Use Training to Help Your Dog Slim Down

Do you have any overweight dogs? Here are some tips to help your dog slim down.

[1] If you feed dry food, make your dog work for some of it. At mealtimes, go outside if weather permits or you can do this inside if necessary or if you have a tiny dog. Take a handful of the food and tell your dog to sit and stay. (If you haven’t trained the stay, just don’t go far at first.) Take a few steps away and then call your dog to come to you. Click if using a clicker, but with or without, give your dog ONE piece of dry dog food. Repeat, building up to longer distances and gradually use more of the dry food this way before allowing the meal to continue.

[2] A variation on this which can be done at any time does need a good bit of space where the dog can be off lead, plus two people. Using part of the dog’s regular rations or tiny bits of carrot or apple, you and your friend stand some distance apart and then take turns calling the dog. The dog gets a treat each time it comes when called. You can really get a good bit of exercise out of this one.

[3] Practice heeling and walking on leash by taking your dog on long walks more often.

[4] The first three  tips don’t touch on the possibility that you might be feeding too much. Train yourself to pay more attention to how much you are giving the dog. If you have a dog who just adores treats, cut them into practically microscopic pieces!

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