tricks like sit, lay down and stay, but there are plenty of other ones that can come in handy. Below is a list of a couple of tricks that I have personally found super helpful with my pup.

Touch. This is hands down my favorite trick I’ve ever taught my dog. If she’s doing something naughty across the room or upstairs, I simply say “touch.” Once I say that work, she runs straight to me and boops her nose lightly on my hand. She does it without fail at this point, even if she’s in the middle of eating or playing fetch.

Wait. Wait is a great tool when you’re teaching them to stay in a specific place. I use this trick when I’m putting a treat on her paws or snout, but also when we’re out on walks. If there is something I think will be a bad distraction for her, I make her wait until it passes. I also use this word when we’re crossing streets. I do say “wait” at every single intersection and have noticed that now she automatically stops at interactions without me saying “wait.” When we’re ready to start walking again, I say “Ok, go.”

Come by and away. Since Aoife is a border collie, she has a natural herding instinct. To help build off those instincts, I am teaching her basic herding tricks. “Come by” and “away” have been great for not only getting her to run in a clockwise or counterclockwise circle (respectively) but also to relax a bit when she’s playing fetch. She plays fetch very hard, so by calling out “come by” or “away,” she runs up to the ball on the demanded side instead of straight on. This small change means she’s not snapping at the ball as hard or tumbling when she can’t stop quickly enough.

Watch me. Whenever I see Aoife is distracted or on edge about something, I say “watch me.” Immediately she looks into my eyes and it takes her attention off of whatever is distracting her. If she tries to look back at the original thing too quickly, I make a loud noise and repeat “watch me.”

Be nice. I have a young niece and a very energetic border collie on my hands so “be nice” is super helpful. Whenever Aoife is overly excited and is about to get a treat, I say “Be nice!” to ensure that she sits down and slowly takes the treat from the person offering it. This trick ensures that she doesn’t aggressively snatch up any treats that are put in front of her.

Doggy Apartment Living

Living in an apartment with a dog doesn’t have to be a pain. With a few simple hacks, you and your pup can live happily side-by-side.

• Regularly clean your apartment. It may seem like a small thing, but staying on top of sweeping, vacuuming and defurring can make all the difference in your apartment. There are pet-specific vacuums that can be a huge lifesaver — especially those that can clean up those unfortunate accidents.
• Create a space just for your dog. When you already have limited space, creating a space just for your dog may seem like too much to ask. But instead of having toys, the bed and other doggy things strewn across the place, you can have one designated area where you dog can feel comfortable. This doggy space is also perfect if you have a skittish pup but you like to have friends over. If your dog can make this space a den, they can happily sit there and feel more relaxed.

• Set up a grassy area. If you have a patio connected to your apartment, consider building a potty station with real grass. There are companies out there who will deliver a fresh patch of grass, but you can also create one on your own for less money. This grass is perfect for cold winter nights and emergency situations.

• Socialize your pet. In order for your dog to be well rounded, they need to be socialized — both with other dogs and with people beyond yourself. Some fun ways to get them socialized and exercised is to bring them to a nearby dog park, take group glasses or set up a puppy play date.
• Food storage hideaway. If you have a chic, well-decorated place, the last thing you probably want is to have a random plastic tote full of dog food sitting in a corner. Instead, why not spruce it up and buy or create a chic looking storage container? There are plenty of options out there for fun food storage ideas.

• Be nice to your neighbors. We all know the pain of thin walls. In many apartment buildings, the slightest noise in one place can easily be heard in the next one. To make sure you have more leniency if your pup decided to spazz out a bit, build a solid relationship with your neighbors. This relationship means they’ll chat with you in case anything comes up rather than going straight to your building manager.
• Tape down those carpets.  Removable velcro strips will hold down your carpets and ensure that no one slips and hurts themselves during playtime.

 

Creating an indoor play area

As much as we’d like to avoid it, winter is coming. With dipping temperatures and shorter hours of sunlight, normal exercises like walks and dog park visits with your pup may becomes less frequent. In order to make sure your dog is appropriately exercised and mentally stimulated, try creating an indoor play space for them.

Setting up the room

Having a completely separate room for a play area is always the ideal, but many people can’t afford to lose any space in their homes or apartments. Instead, set up the play area in the corner of the living room. If you need to set up an actual barrier for your dog, baby gates are a quick fix.

If you have hardwood floors and a dog who loves to run, try adding in non-slip rugs or mats in the area. This will ensure that your dog doesn’t slip and hurt themselves during playtime.

In the designated area, set up the water dish (and potentially food dish) along with treats and toys. If your dog is a napper, you can also set up a sleeping space.

Puzzle Toys

Nothing stops boredom in its tracks quite like puzzle toys. These toys are often recommended by behavioralists as they keep your dog preoccupied while you’re away.

One great option is the hide-and-slide puzzle that comes in multiple difficulty levels.

Treat-Releasing Balls

These toys are excellent because they’re both a great way to distract your dog and also entertaining to watch. Treat-releasing balls come in many varieties, but one option is the Bob-A-Lot toy, which requires your dog to either hit, nudge or kick the toy in order to get a treat released. It’s definitely not a quiet toy, but it’s bound to keep them entertained.

Kongs

Is there anything more iconic than a kong filled with peanut butter? Kongs are the classic pet treat that is always sure to get your dogs excited and, most importantly, distracted.

Meet the Weimaraner

A member of the sporting dog group, the Weimaraner has a distinctive look that has drawn people in since the 1800s. Their grey coats, yellow eyes and stealth demeanor has earned them the nickname “The Gray Ghost.”

Let’s talk facts, Jack.

Weimaraners are active. And by that, I mean extremely active. While a walk may suffice some pups, a full on sprint may be necessary for most others. As the saying goes, “A good Weimaraner is a tired Weimaraner.”

Since Weimaraners are intelligent, very active dogs, obedience training is a must. While some dogs are eager to please people, Weimaraners do not operate that way. The best method to training them is to keep things creative and engaging. Early socialization and basic puppy training is essential to ensure that a Weimaraner starts out on the right foot.

Where do these “Grey Ghosts” come from?

The original Weimaraners appeared in Germany during the 1800s. This breed was highly revered for its hunting abilities and speed. The Duke of Weimar is credited with establishing the breed as it currently looks today, hence the name. Since the breed first hit the scene, breeding regulations for Weimaraners in Germany have been quite strict. Originally, only a select few in the country were allowed to breed or own a Weimaraner.

Finding a Weimaraner of your own

If you’re hoping to add a Weimaraner to your own family, the Weimaraner Club of America has some helpful tips when looking for a breeder or to determine if the breed fits with your situation.

Meet the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Ever heard of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (Toller)? I don’t blame you if you haven’t! While this breed is rising in popularity, it still isn’t as commonly referenced as other retrievers. The Toller is a gorgeous, very active breed originally from Canada. If you’re an active person who enjoys spending time outside, the Toller may be the perfect pet for you.

Let’s talk facts, Jack.

Officially added to the AKC in 2003, the Toller has been slowly gaining in popularity and comes in at 87 out of 194 in the AKC popularity ranking. The Toller’s typical life expectancy is 12-14 years  and is an average of 35-50 pounds.

This active breed requires daily activity, such as 30-minute walks or a couple rounds of fetch a day. If you’re looking for a dog who would excel at agility, look no further. Training can be a bit of a challenge, though, given their slightly stubborn temperament.

As for maintenance, the Toller requires minimal work, but should be brushed and have their nails trimmed weekly.

Where does the name come from?

The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a working dog from — you guessed it — Nova Scotia, specifically from the Yarmouth County. Given the color and overall appearance of the Toller, they were the perfect breed to imitate foxes. By playing fetch on the shoreline, off shore ducks were drawn into the shore, making them a perfect shot for hunters.

The name Toller comes from the Middle English word “tollen,” which means “to lure.”

Want to adopt one?

If you’re looking to add a Toller to your family, the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club (USA) has excellent resources to help you prepare for getting one and how to spot the best breeder.