How to Keep Your Dog Entertained During the Quarantine
If you’re like us, you are practicing safe social distancing and staying locked up at home to keep our beautiful New York City safe in the face of COVID-19. Whether or not you are happily working from home, or catching up on some much needed Netflix (check out our blog on some of our favorite canine movie stars), you are doing your due diligence and we applaud you! What about your beloved pup in all of this? We’re sure they’re loving you home more often, but how can you explain to them that their beloved walking time, dates to the dog park, or visits from friends need to be put on pause? After all, they don’t know what a quarantine is, or why it’s important, they just know one thing, they’re bored! So how can you make the most of your time at home with your furry best friend? Here is a list of our favorite ways to keep your dog entertained during a quarantine.
Learn a New Trick
Just wait until all of their doggy pals get a look at your pup when you show off the new trick you have been working on! If you haven’t already, now’s a great time to start simple with the basics: sit, stay, shake (shake with the other paw?), all great ways to get some obedience training in, and keep their minds occupied. If you are looking for more of a challenge, try searching for more. YouTube is an excellent resource for training videos, and cool tricks with step by step instructions on how you and your dog can learn them together. While you are on YouTube, try putting on some calming music to help them relax. Your dog may be a little out of their routine. Some soothing sounds and a dark otherwise quiet area may help remind them when it’s time for naps and time for bed.
Short Walks are Still Okay
If you and your dog are going a little stir crazy, remember that getting outside and taking short walks are still okay just so long as you are avoiding large groups of people, and maintaining 6 feet of distance between you and others. This can be a great way to break up the day, and give you a much needed break if you are new to working at home yourself and could use a good stretch.
Treat Them to a New Treat or Toy
For when you're both cooped up but you have work to do, try treating them to a new toy or treat! Kong dog toys that can be filled with treats, snuffle mats, and chew toys can all provide hours of entertainment for your dog, and can all be purchased through online resources like Amazon. Looking for a little variety? Our friends at BarkBox is a gift that keeps giving. Typically, each box will contain new bags of themed treats, a chew stick and new toys delivered to your door each month. Click here for more information on their monthly subscription packages.
Treat Them to a Healthy Snack
You’re home, and you may be even more tempted to share a sandwich, or slip them some scraps from the table. Try looking at some recipes for healthy dog snacks, or share some healthy human snacks like apple slices, carrots, celery, or bananas. If you would like to treat your dog to a true taste of luxury, look no further than the high quality treats of Bonne et Filou. Our dog macarons are made from all natural, human-grade ingredients and come in 3 delicious flavors your pup will love. For more information and to browse through our products, click here.