The Holiday Season Is Here!

As the turkey wears off, and the Christmas music starts playing, we are reminded its that time of year again! And while it may be the most wonderful time of the year, it can also be stressful as you wonder what to get for gifts. What do you get your dog? What do you get the favorite dog lover in your life? What do you get a friend who just said goodbye to their dog?

Look no further! I have compiled a list of gifts that are great ideas for any Tahoe dog lover! Need more ideas? Keep an eye out on my Facebook page and you may see other ideas pop up as we move through the holidays.

• Custom Pet Portrait by Local Artist: Local artist Sara is able to capture not only our pets looks, but also their personality! Gift someone you love 9or yourself) a beautiful custom pet portrait to memorialize a pet they have lost, or to honor a pet that is still with them.
  

• Kurgo Car Dumpster: We’ve all been there. At a trailhead, and our dog leaves us a… gift… and there is NO trashcan in sight! Fear no more. Now you can Leave No Trace more easily by utilizing the Kurgo Car Dumpster.
  

• Treat your favorite pet to a Spa Day at Earthwise Pet at the Y! This local pet shop and doggy spa offers nail trimmings, baths, and haircuts for your dog, so they can start the holidays feeling pretty!
  

• Canine Photography by Kevin Sawyer Photography. Kevin is amazing when it comes to capturing photos of you and your dog together and he always goes above and beyond to get that perfect shot. He also understands your shy doggo, and takes time to get to know them. Don’t wait until its too late, capture the love you have now!
  

• Stuff those stockings by visiting the gourmet treat bar at Dog Dog Cat! If you haven’t visited before, this locally owned boutique pet store has all the goodies you need to fill your fur babies stocking!
  

• Donate to the Humane Society of Tahoe Truckee to help local pets in need. HSTT helps local pets by taking in animals who need new homes, offering financial support for spay and neuter, and funding local therapy dog groups! Donate in honor of a pet you love!
  

• The West Paw Toppl is the toy I recommend most often to my clients. It is a food puzzle toy and can be used for dogs of all ages. Even better, you can pick it up locally at either Earthwise Pet or Dog Dog Cat!
  

• Drop off some goodies for your local vet clinic, from yourself or in honor of a beloved pet. Our vet clinics work tirelessly, and with the pandemic hey have had to work harder than ever. Consider dropping by with some goodies or a gift card to spread the holiday cheer!

Do you have any favorite gift ideas for pets or pet lovers? Share in the comments!

Indoor Activities For Dogs!

With smokey air and closed trails (or for some of us, small hotel rooms), we may need some indoor activities for our dogs. While it might take more work than letting your pup run around in the woods, these indoor activities will help tire them out and keep them from getting in trouble.

Box of Fun

This game is easy to set up and fun for dogs of all sizes and ages. You start with an empty cardboard box. Ideally it is a large, low box. If you don’t have a box, you can also use a larger plastic container, a small plastic kiddie pool, or just create a designated area with raised edges using scrap wood, etc. 

Once you have your box, fill it with dog safe items! I use old ripped up toys or fabric, brown packing paper, ripped cardboard, and more. Once there is a bunch of “stuff” in your box, add the fun! You can either add some fun treats by sprinkling them randomly around the box, hide a bone, or hide your dog's favorite toy! If your dog has a toy they LOVE, show it to them, toss it in the “box of fun” and let them find it. 

Obstacle Course Recalls

This game is perfect for getting your dog moving, and also improving your dogs recall! The recall is the “comes when called” cue. For this game, you want your dog to have some practice coming when called already. This game will be easier with two people, but also works if your dog knows how to “stay”.

To start, gather some items you can use as obstacles. I like to build tunnels by putting two dining room chairs close together and draping a towel over them to make a closed in tunnel, old PVC or scrap wood, orange cones, etc to create jumps, cavalettis, etc.

Next, find an area where you have a longish stretch of space. I like using hallways. Take your items, and set up an obstacle course! If your dog has never done an obstacle course before, start with only ONE obstacle, and over the course of a few days add more obstacles.

One person will take high value treats to the far end of the course, while the other person holds the dog. The person with the treats will then call the dog to come! When your dog gets to you, give them LOTS of treats!

Food Puzzle Toys

All of my clients have heard me talk about this. Food puzzle toys are a great way to use your dogs meals. There are a variety of food toys you can purchase for both kibble and soft food. Using these toys allows your dog to work for their meals, use their brains, and tires them out a little bit. I like to use the West Paw Toppl for soft food, and the Kong Wobbler for kibbles when getting started. 

If your dog is not experiences with food toys, you may need to help them  out to start. For the Toppl, you can hold it and encourage your dog to lick and chew it. For the Kong Wobbler, you can fill it and then set it on the floor. Sprinkle some kibble around the edges of the food toy. Anytime the dog moves towards the toy and investigates it, discreetly sprinkle some more kibbles so the dog learns that interacting with the toy makes food come out.

What other indoor actives have you found for your dog? Share them in the comments!