When it’s a sweltering summer day dog parents are faced with two challenges: keeping their puppers entertained (because it’s often too hot for long runs or walks outside) and keeping their puppers entertained. Okay, okay, it’s only one challenge really, but when your fur-kid has cabin fever it can feel like an all consuming obstacle. Which is why the invention of a super easy dog treat recipe that doubles as a fun engaging toy or game has us jumping up and down with joy. Presenting Strawberry Coconut Freezies.
(more…)
dog training tips
MODERN DOG MAGAZINE: DOG TRAINING 101 HOW TO TEACH YOUR DOG SIT PRETTY
Dogs love to learn new things and if they’re anything like my fur monsters, they love to show off the things they learn in exchange for delicious treats! One of the most popular party tricks of all time for an eager dog is the classic go-to crowd-pleasing ‘Sit Pretty’ performance. But how do you teach this? We have a few tips for you!
(more…)
DOG TRAINING TIPS: HOW TO TRAIN A DOG TO SPIN
Who doesn’t love to spin or twirl? It is such a freeing movement and something that is actually very simple to teach your pup! Often times dogs love spinning as much as their humans love seeing them do it! Here to take us through a step-by-guide to training a dog how to spin is Jess from Cohen the Australian Shepherd. Take it away Jess!
STEP 1
The first step is having a moderately hungry dog who knows how to follow a lure. Some dogs need a bit of help in learning that you want them to follow a bit of food in your hands and for some dogs it comes (very) naturally.
STEP 2
Place a treat in your hand and your hand near the dog’s nose. Slowly move your hand in a clockwise circle and voila, your dog has spun. Mark with a “yes” or a click and the treat from your hand. If the dog hasn’t followed your hand it’s possible they need a bit of help learning how to follow a lure, or it’s possible that you moved your hand too quickly. 
STEP 3
Now, try the other way. Lure your dog in a counter-clockwise circle. Again, mark with a “yes” or a click and treat. Some dogs will have an easier time turning in one direction than another, but ideally you want your dog to be able to turn both ways. You want muscle development equal on both sides.
STEP 4
Once your dog is successfully following the lure (it may only take 2-3 times) you can start fading the lure. Show the dog the treat but do a bit of slight-of-hand trickery and palm the treat to your other hand without your pup noticing.
Lure them in a circle then open your luring hand as if to say “look! no treat!” and then feed them from your other hand. You want your dog to understand that even if there’s not a treat on her nose she’ll still get one at the end. Practice this until you don’t have to be crafty in palming the treat and your dog is following an empty hand.
STEP 5
Now, it’s time to add a verbal cue. While luring the dog in a circle say “spin” while the dog is in movement so they associate the twirl with the word. Repeat until your dog is cuing off your voice and not your hand gesture. And that’s it! It’s a spin! Now go the other way and give that direction a unique name. “Twist” is a common cue.
SEE IT HERE IN ACTION
How long should you allow a dog to do this trick?
Until you’re sick of it! Dogs tend to love this trick because it’s easy, fun and it pays off with a treat at the end of it. When you’re first starting out, 1 spin = 1 treat, but as you and your dog progress you can ask for multiple spins for one treat.
SHOW US YOUR STUFF! Show us your dog spins by posting a video on Instagram and tagging with with the hashtag #pawshtricks for a chance to have your dog featured on Pawsh!
{Special thanks to Jess Bell and Cohen the Australian Shepherd for this wonderful dog training guide! Photography by Pawsh Studio.}
DIY DOG TOY: HOW TO MAKE A CRINKLE CUSHION
If your house looks anything like mine at the moment, there is still evidence of Christmas everywhere. With chilly temperatures sweeping through the city this week and a pup who is slightly grumpy that she hasn’t been out running as much as usual, it is time to get inventive with holiday clean up and canine entertainment.
So today we have a fun and easy DIY dog toy that is sure to delight furballs of all ages.
WHAT YOU NEED
- two pieces of 6in x 6in fabric (I suggest cutting up an old shirt or skirt)
- black cotton thread
- a couple of handfuls of tissue paper
- a pup who likes to play!
HOW TO MAKE IT
1. Place pieces of fabric face-to-face with the pattern facing inwards.
2. Using black thread, sew three out of four sides together.
3. Turn fabric envelope inside out to hide unsightly seams.
4. Gently ‘stuff’ fabric envelope with fluffed up tissue paper. Place tissue paper in as though you were stuffing a gift bag.
5. Sew up the opening. Examine the toy to make sure it is securely sewed. Squeeze to make it crinkle and give to pup to play with!
TIP: I would recommend double sewing each seam for extra durability. 
Dogs will love the crinkly sound the cushion makes as they nose it around and you get to make use of that excess holiday tissue paper that is just a little too torn up to reuse next year. In a way this is an eco-friendly dog toy too!
NOTE: This DIY Dog Toy Crinkle Cushion is NOT recommended for tough chewers and should not be given to a dog to play with without supervision.
Rory enjoys her Crinkle Cushion so much that she totes it around all over the place — even carrying it into the laundry basket! Her idea of ‘helping’ with the housework.
***
This column is made possible by Paw Couture. A Paw Couture monthly program will get you bonding with your pet in a new way each month! Choose a 3 or 6 month program from Paw Couture and receive two brand new items of your choice each month; from outdoor apparel, organic treats, plush, tough, throw, fetch or novelty toys – Paw Couture has you covered! Shipping included within Canada! FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM