K9 Magazine

K9 Magazine is a lifestyle magazine for dog lovers that was founded in Great Britain in 2001.

The magazine has campaigned on various animal welfare issues and is noted for its front covers featuring dog loving celebrities.

The importance of teaching your dog to play

Play It is important for your puppy's long-term routine that he learns to be comfortable whilst on his own, so use these first few weeks to teach him this. Give him time out occasionally throughout the day with SAFE toys and SAFE nylon bones. Fill a couple of hollow toys with part of his daily rations. Hide them (in obvious places for a puppy) so he has to search and forage for his food.

This will give him pleasure and tire him. Arrange for somebody to pop in a few times each day if you have to go out for longer than 3hrs, to give him time and company and to feed him. A young puppy needs 4 meals daily (more if under 14 weeks and depending on the breed you have) When you arrive home do not expect your puppy to be calm. He will be very pleased to see you, will have slept while you have been out and will be expecting some fun and games. Ensure the play is constructive by slotting in some basic commands followed by joyous praise and a game with a ball. Strengthening the bond with older dogs. Start with basic obedience exercises. Exercises such as sit, down, stay, walking to heel, recall, retrieve or trick training will develop interaction between you and your dog. Use tasty teats or a favourite toy to encourage your dog's attention and motivation to respond. Guide your dog into position using a treat THEN put the command in. When out walking, if the recall is not reliable, use a flexi lead as back up if your dog does not come on the first command. When he returns to you, always praise and reward. NEVER be cross if he doesn’t come back. Consider it your fault not his and start the recall training again from scratch. Teaching a happy responsive recall helps strengthen the bond between you. Do this frequently, praising and rewarding each time Play with your dog in the house.

If you have a sensitive dog play on the floor to increase confidence. If you have a bossy/independent dog use constructive play with a toy on a rope. Retain or strengthen your dog's respect for you by being fair, rewarding good behaviour. Remember that dogs are conflict solving animals and really want to get it right.

By being fair to your dog he will give you his trust. With some dogs you may have to work hard to achieve this, especially if he has his wires crossed as to what is right or wrong. But with guidance and the proper type of advice and training an amazing amount of improvement is possible.

Establishing a bond with your rescue dog

Don’t underestimate the lengthy process of rehabilitating a dog that has suffered the stress of re-homing and rescue kennels. Let him settle in, but above all, make sure he understands the house rules from the start. Don’t over indulge him in an attempt to strengthen the bond between you. Give him a week or so to settle in, then start with very basic obedience exercises, rewarding good behaviour. When he comes over to you praise him with your voice and a treat.

When he sits freely praise again and reward. Avoid correcting him wherever possible....he may have developed bad habits in his previous home through no fault of his own. Take the opportunity of bad behaviour away. For example if he steals from the worktops, keep them absolutely clear of anything he may find interesting.

He will soon lose the habit if it is non-rewarding to him. If he jumps at visitors put him on the lead. Distract him then offer him a chance to redeem himself with a simple command...praise and reward. There are endless ways to lose bad habits without being cross with him.