Brigg Matters Issue 63 Winter 2021

PUPDATE
By Sarah Parker of The Dog & Running Co.
BRIGG
BEDS
• Cloud Accounting
• Limited Companies
• Sole Traders • Payroll & CIS
• VAT, Corporation Tax
& Self-assessment
Supporting Small Businesses
T: 01652 231931 M: 07525 202528
E: rebecca@rbaccountancyservices.co.uk
www.rbaccountancyservices.co.uk
Waters Edge Business Centre
Barton upon Humber DN18 5JR
and so to bed...
01652 651828
Princes Street | Brigg | DN20 8HG
As the days get shorter and
the nights get longer, the
weather also takes a dramatic
turn too. Rain, cold, wind,
snow, brrrrrrr. Whilst most
dogs don’t care what the
weather is doing, there are a
few that do. Dogs tend to get
into a routine of daily walks
with their owners but did you
know that there are other ways
of ensuring your pooch gets a
daily workout other than just
physical exercise?
Mental stimulation, or
‘enrichment’, promotes a
balance of activity, interaction
and rest. When you engage a
dog’s brain in a task that needs
concentration, you’ll be sure
to have one contented pup. So
what can I do for my dog other
than go for a walk?
Sniffing is one of the best
enrichment activities for a
dog. Using food and treats to
play a ‘find it’ game, is fun and
interactive. Scatter a handful of
treats in the grass outside, or
in a rolled up blanket or towel,
and watch. The part of a dog’s
brain which processes smells
is about 40 times greater than
ours.
Activities that require your
dog to use its brain and its
puzzle-solving abilities are
great for dogs who like to
sniff and forage for things.
Special doggy puzzle toys have
also proved to relieve stress
and combat boredom. When
choosing a puzzle for your dog,
make sure it is an appropriate
difficulty level so they don’t get
too frustrated. You can make
your own puzzles by hiding
Puzzles for Pups
treats in cardboard boxes inside
cardboard boxes. Snuffle mats
are another great idea; you
can even make your own with a
quick google-search.
Have you thought about making
your dog’s dinner time more
exciting? There are a variety
of silicone ‘lick mats’ available
which can be used for feeding.
These mats encourage a dog
to lick, a great stress reducer.
Feeding their regular kibble/raw
food mixed with a spoonful of
Kefir (natural fermented yoghurt,
packed with billions of live, good
bacteria, but obviously not if
your dog is lactose intolerant)
pressed onto a lick mat (or into
a muffin tin) makes mealtimes
much more exciting. A lick mat
can be used with a variety of
toppings at any time of the day
as a stress-relieving treat.
Teach your dog a new trick, or
have a 10-minute recap of what
they already can do. Short,
positive reward-based training
sessions are great to keep your
dog engaged.
Don’t underestimate the power
of sleep. Creating a safe
environment to rest is vital.
Young pups become overstimulated
very quickly so it’s
important to have the right
combination of rest and play.
When you do take your dog out,
let it sniff. Finding clean, fresh
scents, away from the crowded
smelly areas, gives your dog
exciting new things to explore,
and a great brain workout. The
main thing though is to have fun;
a good dog is a happy dog.
60 Brigg Matters
Brigg Matters
61