by Elizabeth Anderson Lopez
W
e love our pets and strive to spend time with them,
but sometimes it can be a juggling act to balance
work, family, and our furry friends. Gail Fisher, a
certified dog behavior consultant, author of
The Thinking Dog (Dogwise, 2009), and owner of All Dogs Gym
in Manchester, New Hampshire, said to remember to spend
quality time with your dog.
“It doesn’t mean you can’t ever go out
in the evening, but it’s important to give the
dog ‘together time,’ ” she said. “For example,
take a few hours on Saturday to do something special with your dog, and then go out
Saturday night with a clear conscience!”
Get creative spending time with your
dog – both at home and away. “Strive
to build the best relationship with your
dog possible when you are with them,”
said Cathy Bruce, certified professional
30
dog trainer–knowledge assessed and
associate certified dog behavior consultant. At home that can mean time cuddling on the couch, talking to your dog,
or playing games.
One game Bruce likes maximizes your
dog’s sense of smell and love of treats:
hide a treat in the room and watch your
dog track it down. “Many dogs love to
do this because using their nose engages
their brain in a mentally stimulating way,”
said Bruce, who is the owner of Canine
Country Academy in Lawrenceville and
Athens, Georgia.
If you want to stay close to home but
not indoors, take your dog for a walk,
but do it with his timing and interests in
mind. Let him sniff those exciting hedges
and curbs for as long as he likes — no
yanking the leash to keep moving.
Want to take it up a notch? “Enrolling
in a class with your dog is a great way of
increasing the strength of your bond, giving the dog an outlet for his energies, and
building good behaviors,” Fisher said.
Finally, arrange outings with your twolegged friends that also include your dog
— restaurants with dog-friendly patios,
walking trails, and outdoor shopping
malls are just a few options. That way you
can socialize without leaving your dog
home, lonely and bored.
wavebreakmedia; massimofusaro; Photo_mts/shutterstock
B
alanc
ing
ACT
In a busy world,
slow down for your pets.
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