Training Time

QUOTABLES

King Street Cats is proud to be the only all-volunteer, cat-exclusive, no-kill rescue facility in Alexandria, Va. Because we are a free-roaming facility, you can come visit with the “cat-friendliest cats” in town.

To meet a King Street Cat, please email contact@kingstreetcats.org.

BISSELL Male, age 7 months World’s cutest and most playful pocket-sized kitten loves feline friends

BOO BOO Female, age 2 Shy, lovely young mom seeks love as your “one and only”

BOSTON CREME Male, age 8 Well-mannered boy seeks out and thrives on human affection

HENDERSON Male, age 10 months Cutest kitten adores people and wants a feline friend to play with

LITTLE BITS Female, age 3 The sweetest heart beats inside this shy, lovely young girl

ROBERTA Female, age 4 Blue-eyed beauty seeks a softspoken, gentle kitty mentor to help her blossom

SCHATZI Male., Age 7 Shy yet devoted family boy seeks “one and only” bond with gentle purrson

Contact Us at Kingstreetcats.org and We’ll Schedule a Safe and Convenient Appointment Where You Can Meet Your New Furry Friend(S!)

KING STREET CATS

25 Dove Street • Alexandria, VA 22314 www.kingstreetcats.org Training Time

By Sandy Modell

Indoor Games to Teach New Skills and Tire Your Pup Out

BY SANDY MODELL

Spring may be around the corner, but it is not here yet. Rain, snow, sleet, or hail are good reasons to stay inside. Although you may be able to sit around the shanty and relax, read a good book, or watch TV, your dog may find these activities boring.

When boredom sets in, dogs will often turn to behaviors to get our attention or get some action. Behaviors such as demand barking or stealCourtesy of Chewy, Unsplash.coming items of value because Dogs in bed with a Kong. they smell like you or smell like food, or have the right chewy texture. They’re not Once he learns this, ask treats only under some of being “bad” dogs, just going him to target your hand the tennis balls, using a 12a little stir crazy and looking from a distance. Give this cup or larger muffin tin. for some fun. behavior a verbal cue, like Keep your dog working to

To prevent these behaviors, “touch.” Targeting can be- find which holes have the preempt them by engaging come another way to call treats! your pup in fun indoor activi- your dog—practice target- 6.Tug and Fetch – Tug and ties that can work their fetch are classic games brains, provide need- that don’t require much ed mental stimulation, room. Hallways are and tire them out so great for fetch games, then the two of you can and tug can be played chill on those chilly and virtually anywhere. rainy or snowy days. Playing tug with your 1.Play Hide and dog for 10 minutes can

Seek! – Hide and burn good energy and seek is a great way to offers good impulse exercise your dog’s control training. To mind and body while teach your dog to drop working on their re- the tug toy on cue, ofcall skills. Each fam- fer him a treat. When ily member grabs he drops it, wait for some small treats. calm behavior such as

Hide in different sit before tugging again. rooms and one at a Courtesy of Crew, Unsplash.com Eventually, you won’t time, call your dog. Shall we dance? need the treat because

Each time he finds he’ll learn the verbal someone, that person drop cue. gets very excited and re- ing on walks to keep his 7.Release – Always rewards the dog with treats. attention on you instead of member to give your dog

When the treats are gone, the environment. a release word, such as “all say “all done!” Then the 4.The Find It Game – Find done” when you want to next family member calls It is easy to play as you can’t end the training session, him. go wrong when food is in- so he understands that it’s 2.Treat-Dispensing Toys volved. Show your dog a break time. – Treat dispensing toys are tiny treat. Say “Find It!” These activities will get boredom busters. Use them and toss the treat low and your dog thinking and movto work your dog’s mind away from you. When he ing when you are stuck inside. and develop problem-solv- comes back to you, mark it Don’t forget to add a little ing skills. Stuff a rubber by saying “yes!” and toss a body handling and massage at

Kong with treats and freeze treat in another direction. the end to help your pup reit. Ask your pup for a good The treat you toss is his re- lax and chill. Have fun with behavior, such as sit, down, ward. After you mark his your dog! or eye contact, and re- return, to make the game ward with the Kong. Food more exciting, run away Sandy Modell, CPDT-KA, dispensers like the Kong from him before tossing is the Founder, Owner, and

Wobbler or the Bobalot the next treat. Head of Train-ing at Wholistic dispense treats slowly and 5.The Muffin Tin Game – Hound Academy, Alex-andria’s challenge your dog’s mind. Put a treat in each cup of a award-winning, premier canine 3.Targeting - Teach your 6-cup muffin tin and put a training and learning center -- ofdog to target the palm of tennis ball on top of each. fering classes and private lessons your hand or two extend- Once your dog uncov- in puppy train-ing, adult dog ed fingers with his nose. ers the treats, start hiding CONTINUED ON PAGE 69