Severo
Severo and his new toy!
For the last few sessions I have been working with Severo with a toy, teaching him how to play nicely. Dogs don’t automatically know how to play with people properly and a dog like Severo can get a bit rough so needs a bit of guidance.
I have been using the toy as a reward for good behaviour. He can only have a play with it following carrying out a behaviour like sit or walk to heel. When he has done what I ask on command he can have the toy for a minute.
I have also been teaching
him to
release the toy on command and also to fetch it and return it to me.
I have started him on searching for the toy by hiding it in the field somewhere and then telling him to go and find it. He loves this game as the toy is as much of a reward to him as food is. Once he’s found it he can have a play with it before returning it to me to hide it again. This is a great game for most dogs as not only do they get the toy or treat when they find it; they take so much enjoyment out of the searching for it.
Severo is so desperate for mental stimulation that the work with the toy combined with keeping up the obedience training is really helping him to become a really nice dog. There is one side effect though…..he’s having so much fun with me that he’s started digging his heels in and not wanting to go back to his cage!
