The value of new or different activities for your dog
 

Here and other places you will hear about regular exercise, feeding, training, and all those things are important.

I am here to tell you about the importance of novelty or newness with your dog. There is nothing like a new experience to build confidence in your dog. Nothing peeks their interest more than new sniffing ground, or new activities.

Routine has its place but so does newness.

I agree that new experiences throughout our dogs' lives are great. My boys enjoy new experiences and create their own new little habits even at age 6 and 7. They love their routines and walking their usual routes, but they also enjoy the unexpected.

Agree...very important to keep them mentally stimulated.

It works for humans too!

Maybe they will take me to the boardwalk today since it is warm here in NJ. And will be even nicer if the sun comes out.

I do agree, Bella's little nose just goes when we are somewhere different and new. She loves to be out and about with us or just a new toy.

We do agility just for that reason, plus keeps us active.
We do compete but not with the goal that others do, mostly for the social part.
The courses are different every week and that keeps her stimulated and teaches her to watch me for guidance. It has been a wonderful experience for both of us. Great bonding and trust exercise as well.

Totally agree! It's such awesome fun to experience new places with your pup. Jackson gets me out and about more than I would without him.

I have all kinds of yard activities set up during the spring, for my group....then as "Summer Dragon" starts to rear its ugly head and roast us all with fire breathing heat waves, out come all the water features they all love. We also have a heavy duty fishing rod that I attach a stuffed sock to and cast it out and reel it in....they go NUTS over that!!!...I really need to come up with things for a winter activity center....it seldom gets below 40* here....maybe 36*.....no snow.....any ideas for DRY winter games for my group, that does not involve water features? I do have a bubble machine they love, but that just keeps them busy for about 30-40 minutes....I bought a clear plastic ball you put a gerbil or hamster in so it can run all over your house....I put a frog or lizard in it and they chase that around the yard/patio for a while, then we let the frog or lizard go, unharmed and also ready for a quiet nap hidden in the small area where I have plants that the babies cant get to..... Occasionally, squirrels will come out and play with the dogs...running just out of reach along the top of the fence, and going from tree to tree....so I guess they are getting enough movement out there....I am open to any other suggestions for winter games....