Getting your deary out and about for some exerciseis an important responsibility . Without adequate exercise your andiron could become bored , lazy and begin togain weight . Did you know it work out the same room with his brain ?
Well , not precisely the same , but your dog does postulate genial stimulation so as to keep his brain active and level-headed . genial input for your dogcan come in many forms – puzzle toysare one of the best and easiest !
I get it on my job . It challenges me every day and comes with a lot of perks . One of the best chance that this job provides me with is the ability to sit down with professional in the pet manufacture and talk with them about their airfield . This week , I was fortunate enough to be able to mouth with and find out fromNina Ottosson , one of the most well - known hound plaything God Almighty in the diligence .
Photo: Nina Ottosson
Her journeying start back in 1989 when hertwo childrenwere bear a yr and a half apart . As you could imagine , Nina did not have fourth dimension to trip her dog the fashion they , and she , were used to . At the clock time she had two Bouvier des Flandres that she used to train and compete with . She still raises Bouviers .
Nina ’s scruples get the best of her , and it ’s a well affair it did . It made her start out cerebrate about how she could aerate her dogs in a bare , fun and varied way indoors with her kids . Since 1990 she has worked with the development and blueprint of firedog activity toys and games that cause the hotdog mentally , also known as “ brainteasers ” for frank .
Nina assure me that there were many skeptics when she first premise this raw and alone category ofdog toys . A deal of people , specially hotdog trainers and psychologists , were excited to get these cracking tools for training and mental stimulation though , and her business organisation has been maturate ever since .
Photo: Nina Ottosson
the great unwashed even call me the crazy lady who thinks hot dog can and want to playact with puzzler .
She has always activated her dogs a fortune , with tracking and other brain building exercises . Nina explained that the games she creates have been great for entertainment for her young dogs , and they are also excellent to practice when the dog-iron have gotten older and ca n’t be as physically active – not to mention the great daily use when she and the frank are at her office !
Nina Ottosson Dog Toysmake bully tedious feeders as well . Nina ’s dogs have always gotten their food in one of the games or toy dog . She says that she call back her domestic dog , as well as a lot of other dogs , have had healthier , happy lives because of these products , and that ’s makes her sense capital and very proud .
Photo: Nina Ottosson
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The Importance of Mental Stimulation for Your Dog
My first question for Nina was an obvious one … what is the grandness of mental stimulation for your dog ? She say that hermission has always been to get the message out to as many the great unwashed as possible about the grandness ofmental stimulationfor dogs . heel have four stage and one brain , and all five need to be activated .
She says that many so - call “ problem cad ” are really just bored . There are so many benefit of Nina Ottosson Dog Toys , particularly for a busy home . By investing just 10 - 15 transactions a day inmentally stimulatingyour dog , you will have a happier dog that creates less job around the house .
If the cad is sufficiently excite and activated , it ’s easier to go forth him alone during the day . It ’s also easy to trip the weenie with these products both outdoors and indoors . The game are designed to be played interactively with the blackguard , but you could also activate the frank while you are doing other things such as cooking or watching television . These toys are also a great prick for child to interact with dogs ina safe way .
Photo: Nina Ottosson
frump , as well as khat , really involve to use their mentality , and they do n’t get to do enough of that anymore . Their raw inherent aptitude is to hound for intellectual nourishment , but we suffice them their food in a bowl . So many dogs and indoor cats are bored .
Your andiron is much happier and respectable if he gets to habituate his brain . It can aid prevent a mickle ofbehavior problemssuch as chew , barking , hyperactivity , obesity and more . Most andiron owners do n’t take in that allowing their domestic dog to burn off vim is n’t just a physical affair – it ’s genial too .
“ With some very active dogs you have to take them to be able to be peaceful and relax . ”-Nina Ottosson
Nina did remind me that , just like strong-arm utilization , there is such a affair as too much mental input for your dog . She says that being active is just as important as being passive – the key is to create a balance of both . you’re able to be dynamic with the dog for 15 - 30 minutes , and then let him catch one’s breath equally as long before you do something else .
Nina ’s toys tender something that other mystifier toy for dogs do n’t pop the question . They provide mental stimulus by problem solving . The dog must utilise his brain to notice the rewards . It ’s not like a traditionaldog toythat only involve play , and they are much more challenging than other similar treat administer dog toy .
One thing you ’ll need to weigh when buy these toy is that your dog is n’t going to have intercourse how to use them right away . It ’s not like a testicle or a stuffed toy that your hot dog will be able to pick up and play with immediately . Nina says that you need to sit down and bring together with your detent .
Be patient and show him what he is opine to do , and utilise a lot of positive praise when he dose it right . She says that it is hard to generalize what secret plan your dog should use , because it depends on many factor . For example it vary depending on your dog ’s experience level , what action he has done , howfood - motivatedhe is , and what kind of strain he is .
All of the games she creates are level from 1 - 3 . Beginners and puppies may want to commence with an Easier ( Level 1 ) plot such as the DogSmart or DogSpinny . These toy have basic functions such as vacate blockage and turning discs . The DogBrick and DogTornado are Medium ( tier 2 ) game , that you could vary from easy to a little more difficult by summate block . The DogCasino or the DogTwister are Advanced games ( story 3 ) with 2 - step job solve to reach the goody .
Keep in mind that these are notchew toys . They are more expensive than other traditional hound toys , because they are much more versatile and your bounder is getting a lot more out of them . Therefore , you should not leave your dog unattended with a Nina Ottosson plaything even for a bit until you acknowledge how he ’ll play with it .
Nina also shared a bang-up dainty for keeping your favorite interfering even longer with her toy . She says you may make an ice cream for your firedog by mixing meaty firedog food for thought with water supply , and then put a diminished amount in all the miniature compartment and block it . Your dog will be interfering for a long time !
If you ’re on a budget and you ca n’t afford a Nina Ottosson dog toy justly now , there are ways to mentally provoke your dog in an easier way . or else of shed a ball , attempt to make the dog sit and stay while you walk off and veil the ball in the grass or behind a bush or even indoors . Then allow the dog search for the formal .
Nina says that you should do this a few clock time and hide the ball in unlike position , because detent are creatures of substance abuse and will go searching where they last establish the ball . This will ensure your dog is tired because he has used his principal by nosework , and not just his legs by tag after the bollock .
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