<![CDATA[PETS Pet Enrichment and Training Solutions - PETSucation]]>Sat, 25 Apr 2026 07:05:57 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[Potty Training Tips]]>Fri, 26 Oct 2018 02:26:53 GMThttps://www.petsenrichment.com/petsucation/potty-training-tips
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]]><![CDATA[Tampa Author-Her Amazing Connection With Animals ]]>Mon, 22 Aug 2016 20:37:34 GMThttps://www.petsenrichment.com/petsucation/august-22nd-2016I'm honored to be working with local Tampa author, Peggy Mullins, her husband Ron and their rescued dog, Zebra. Peggy wrote Everybody Loves Ika: One Woman's Memoir of Her Dog, an American Pit Bull Terrier in 2012 and recently she wrote a book that touches on a topic that is, unfortunately, all too prominent these days...bullying among young adults. This book is called Dinkyy the Donut Horse: One Bullied Girl's Fight to Survive High School. Peggy is an amazing person who has been through a lot and has found comfort and strength in the animals who have come into her life. She's a great example of how to be inspirational. 
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]]><![CDATA[Adding a New Furry Family Member to Your Home]]>Mon, 21 Mar 2016 19:41:20 GMThttps://www.petsenrichment.com/petsucation/adding-a-new-furry-family-member-to-your-home]]><![CDATA[Mental Stimulation for Your PETS: Don't Delay, Start Today!]]>Thu, 25 Feb 2016 20:36:24 GMThttps://www.petsenrichment.com/petsucation/mental-stimulation-for-your-pets-dont-delay-start-todayHow many times today have you surfed the internet, checked for new email, scrolled through the radio looking for just the right song, read a newspaper or magazine article, glanced at a new billboard you drove by on your way to work, watched something new on tv, or tasted a new food item? Now, think about what your pet did today. Most likely, she found her usual favorite spot to nap, maybe watched out the same window where she sees the same squirrels who taunt her everyday, checked out the backyard to see if just by some slim chance there's something new to smell since her last outing, or got to go for a walk around the same neighborhood she walks everyday while hoping a new dog moved in a few houses down so she finally has some new information to sniff. Notice how boring her life is compared to yours? But it doesn't have to be that way. I know you love her...you give her yummy food and make sure she has plenty of water and lots of love...maybe even a playtime or two each day. But dogs are too intelligent to thrive without mental stimulation, excitement and challenges. I'm going to share with you just a few mental stimulation games to try with your dog...they don't even take up a bunch of time!
Here are some examples of how to get your dog's brain working so she doesn't come up with her own "games" which can often be destructive or inappropriate...cat brain games are also incuded below.  :)
FIND IT: Hide treats throughout a room and then let your dog inside the room as you say "find it!" Praise her for finding the treats. This is a fun thing to do before you leave for the day. It gives her something to do while you're gone. (If you have more than one pet, it's best NOT to leave treats down if there is a risk of an altercation over food).This can also be played with people...hide somewhere and call your dog so she has to find you. Have a little celebration when she finds you so she knows she just did something really good! This helps strengthen the recall too! There are many variations to this game. Get creative, switch it up and most importantly have fun with your dog while doing it.
TREAT PUZZLES: These are great for providing a much needed distraction. There are many things you can hide in the treat puzzle...veggies, like green beans or carrots, dog treats, wet dog food, canned pumpkin, dog food...maybe even feed them one of their meals all out of a puzzle. If you use something liquid, put it in the freezer after you fill it so the game lasts longer once you give it to them. I recommend only getting puzzles that don't have removable pieces, like the kong or kong wobbler, Kyjen Treat Triad Puzzle, Busy Buddy Kibble Nibble, Outward Hound Star Spinner Puzzle...just to name a few. All of these can be found on www.chewy.com for a very good price.
FOR ACTIVE DOGS: I recommend the Jolly Pets Jolly Egg or the Jolly Pets Bounce n Play ball...these are toys that are hard to grasp so they get to chase them around and expend some of that pent up energy...both of these are also available at www.chewy.com. 
Tether tug - they make an indoor and outdoor version for the dogs who love to pull on ropes.
RUN THRU THE BASICS: You would be amazed at the difference in your dog if you took 5 minutes, twice a day to run thru all of their commands...even if they don't know that many. Make it fun and gradually more and more challenging to give them a great brain workout. I promise it helps mellow out even the most exuberant pet.
EARN THEIR PAY: Any time your dog is going to get a treat they should be praised for something and told WHY they're getting it. Just because they're cute is not a good enough reason.  :)  It's important for them to feel like they earned it.
BACKPACKING THRU THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Don't worry, you don't have to carry the tent. But a doggy backpack is a great way for dogs to feel like they're doing a job and get to carry a little extra weight at the same time. Add a couple of water bottles to each side and there you go!  It's a great way to expend energy on dogs who don't have a backyard to run around in and rely on just walking for exercise. I recommend this only if your dog is free of any type of back or leg, shoulder, hip injuries.
FOR THE DIGGERS: Many dogs love to dig. Who are we to judge? Many small children like to dig in the dirt. So we give them a sandbox. :)  And archaeologists are fans of unearthing things too. Why not provide a designated digging area for your doggy digger? Mark out an area by using a lighter shade of dirt, surrounded by a border. Bury treats throughout this area for them to find. Keep this area exciting for them by switching out what you hide for them to find each time.
TOY ON A STRING: Tie one of their toys to a string and then drag it around for them to chase. Picture a dog version of a cat toy. Most of them will love the challenge of the chase. Let them catch it every once and a while. To avoid having this turn into a game of tug, hold a separate squeaky toy in your other hand and show it to them while squeaking it when they catch the one tied to the string. As soon as they drop the one on the string to try to get the one you have, then the game resumes. Don't let them get the one in your hand. DON'T leave this toy down for them to play with...choking hazard with with the string. When the game is over, the toy goes out of sight.  Please.  Thank you.  :) www.chewy.com sells one called the Tail Teaser, but you could easily make your own version.
FOR CATS: They also enjoy a treat puzzle or treat ball, and catnip is usually a big hit. Make sure they have a spot they can access and lay comfortably to see outside if you have indoor kitties. Play the hide it/find it game with treats or food with them too!  They typically like to be higher than the rest of us humans, so having a sturdy, higher perch for them would result in happy cats. They usually love to play with toys on strings, but keep in mind some cats also enjoy eating strings, so keep this out of reach when unsupervised.
MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER: Have fun with your pets. Unfortunately, they aren't given the lifespan of most humans, so let's make sure the time spent with us is top quality. They rely on us to make sure they live the best life possible.  :)


]]><![CDATA[Speak Dog Language]]>Tue, 26 Jan 2016 15:37:30 GMThttps://www.petsenrichment.com/petsucation/speak-dog-language
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