The Fur and Feather Blog

Hiking with Dogs Workshop

March 17, 2022 No Comments

Hiking with dogs is one of the BEST things about living in Northern Nevada! Join us for this free workshop that covers safety considerations, trail etiquette, essential training, and gear – so you and your dog can enjoy your time on the trail.

We will discuss:

Leash laws: when you have to use a leash and when you can skip it
How to share the trail responsibly with other trail users
How to respond to other people’s loose dogs (or children)
Essential training for outdoor adventures, including coming when called and polite leash walking
Gear to make your trips fun and easy (Did you know there’s a coat that keeps your dog cool? And a way for your dog to carry his own leash?)
First aid for the trail

When: Saturday May 14 from 4:00pm – 6:00pm

Where: Fur and Feather Works Training Center

Please note:

The workshop is FREE, but please RSVP so we know to expect you.
Please leave your dog at home. They will enjoy putting what you learn into practice, we promise.
All you need to bring is a way to take notes and a sense of humor!

Call (775) 420-2322 or email us to RSVP today!

How to Stuff a KONG Toy

February 24, 2022 No Comments

Stuffed KONGs are a classic and versatile food puzzle toy.

Food puzzle toys require time, patience and problem-solving—all skills that are good for your dog and will help her enjoy quiet time alone. Since our dogs’ wild counterparts spend much of their time scavenging for food, food puzzle toys offer a natural solution to pet-dog boredom

Here are some KONG stuffing suggestions for every level of canine cunning.

Easy: Put a milk bone, piece of freeze-dried treat, or similar hard cookie in the KONG. Make sure it goes in easily. Allow your dog to knock it out and eat it. Many dogs need to get some easy success at the KONG so that they understand the point of playing with it, and this is a good way to start.
Medium: Layer the inside of the KONG with peanut butter, canned dog food, plain yogurt, or a similar soft, sticky medium. Jam various treats, cookies, kibble etc. in there tightly, layering with your sticky medium as needed to hold it all together.
Hard: See above, except squeeze the sides of the KONG so that the opening becomes wider in one direction. Work some treats inside that don’t fit through the hole unless the KONG is squeezed (dried chicken strips or heart-shaped dog cookies are great for this). They won’t fall back out until your dog has either softened them up, or crushed them inside the KONG.
Time-delayed, for the dog with a KONG-PhD: Plug the KONG’s small hole with peanut butter or a green pea, then turn it upside down in a cup. Fill with canned dog food (if you put the canned food in a plastic baggie then cut the corner off of the baggie, you can squeeze it in there like a frosting bag. Or, the canned food will be “pourable” if you mix it with a bit of water. Otherwise just jam it in there with a fork.) Freeze. Deliver to the especially KONG-savvy dog for a satisfying challenge.

Use stuffed KONG’s liberally to entertain your active puppies and young dogs.

We’d suggest feeding your dog at least one meal per day in a stuffed KONG or other food puzzle toy. Boredom is one of the biggest causes of behavior problems in pet dogs, and allowing your pup to eat a meal from a puzzle toy is one of the easiest ways to counteract that. A stuffed KONG is an excellent thing to give your pup when you want her to settle down and nap, or especially when you’re going to leave her alone for a while.

Train Your Puppy to be Left Home Alone

February 23, 2022 No Comments

It’s essential to TEACH your puppy that being alone is OK!

We get it; it’s hard not to spend every waking minute with your adorable, cuddly new puppy! But having your puppy be the center of your universe can set him up for anxiety in the future. Take deliberate steps NOW to build your puppy’s tolerance for being left alone, so he can grow into a well-adjusted pet who can cope with the demands of your life.

Being alone does not come naturally.

Up until the day you brought your puppy home, she was likely surrounded almost 24/7 by her litter mates. All that time, screaming and barking have served her as THE strategy to reunite with the litter or mom, should she ever find herself alone. Adjusting to a new reality in which she will often be alone is a HUGE transition for your puppy!

There are simple strategies to teach your puppy that being alone is OK.

Create a positive association with being crated. Crate training helps you potty train your puppy AND teach him to relax when left alone. To create a great association with the crate, make it a guaranteed source of good things. Feed your puppy dinner in the crate, leave yummy stuffed KONGs in the crate, and offer the most comfortable bedding in the crate.
Practice confinement to your puppy’s crate or ex-pen when you’re home. Your job? Ignore (yes ignore!) your puppy. Then frequently reward him with a bit of food or a tasty chew as long as he stays quiet. Start as close to the crate or ex-pen as needed to set him up for success, then gradually create more distance. Having your puppy eat meals and stuffed KONGs in a crate while you’re relaxing nearby is invaluable settle-down practice.
Leave your puppy with something GREAT to chew, like a stuffed KONG or bully stick. Start with short absences, perhaps just 10 minutes in another room, and build from there. If you have a screeching monkey of a pup, ignore for a few minutes and see if she will quickly calm down. If not, talk to your trainer; we can help!

Set your puppy up for home-alone success by providing exercise and entertainment.

For some puppies, a food bowl is just waaay too easy! Try a food dispensing toy for a hands-off way to satisfy your puppy’s brain and jaws. “Buster Cube,” “Kibble Nibble,” and “Tug-A-Jug” are a few of our favorite products. They dispense your puppy’s kibble meal slowly as she manipulates the toy, and produce a puppy who is not only fed, but also mentally-enriched and a bit tired.
Exercise your puppy before leaving him alone. Play with him, take him for a short walk, or do some quick training; it releases endorphins and burns off excess energy! (Chances are it’ll be good for you, too!) It’ll be easier for your puppy to settle in to his KONG or chew toys (or just a nice nap) if he’s not vibrating with pent up energy.

Leave and return calmly to help your puppy realize being alone is no big deal!

Interact with your puppy minimally for the 10 minutes or so before you leave. You don’t have to ostracize him; but playing, cuddling, training, etc. and then suddenly leaving can be a bit of a shock to your pup. Plan that 10 minutes for him to settle into his KONG or chew and lower-level of interaction with you before you walk out the door.
Making a BIG fuss over your puppy right when you return is a great way to train him to be over-excited and out-of-control when you arrive. We know it’s hard, but greet him calmly. And of course, when you do let him out of his crate, take him straight to an appropriate potty area!

If your puppy is really struggling to adapt to being alone, get help.

Most puppies will adapt to this reality of life with humans with minimal stress. If the above strategies do not seem to be producing a puppy with growing confidence and comfort being left alone, it’s time to consult a trainer before things get worse.