Why Stimulation Is Great For Your Dog

What's the overriding contrast when comparing dogs and cats? Dogs are just way more energetic.

They are incredibly playful, curious and they love to take risks. That’s actually why we love them though, because we can understand their emotions that are much more visibly on display. But let’s not forget they are pets, and sometimes we need to stop them from doing silly nonsensical things. 

Digging up the backyard for no apparent reason being one of them. They get their nose right into the soil and dirt, as well as their paws and coat which just makes for one giant clean up job when they come back in the house. Stimulation is great for your dog, because after all their senses are way more advanced and powerful than our own. Here’s how you can help them enjoy and explore with them but in a sustainable way.

Let them chew

If you come home one day after work and find that your table or sofa has been chewed up, calm down. The only person should blame is you, because this is essentially a cry out for help. Dogs that are locked in the home for the majority of the day will feel trapped and even though they might look calm, certain trigger actions will show their angst. 

So, allow them to chew on other things such as bones, chew toys and give them harder chewy treats. To support their teeth so they can chew to their heart’s content, take them to a low cost dental care for dogs where they can get a clean up done. It's done under general anesthetic and the company also provides post-clean oral products.

Double the fun

Dogs love to run and play, it's when they’re at their most stimulated. However, humans can only play with dogs a certain way. We usually play fetch with them which gets boring not just of the owner but the dog too. So, you should try to arrange a play time with another dog owner so that both your dogs can meet up in the park and run around together. 

Dogs often play fight which just can’t happen between man and beast, so allowing them to play bite, roll around and jump on each other is going to excite them. Fulfilling that need to hone their primal instincts, they will chase each other around and go sniffing places together as well. By doubling the fun, you also get some time to enjoy the park, sit down with a cup of coffee and watch them have at it.

Paying attention

A simple game you can play at home is the three cup treat. It's a easy as it sounds, because you get three paper cups and show the dog a treat in your hand. You put the treat underneath one of the cups and you mix them around. Then allow the dog to guess with their paw and if they get it right they get the treat. It's a memory game but it's keeps them stimulated and it's simple bonding time too.


Dogs need to be stimulated, you can’t just switch them on and off. Give them something to chew on and also some general dental care so their teeth stay in good condition while they gnaw on bones etc. Arrange a double play time with another dog to really set their senses and excitement alight.

Learn how Your dog is a Family Disaster Dog

New edition has 50 more pages of lessons..Check it out Free Preview and please share so others learn too. Available in Paperback and Kindle

What is a Family Disaster Dog?

( From the Family Disaster Dogs Book)

A Family Disaster Dog is a family pet who has learned how to rescue its family and assist others during emergencies. To learn these valuable skills dog owners only have to add a few search dog skills from this book to their daily schedule.

The lessons in this book will explain how you can teach your family and pets vital skills to use in case a disaster ever hits home.

When the huge earthquake hit Japan on March 11, 2011 the tsunami that was generated spread as far as the Oregon Coast where I live. Our local emergency warning system and tsunami sirens had the whole town awake at three in the morning.

During the tsunami warning I sat prepared and waiting to evacuate with my retired Search and Rescue Bloodhound, Daisy. As I watched Daisy sleeping on the sofa the idea came to me for this book.

The average family dog could assist its owner just like search dogs do. The family dog is already on site which would save valuable time. Yes, I could teach people how their family dog could rescue them during earthquakes, floods and tornado.

The more I thought about the idea the more lessons came to mind.

These are those lessons penned with Daisy at my side until the end of the first draft like she would have been to the end of a trail. She helped me start this site. Miss Daisy passed away as this book came to the end in Sept of 2013. 

Bloodhounds taught me that one of our biggest fears and chores during a disaster is losing or finding a loved one. Twelve years spent training them and other dog breeds in search dogs skills taught me that every dog has the ability to find its own family members or friends.

Dogs do these skills on their own every day without us noticing.

Teaching your family pet to come to the aid of the family during an emergency is not as difficult as one might think. Our dogs are usually following us around very willing to offer a helpful paw whenever we need one.

All we have to do is learn how to ask the dog for help in unusual or disaster situations.

These lessons take into consideration that family dogs come in all sizes, shapes, ages and personalities like the families they are a members of. Each lesson is tailored to fit into a family situation instead of a formal show dog and obedience classroom.

For this reason, this book is not the ordinary step by step manual of how to train your dog to be on a leash doing exactly what you say. Search dogs have to think on their own like family dogs do while interacting in human lifestyles which makes a family dog the ideal student for search dog purposes.

Read more in the book and at Family Disaster Dogs online

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Where dog owners can learn how any dog can help during emergencies and disasters.

Learn how your own dog can find missing family members or bring you first aid if you are trapped.

The very easy do at home lessons are fun for the whole family to play with dogs !

Learn valuable knowledge that will help you survive disasters! 

Thanks and Stay Safe with your pets!