Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Keeping Active During The Deep Freeze

Like many of you, we spent most of the 2 weeks post-Christmas in record breaking cold. With the wind, it felt like -40C/F (they feel the same). 

My dogs don't do well in the cold, so we minimize our time outside (sometimes to like 30 seconds, just long enough for business). For the most part they did really well without their daily exercise. We did get 2 lovely days in a row and had long walks, and if the forecast was right, starting yesterday and for the foreseeable future, it should be more reasonable temperatures (like closer to freezing).

We have been dusting off our assorted puzzle toys. 

We always talk about how brilliant our girl is (and she is) and we don't give our boy enough credit for being smart. He is also very smart, he is just much quieter about it. He is actually much better at doing puzzles because he isn't as food driven as Hailey and he is focused and careful. 



Hailey is impatient (she is so like me in this regard) and just tries to use brute force to get the treats out.


Phod finished his puzzle first, so he went over and helped Hailey. She was totally fine with this. We are lucky they don't fight over food! He remembered you just had to lift up a piece to get the food. 


Once Phod had enough, Hailey used her force to get the last of the cookies out. 



What is your dog's puzzle strategy?

30 comments:

  1. I'm like professor Lee... yes of course! and I noticed that the treats come out faster when I throw the boy or the ball against the wall...
    The mama plays often search games with me where she hides a treat somewhere... but that idea backfired because I often play that game alone and check all places and pockets with leaving a battlefiled behind... maybe I can make a career at the customs check?

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  2. Under my sweet, cute exterior there is a mad crazy pup, yep, I'm a destroyer when it comes to getting foodables outta thingys....and if that strategy fails I do the pitiful puppy look on Dad, works every time, hehe
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  3. BRRR!!! We don't know how you manage it in that kind of weather. We were going nuts when it was in the teens here a week or so ago.

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  4. We like the puzzle toys too and Millie is like Lee with her frustration level if she can't get the treat out right away.

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  5. I should tell my ghostwriter to get me some puzzles like that. Looks like fun!

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  6. Hari OM
    Well, as a puzzle-lover, all I can say is that I sometimes feel the packets which cover our food these days are YAM-proof!!! I then start to look more Lee than Phod... hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  7. Good work! Maybe you pups can get your own reality show for dogs doing puzzles. Of course Phod could emcee and Hailey would be the main contestant BOL!

    Keep Calm & Bark On!

    Murphy & Stanley

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  8. We have that carrot too!!! We've been chasing treat balls all over the house for exercise.

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  9. I am sort of like both of you rolled into one. I'm not very patient and I want those treats NOW! Mom is always with me and sees my frustration and gives me clues to help me out.

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  10. I am totally like Hailey on this one!
    Oh. Gail says I have just blown my 'careful scientist' image...
    Toodle pip!
    Bertie.

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  11. We've never tried puzzle toys, but SHE doesn't think we'd be contenders for a prize, we tend to sit back and wait.

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  12. Oh...Hailey I'd be like you..wanting the dag gone thing to open. I don't like working for my food. I'm very proud of you and Phod and how well you cope with your very long winters
    Hugs madi
    PS I had to endure some of mom's cabin fever last week. Oh dear me friends...the things we do

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  13. What great ways to keep Lee and Phod occupied inside!

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  14. Dear Handsome Phod and Ojo's Cousin Lee,

    We don't like it when it gets too cold either. I am glad your person has many puzzle toys for you!

    I am a persistent puzzler, and will work and work and work until they are done. Lee, you truly are Ojo's cousin because she uses force as well! She throws things around, mostly.

    There is a puzzle called tug-a-jug that you are supposed to work by carefully tugging the rope in and out and holding the jug at the right angle to make the kibbles fall out. I must admit I use force on that one - I throw it against the stairs, and that makes things come out! Ojo has learned that it fits in her mouth so she holds it upsidedown and shakes it. It is rated as a "hard" puzzle toy, but she can make it empty in about 5 seconds.

    Enjoy your toys, and we it warms up soon!

    Licks,
    Cobi

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  15. That looks like a fun toy. It was too cold for walkies but my walker came over and she and Mom stood on opposite corners of the fenced yard and I did zoomies back and forth between them for treats for just a few minutes. Then inside to play! Abby Lab

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  16. I am very food motivated so I don't always have much patience with puzzles
    hugs
    Mabel

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  17. Cinnie is not food motivated and could care less about puzzles. The hairy slobbery sisters Bob and Sam LOVED puzzles though and we had one of those they liked to "play" with on cold winter days!
    Love Barb

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  18. That was fun - hearing about your two smart dogs!

    Our dogs are typical labs - food insane! We've tried puzzles like those but our dogs pick them up and throw them around the room, which usually breaks them and makes the treats come out ;)

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  19. All three of mine love to play their puzzle games...although Juliet does not quite get WHY she has to go in search of her treats...they should be just FED to her! :)

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  20. 3 bum swings! 3 more!💜
    HuMom always tells me how brilliant I am. I always figure out how to get the treat whether it’s a puzzle game or a new performance skill.
    I must bark & ask what are the puzzle games you are using? HuMom is always looking for new challenges to keep me busy on super cold days or when I am recovering from an epileptic episode, The drugs I must take cause me to be too unbalanced for playing outside safely.

    Nose nudges,
    CEO Olivia

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  21. Sam loses interests and looks at me plaintively for help. Elsa inhales treats. Is that a girl thing? 😇

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