1. Enrichment, Enrichment, Enrichment!

Dogs need a job, no matter how cute or little they are. Dogs were born and bred to do something. It is important to understand what your dog was bred originally to do as this will give you some clues as to what enrichment they will need. Enrichment needs take many forms and can be rotated so that your dog doesn’t become bored. Doggy Day Care Brisbane suggests licki mats, snuffle mats, Kong-like toys, enrichment ropes (that you can put treats/vegetables in) and slow feeders. These can all be found with a demonstration and helpful hints at DDCB. Homemade enrichment is easy and should be included in the mix, some quick ideas are to keep your plastic bottles, make some holes in them and pop in some treats/normal dry food then allow your dog to roll it around. Freeze vegetable stock with some vegies or treats in a takeaway container, pop it on the balcony for them to lick at. This is just a quick list to get you started but don’t underestimate enrichment as a vital key in keeping your dog entertained, learning and great for when you need to leave the apartment. 

2. Leave them alone

Doggy Day Care Brisbane was started due to the needs of apartment dogs as they understand the issue of barking dogs in apartments and separation anxiety which can be distressing for yourself, your dog and your neighbours. It is time as a community to understand that we need to build confidence and resilience within our dogs. With these unprecedented times at the moment, many of us are working from home. This doesn’t mean we can drop the ball on helping our dogs be confident alone. Leave the apartment without them and go for a walk. Exit the apartment and walk up and down the hallway approx. 5 times a day. Go for your morning coffee without them.

3. Doggy daycare is not a luxury for apartment dogs 

All of us love having our dogs home with us however is it what they need? Dogs need a place away from you to be a dog. They need a group of fur friends to learn with and have fun with. They need routine just like us. Dogs want a job and a lot of the bad behaviours seen in apartments is because of boredom. Give your dog a place to go each week, a place where they can learn confidence and independence in a safe place. Where they can test boundaries with a group of dogs, and it be monitored by professionals. The bonus is they come home super sleepy and ready for cuddles!

4. Eat well, live well

Apartment living dogs need to be fed high quality food. Their immunities are sometimes weaker just for being city dogs! DDCB recommend Suburban Pup, a local business providing human grade dog food that is certified by a pet nutritionist. Suburban Pup has helped many dogs who have sensitive tummies or allergies. The bonus, Suburban Pup delivers orders each week to Doggy Day Care Brisbane and customers can receive a discount for a recurring order.

Another tip to owners is to not just feed in a bowl…how boring! Turn mealtimes into a learning experience. This is where slow feeders and licki mats come in handy. Be sure to reward with a mixture of high-quality treats, vegies and fruit. Dogs love having fresh goodies to munch on. A whole carrot = fun times and great teeth cleaning!

5. Training

Do you tend to get bored if you aren’t challenged? So do dogs! Start to download some YouTube videos! Dogs love to learn and they never stop. DDCB run a back to basics course for dogs. It is a great bonding time for you and vitally important if you have kids in the house. So, what are some things we can learn? Rollover, waiting for food (distance increase as they get better), mat training for greeting people when they enter the apartment, play dead and the list goes on. Always make time in your routine each week to train with your dog.  

^{Due to social distancing rules being in place Doggy Day Care Brisbane is going to provide puppy school online. How cool! If you have welcomed a new pup or about to welcome a new pup into your household, please get in contact and once we are ready to roll I will provide you with registration details. Puppy school covers a range of topics and has been designed purely for apartment living fur kids. We cover toilet training, first aid, house and crate training, basic grooming, lead work and more.}

^{Doggy Day Care Brisbane are still open and fully operational (with some new hygiene rules in place) so if you are keen to try – they offer a $30 trial day and everything is done online via the website. If you need assistance to make a profile and booking, please feel free to call. DDCB offer in house training as well and I would suggest in case we go into lockdown or DDCB is asked to close please contact me if you are experiencing some behavioural issues, I will do online sessions if face to face becomes impossible as well as videos on enrichment and training. Use this downtime we all have to work on things with your fur kid.  I have new stock arriving tomorrow so please come down and stock up on enrichment toys, come and try Suburban Pup, we also stock healthy treats, poo bags and cute accessories! Our retail boutique is open 6.30-9am and 3-6.30pm.}