How Can I Keep My Dog Sociable In The Winter?

Staying social is important for dogs, but this can be a challenge in the winter. Thankfully, there are ways to make sure your dog gets plenty of interaction with other dogs during this time of year. 

Benefits of Being Social

Dogs need to be able to spend time with other dogs in order to build healthy socialization skills. Some dogs end up becoming fearful or aggressive around unfamiliar dogs if they’re not around other dogs much in general. Giving dogs plenty of chances to socialize helps them become more comfortable around other dogs. They learn how to behave appropriately while playing and interacting with other dogs. 

Being social also provides dogs with opportunities to stay mentally stimulated while also getting physical activity. When dogs run around and play with other dogs, they’re burning off mental and physical energy, which helps reduce the risk of boredom. Dogs can develop behavioral problems, such as chewing household items, when they’re bored and don’t have enough mental and physical stimulation. 

Ways to Stay Social in Winter

Although socializing offers important benefits for dogs, it’s not always easy to find ways to do this in winter. When it’s cold and snowy out, you’re not likely to find other dogs and dog owners at the local dog park. If it’s really cold, you also have to limit the amount of time your dog spends outside for safety reasons. 

DoGone Fun provides convenient ways for you to make sure your dog stays social this winter. Our doggy daycare services offer a safe place for your dog to play with other dogs throughout the season. This is a great option if you have to work all day and can’t be around your dog. At doggy daycare, your dog can spend several hours a day interacting with other dogs in a supervised setting. No matter what the weather’s like outside, your dog will be able to socialize all season long.

You can also rent the playroom at DoGone Fun on Sundays from 12:30 to 2:30 pm for special events. Whether you want to throw your dog a birthday party, schedule a play date or host a group event, you can rent the indoor playroom to provide dogs with a warm, dry area to burn off energy. When you rent this space, you’ll also have a staff member on hand to keep the dogs entertained with fun and games.

This article was originally posted at https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/dog-daycare/how-can-i-keep-my-dog-sociable-in-the-winter/

It’s A Great Time To Train Your Dog

Obedience training isn’t just about getting your dog to listen to different commands. It also offers other benefits for your dog’s well-being, such as a chance to work on socialization. Learn more about why this is an ideal time to sign your dog up for training classes.

 Benefits of Socialization

All dogs need to be socialized in order to help them learn to handle new situations and unfamiliar people, dogs and other animals calmly. During training classes, dogs have many opportunities to become used to being around other dogs and people in a safe environment. These opportunities allow your dog to adapt to new surroundings while exhibiting appropriate behavior rather than acting fearful or aggressive. Building these skills means that your dog will behave properly in all kinds of settings and situations.

 Behavioral Problems

Dogs that don’t get enough opportunities to be around other dogs and learn how to behave properly can develop behavioral problems. These problems can also occur when dogs are bored and aren’t given chances to burn off energy. Dogs that don’t get out enough can end up chewing shoes, doors and other items in the home in order to relieve frustration and boredom. They might urinate or defecate indoors even though they’ve been house trained. Other behavioral problems that can develop include barking excessively and exhibiting timid or aggressive behavior around other dogs or people, such as growling, snarling or lunging. Keep in mind that fearful or aggressive dogs can be a danger to other pets and people.

 Training Classes

DoGone Fun offers training classes to help dogs learn commands while also providing opportunities for them to interact with other dogs in a safe, supervised setting. Having dogs attend these classes lowers the risk of having behavioral problems develop. This can make your pet more pleasant to be around in general, which can make the bond between you stronger. Keep in mind that you can also rent the training room at DoGone Fun for your personal use during mornings and some evenings.

 Agility Classes

Dogs that are already well-trained can benefit from taking agility classes at DoGone Fun. These classes provide a fun and challenging way for dogs to test their skills and learn new ones, which provides both mental and physical stimulation. Agility classes give dogs a great way to burn off energy while also spending time with other dogs.

This article was originally posted at https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/dog-training/its-a-great-time-to-train-your-dog/

Dog Walking Etiquette 101: The Do’s and Don’ts

Going for walks gives dogs a chance to get some physical activity while also exploring their surroundings. When you’re out with your dog, it’s important to make sure that these walks are pleasant for you, your dog and anyone you encounter along the way. Keep the following dog walking etiquette rules in mind.

Do: Pick Up After Your Dog

Dogs normally stop at some point to relieve themselves during walks. When your dog leaves feces on the grass or sidewalk during your walks, make sure that you have bags available to clean these messes up. Leaving them behind is considered highly inconsiderate, since someone could accidentally step in them.

Don’t: Let Your Dog Bother Other People

Although you might think the world of your dog, don’t assume that everyone else does as well. When you go for walks, keep your dog close to you rather than letting him wander far in front of you. This is especially important if you know that you have a dog who tends to get excited and jump on or lick people. Having your dog close to you means that you’ll have an easier time preventing your dog from bothering others.

Do: Keep Your Dog on a Leash

Letting your dog roam free during your walk could lead to a disaster, especially if you go for walks on busy city streets. Even the most well-behaved dogs sometimes act unpredictably and take off. Your dog could end up getting hurt, getting lost or accidentally hurting someone else. Leave the unleashed outdoor time for when you’re at your local dog park or doggy day care center for playtime.

Don’t: Allow Yourself to Get Distracted

Making sure that your dog stays safe and doesn’t get into trouble or dangerous situations is your responsibility as a dog owner. When you’re out for walks, pay close attention to your dog at all times. This helps ensure that you’ll be able to react quickly if something happens, such as your dog getting too close to a nervous or unfriendly dog or trying to eat something questionable that he finds on the ground.

DoGoneFun! Has a staff of dog walkers that DO follow proper dog walking etiquette. IN the South Loop, you can schedule regular walks or you can have one of our walkers take your place when you aren’t available to walk with your pup.

This article was originally published at  https://www.dogonefunchicago.com/dog-walkers/dog-walking-etiquette-101-the-dos-and-donts/