Enrichment & Entertaining

Enrichment & Entertaining

During these difficult times, if we have to isolate, this has a knock on effect and our pets mental health can suffer. We’ve put together this blog to give some ideas for enrichment and entertainment to keep your furry friends happy, whether it be due to isolation or if you need a bit of time to catch up on work or chores, this list should help:

  1. Cupcake tin puzzle.
    Using some of your dogs favourite treats, why not fill a cupcake/muffin tin with some treats and then cover these with balls or other kinds of toys and encourage your dog to search for the treats.
  1. How about making an agility course for your dog? You could use furniture (indoor or outdoor), cardboard boxes, tunnels etc. This is a great way to keep your dog active and a great way to help keep us entertained too, who can come up with the best course?!
  1. Towel puzzle: a simple and quick game to set up to keep your dog entertained. Roll out a towel, sprinkle over some treats and then roll into a sausage shape and let your dog have fun searching for the treats. Did you know, Scamps and Champs sell a range of tasty treats? Find out more at: Pet Treats – Scamps & Champs (scampsandchampspetfood.com)
Skin & Coat Treat - Scamps & Champs Pet Food
  1. Just as children love a good ball pit, so do dogs! Fill up a paddling pool or something similar with balls and sprinkle in some treats so your dog can have fun hunting for them!
  1. Tug of war –  a classic but one our dogs really love. This helps give your dog a little bit of exercise whilst keeping them happy as they get to spend some quality time with us.
  1. As we are at home more often than not at the minute, why not take the opportunity to teach your dog some new tricks? There are plenty of hints and tips how to do this online and it will certainly keep your dog busy.
  1. Cardboard boxes! A great source of free entertainment. Perhaps hide some treats in a box which is then hidden inside other boxes. If you are worried about using boxes from an outside environment due to Coronavirus – leave the boxes out of reach for a few days first.
  1. Hide and seek. Dogs will love this. Ask your dog to sit and stay and then go off an hide. Maybe take some treats along for when they find you!

9. Snuffle mat. Snuffle mats are great for stimulation and can be used to relieve boredom. Hide lots of small tasty treats for your dogs to sniff out. I use the small fish treats and apples chopped up very small. Below is a picture of my 3 dogs with their snuffle mat.

  1. Treat your dog to a walk with one of our fantastic team – they can take your dog out for an exciting walk while you catch up on work if needed. Walks can be one off or a regular treat.

Exiting Lockdown & Anxious Animals

How the New Lift in Lockdown Rules Could Cause Anxiety for Your Pets

Loosening Lockdown Rules

Following the latest Government announcement signifying further loosening of lockdown regulations, there are signs that we could be transitioning into a ‘new normal’ imminently. Whilst this news comes as a great relief to many of us who have been separated from loved ones for almost three months, we need to take a moment to consider that this may not be such good news for our beloved pets. Scamps & Champs Chichester would like to highlight the main concerns we may be facing in the up and coming weeks with our anxious pets and how you can assist a smooth transition for your pets, as you begin to leave your house for longer periods of time.

Jackpot Joy

Many of us have been completely quarantined at home for medical reasons, with little or no contact with the outside world for elongated periods of time. Whatever your circumstances are one thing is certain, you have probably been at home with your pets a great deal through this unprecedented period.

Aside from the obvious concerns, your pets have probably perceived your new extended time at home as a great comfort accompanied with additional fuss and food! In fact, they probably think they have struck gold right now by having you and your entire family home 24/7! Furthermore, with your desperation to get outside and enjoy a burst of fresh air and exercise, it is very possible that as a dog owner you have been taking your canine companion for extra walkies too! Jackpot!

An Alteration in Routine

Without our commute to work, the school run, trips out in the evenings and at weekends, not only have we significantly shifted our daily routine but so have our pets. Whereas we would probably leave the house and our pets at least twice a day and possibly for several hours at a time during busy periods, we may now only be leaving the house to walk our dogs. In short, some of our pets may be by our sides throughout the entire day without us even realising it.

Anxiety in Our Animals

As humans we often become anxious during significant changes in our lives and it is no different for our pets. In their minds they have become used to our company, everyone being at home and all of the additional benefits that come with this. Therefore if we suddenly go back to work and begin leaving them they could become extremely anxious, upset and even distressed. So the important question is; how can we avoid this happening?

Scamps & Champs Chichester are here to help you by providing pet visits where we can come and check that your pets are okay, change their water, feed them and let them outside for some fresh air. We also provide a dog walking service where we can come and collect your dog and take them for a walk, so if you are self-isolating or going back to work and unable to walk your dog then we are here to help. At Scamps & Champs Chichester we are keen to provide you with accurate, up-to-date advice so this week we spoke to Hannah’s Hounds Dog Training who provided us with expert tips on how to reduce anxiety in your pets’ behaviour, in the up and coming weeks.

Tips for Reducing Pet Anxiety

  • Start Now – Start leaving your pets for short periods of time now, whilst you are still self-isolating. Put them into their safe space so they know you are leaving the house. You could even just go out of the room and upstairs so that they think you’re going out, then you are still close by to help if they become distressed. When you do eventually start going out you can do this in small steps too, by heading out the front door and sitting in the car or walking down your drive to be close by.
  • Build It Up – If your pet is really struggling with separation anxiety then just start small by just walking out of a gate or the front door and coming back inside.You can then build on this gradually by leaving the room for two minutes, then next time five minutes and build up to the time you would usually be out for. Start by just leaving the room and pretending to go out, until you are certain that your pets are settled and content with you going out of the house properly. If your pet gets overly distressed, you may need to contact a professional dog behaviourist for help.
  • Safe Space and Triggers – Always leave your pets in their safe space. Be consistent with where you leave them, when you leave them and the signs you provide to your pets as you leave. Perhaps you give the same cue, say the same words or turn on the same radio station as you leave. Keep the message consistent so that they recognise the signs that you are leaving the house and they know what is about to happen, this will help reduce anxiety.
  • Treats, Toys & Time – Throughout the day when you are home, keep your pets engaged and active at several points during the day. Have activities planned such as a Kong toy or lick mat, where they have to work for their food and treats. Keep their minds and bodies engaged and active throughout points during your day, so that when you do leave they are ready to slow down and have a break whilst you are out.
  • Exercise – Keep your pets well exercised with plenty of fresh air where possible, so that when you do leave the house they are tired and happy to have some down time in their safe space. When you do leave you could also use a chew toy or treat to keep them occupied whilst you leave them for their settle period of rest. This will help reduce anxiety and keep them calm.
  • Lockdown Puppies – If you have bought home a new puppy during lockdown then it is very possible that they have never been left. Make sure you are incorporating all of the above advice within your professional puppy training even before lockdown ends. Start now, leaving your puppy is often an aspect of training that gets forgotten. If you are unsure about this then contact a professional dog trainer.

If you are at all worried about leaving your pets whilst you return to work Scamps and Champs Chichester can come and check on your pets whilst you are out for additional piece of mind. If you have purchased a ‘lockdown puppy’ whilst you have been off work and home all of the time, you may also like to consider our Puppy Sitting Service. If you have any questions or queries don’t hesitate to contact Scamps & Champs Chichester for further support and advice by emailing chichester@scampsandchamps.co.uk, calling our Branch Manager Sarah Young on 07931 526514 or contacting us via our Facebook Page.