Here are four great ways to keep your dog occupied when you are out of the house.

1. Toys are always a great way to occupy your dog's time. Doggie Daycare

Unfortunately most dogs lose interest in their toys as soon as we walk out the door. Being social animals they have more interest in toys when we are around. An excellent thing to do is to make the toy more enticing. This can be accomplished with a little food. Kong toys are great for this. A Kong toy is a hard rubber toy with a hollow center. They come in different sizes for big and little dogs. A Kong can be stuffed with a little peanut butter or cream cheese, a biscuit or two can also get packed into the center.

A stuffed Kong toy will keep your dog occupied for long periods of time and it can be stuffed over and over again. Kong toys are available for about $14.95.

2. Another great toy for your dog is a buster cube.

A buster cube has a hole on one side of the cube. You can pour some of the dogs kibble or treats into the hole. Once the food goes into the cube you shake it so the food gets trapped in the center.

Your dog can smell the treats inside the cube. Now they have to figure out how to get it out. You dog will push the cube around the floor. Every once and a while a piece of food will pop out. This will keep your dogs interest in the toy.

3. Don't forget daycare.

Dog daycare is one of the best activities for you dog. At a good dog daycare your dog will run and play with other dog friendly dogs. You want to make sure that the daycare sessions are always supervised and the dogs are provided with plenty of water, treats and special attention.

Alpha K9 Pet Services offers a great daycare program. We guarantee that your dog will have a GREAT time and go home nice and tired! Call 281-893-DOGS for more information about our daycare program.

4. Teach your dog the find it game.

Once your dog falls in love with his Kong toy and buster cube start to hide them. Here is how you do this. Have a friend hold your dog's collar while you place a stuffed Kong toy behind a chair. Before your friend lets go of your pup tell him "FIND IT!" Your friend then lets your pup go and he goes right to the Kong.

After a few times make it more and more difficult for him. Have your friend hold his collar and go into the other room. Hide the toy and let your pup in after you say "FIND IT!" When he gets real good at the game provide multiple hidden toys in the different rooms. Use his Kong toys, buster cubes etc. When you get ready to leave, hide the toys and tell him to find them as you leave the house.

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