Throughout the past few months of lockdown, man’s best friend has become the centre of life at home for many of us, whether we’re on furlough, isolating, or working from home.

Despite cats (boo) entering the new year being searched for more than our beloved canines, online interest in dogs has overtaken that of the felines, which means statistically, dogs are absolutely preferred by the UK public to cats.

If you aren’t already filling the void left by seeing fewer dogs outside of your own household during the lockdown period, Benchmark Kennels have highlighted the top five most insta-famous dogs for you to check out…

1. Jiffpom – 10.5 million followers

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-B7h68lXpO/?igshid=qmkjautq9ai7

Coming in at the top of this list is Jiff the Pomeranian, with over 10.4 million followers on his main account, and a combined 30 million across all of his social media.

While pomeranians are the smallest member of the Spitz dog family (which includes Malamutes and other sled dog breeds), Jiff really packs a punch in the influencer world. With two Guinness World Records under his collar, along with a feature in Katy Perry’s ‘Dark Horse’ music video, this star is more talented than most!

Head on over to Instagram and follow Jiff @jiffpom to see regular photos and videos of this little pomeranian living the high life in Los Angeles.

2. Doug the Pug – 4 million followers

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCEM_FIpCqY/?igshid=ltd7vdr73ucs

Following up in second place is Doug The Pug, with four million followers on Instagram.

As the most popular breed of toy dog, pugs have dominated internet culture for years. Doug is different, however. Officially referred to as a ‘celebrity dog,’ this pug won last year’s People’s Choice Award for Animal Star.

Not content with Instagram fame, he also has one billion video views over at Facebook, where he stars in remakes of iconic movie scenes from IT to Frozen. Yet another music star, Doug has been featured in Katy Perry’s ‘Swish Swish’ music video, as well as Fall Out Boy’s ‘Irresistible.’

With daily posts uploaded to Instagram, be sure to follow Doug the Pug @itsdougthepug for a glimpse into celebrity dog lifestyle.

3. Maru the Shiba, Shinjiro Ono – 2.6 million followers

https://www.instagram.com/p/CB_4Mk4BVcy/?igshid=v3x6tzf3oqv6

Maru the Shiba is the next featured dog, with an impressive 2.6 million followers on Instagram.

While he may not be as well known in music industry circles, this Shiba is arguably the cutest dog on Instagram. With his fluffiness only matched by his constant grin, Maru is practically the poster pup for happiness. Maru is, in fact, Japanese for round, a fact that only makes him all the more destined to be the cutest dog on this list.

Follow Maru the Shiba’s adventures over on Instagram @marutaro for regular videos of the pooch deemed to be ‘the best dog in the world’ by Time Magazine.

4. Tuna – 2.1 million followers

https://www.instagram.com/p/CChDG9jB9J_/?igshid=1raxuqoxi0b23

Tuna is the next featured Instagram star, with 2.1 million followers, and a heartwarming backstory.

Abandoned just after birth, Tuna shot to fame in 2012 when his new owner Courtney made him an Instagram account. Because of his unusual, albeit adorable, appearance due to overbreeding, and a tough start in life, Tuna has used his Instagram fame to raise money for animal rescue groups, while also promoting animal welfare.

Find this internet celebrity travelling across the world, while still having time to be featured on This Morning, and at launch parties in top tier locations such as the Ivy Chelsea Garden Restaurant.

For further inspiration from Tuna, follow @tunameltsmyheart.

5. Loki the Wolfdog – 2.1 million followers

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-NRGOsJQcZ/?igshid=bc338i9s6i2a

The biggest and final pup in this roundup is Loki the Wolfdog, with 2.1 million followers on Instagram.

As his name would suggest, Loki is indeed part wolf, with some husky and malamute ancestry added to the mix. This wild side results in Loki requiring more exercise and time outdoors than most dogs. Luckily for him, owner Kelly is an outdoor aficionado, travelling the wilderness and taking stunning photos that provide us with a glimpse into the wilder side of life, and an escape from the sofa during the lockdown.

Follow Loki @loki for more on the road pics!

Chat to the Benchmark Kennels team today!

Get in touch with us on social media to let us know if your favourite Instagram dog made the list, and to share any dog pics that you have taken while we’ve all been stuck at home.

Benchmark Kennels manufacture bespoke dog kennels to suit dogs of all breeds, shapes and sizes. You can customise your outdoor kennel to be as luxury or minimal as required, with us offering a range of materials from wooden to WPC eco-thermal kennels with extra insulation. You can order a kennel direct from our website or get in touch with us for further advice on the best kennel for your dog’s needs.

Back in May in the midst of lockdown, the Benchmark Kennels team asked you to get involved and tell us your favourite dog-friendly pubs around Yorkshire. It was a wonderful opportunity for dog-lovers and owners alike to honour our favourite dog-friendly pubs and help spread the word about these welcoming and cosy places to grab a pint. 

First of all, thank you! Our readers didn’t disappoint, with more than 300 of you placing your votes and telling us why your locals are so special to both you and your animals – we absolutely loved hearing from you. 

With Boris deciding to lift some lockdown restrictions on 4th July and many pubs now reopening, its the perfect time to see who our winners are and give credit to the top five and much-loved pubs of Yorkshire. 

Drum roll, please… 

1. The Crown & Cushion, Welburn 

The Crown & Cushion in Welburn, North Yorkshire really do take the crown on this one. They received the majority of votes from dog owners and locals due to their gorgeous setting and friendly approach to dogs joining their families for food or drinks. 

With the building dating back to the 18th Century, its a stunning environment offering locals a place to pop in for a casual drink after a long walk or get dressed up and visit for a fine dining experience. 

In winter, the open fires make the pub a cosy and welcoming place to spend a Sunday, and in summer, the rear terrace is ideal for drinks in the sun. 

Welburn village is located in the district of Rydale, not far from Malton and York. It’s easy to access from the A64 or can be found via foot with there being many popular walks and bird-watching spots around the area that can start or finish at the Crown & Cushion. 

2. The Wheatsheaf Inn, Carperby

Next up is The Wheatsheaf Inn in Wensleydale, set in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park and hugely popular with avid walkers and explorers. There is an abundance of Yorkshire attractions around the area making it the perfect place for a pint at the end of a long day either spent hiking in the dales with your furry friends or simply mooching around the quaint village shops. 

If you’re planning a big walk with the dog and need a place to rest your head afterwards, you can even book a room with your pooch, with many of their single, double and family rooms being completely pet-friendly and offering a home-from-home experience. 

3. The Fountain Hotel, Hawes 

Another North Yorkshire pub comes in at third – The Fountain Hotel in Hawes. This hotel and local prides itself on its wholesome and home-cooked pub grub, welcoming all dogs and children with open arms. 

Popular with sports fans, the pub hosts three screens showing live sport, ideal for watching premiere football which has recently made its post-corona comeback. 

The pub is a favourite of both locals and visitors to the town, with many calling in for a drink or staying the night after a walk around the lovely village of Wensleydale and the Yorkshire Dales. 

4. The Oak Tree, Helperby

In at fourth is The Oak Tree in Helperby, a village full of character and within reach of a range of lovely walks along rivers Ule and Swale or along the old railway line. You can book a room with your dog or simply visit for a few drinks after a nice stroll, with a huge array of local beers, hand-pulled ales and delicious wines to choose from. 

For those looking for a venue for a special occasion, you can even hire out a private party room to host birthdays, cocktail parties or any family gathering and bring your dogs along. 

5. Rose & Crown, Sutton-on-the-Forest 

Last but by no means least is the Rose & Crown. Located in the picturesque village of Sutton-on-the-Forest in North Yorkshire, this pub is the heart of the village community, being the last standing pub in the village and offering a mean Sunday lunch. 

Known to serve some of the best pub food in York, they offer curry nights, steak nights and fresh fish Friday’s – all of which welcome dogs and families to join in. If you’re looking for an affordable place to stop off for a pint and a bite to eat after a long day out around York with it being just eight miles out of the city centre. 

If you can’t see your favourite on the list, don’t be disheartened, it was a close call! There were tons of runners up that are equally as beautiful places to call in for a drink with your dog or family, like the Trafalgar Bay in York and The Coverbridge Inn in East Witton. 

Get in touch with us on social media to let us know if your favourite dog-friendly pub made the top five and whether you’re planning to brave the pubs post-lockdown or stick to drinks at home for now. 

Lockdown, while being a scary and unusual time for many, has allowed both new and experienced dog owners to spend lots of quality time with their pets, strengthening bonds and giving owners plenty of time to practise some perhaps neglected training. It’s been wonderful for our dogs to have us around, whether you are working from home and they are happy to sit by your side until their walkies or you’re on furlough and have been able to give them your undivided attention.

Despite this, it’s important to keep in mind that the period of lockdown is gradually coming to an end and as people start to return to work our dogs are likely to feel confused and abandoned after such a long period of being around their humans 24/7. If you have welcomed a new puppy into your home or you have a dog that struggled with being separated before lockdown began, now is the time to start easing your dog into normal life and make sure you don’t go from one extreme to another. 

Benchmark Kennels are here to clear up any confusion you have around trying to avoid separation anxiety and offer some clever ways to accustom your dog to spending time alone without having to necessarily leave your home entirely. 

What is separation anxiety?

Before you start trying to combat and avoid separation anxiety, you need a basic understanding of what it is and what it can entail if you allow it to escalate. Dogs in the wild are pack animals meaning it is in their nature to enjoy spending time as part of a group rather than alone. This natural instinct is still there, meaning domesticated dogs can develop separation anxiety as a result of spending too much time in the company of their owners and believing that every time you leave the room you are essentially leaving forever. By introducing periods of prolonged separation and encouraging your dog to have some independence as a puppy and an adult, you will make life a lot easier when it comes to going to work or heading out to a place where dogs aren’t allowed. 

How your dog reacts to being left alone will be dependent on their breed and upbringing, but it is also largely a result of how they are raised and their early experiences. While it may be tempting to spend every waking minute with a new puppy having plenty of cuddles and playtime, this will only lead to issues further down the line. For dogs that haven’t been left alone or trained to spend time without you being closeby, separation anxiety and your dog’s distress can be displayed in a number of ways such as barking, crying or whining, chewing or general destructiveness and going to the toilet indoors – all behaviours that can be hard to deal with and can even harm the relationship between you are your animal. 

How to avoid separation anxiety after post-lockdown… 

Develop independence

If you have a new lockdown puppy or your dog has become your little shadow during the lockdown period, now is the time to start introducing periods of alone time and encourage independence. You don’t have to go out of the house to do this either, simply leaving your dog in another room or outdoors to play and explore without you being closeby is enough. Try to extend the amounts of time you separate yourself from your dog with the end goal being your dog staying calm and relaxed whether you’re in the room or not. Make sure to leave plenty of chew toys such as Kong toys stuffed with treats or peanut butter and a comfy bed or crate for your dog to rest and feel safe while you’re gone. 

Some other ways to encourage independence is to make sure your dog sleeps in their bed rather than next to wherever you are in the home and try to stick to a consistent routine, including a ‘quiet time’ for your dog to sleep without you there. 

Dog kennels 

Another way to avoid causing dog separation anxiety is by using indoor or outdoor dog kennels. Kennels are a perfect way to give your dog alone time outdoors without you having to keep an eye on them, leaving you an opportunity to tick off any jobs around the house or run any errands. By putting your dog in their kennel regularly, it will become a part of their daily life and your dog will start to view their kennel as their own territory to play or relax without needing attention from you. 

Shared care

While all dogs will have a favourite person, usually being whoever brings them home for the first time or who feeds them, discouraging your dog from becoming too attached to one family member can help to ease separation anxiety. To do this, make sure all members of your household get involved with the daily care, feeding, walking and playtime with your dog. This way, when their favourite carer is at work or in a separate room your dog won’t display signs of anxiety or problem behaviours. 

This is an especially important thing to keep in mind if you plan to use dog sitting or dog walking services after lockdown, as your dog will be difficult to manage if they are only familiar with being around one person. 

Regular exercise

This may go without saying, but taking your dog for a big walk at least once a day is essential for their physical and mental wellbeing. A dog that has excess energy to burn is far more likely to freak out, chew your furniture or bark when left alone than a dog that has had plenty of exercises before you head out. As the lockdown rules have started to be lifted, try to get back into a strict routine of taking your dog for a big walk before you go to work so they can sleep it off for a big chunk of the day until you return. 

Positive techniques

Finally, it’s important to remember that once a dog has developed separation anxiety, it is difficult to get rid of. You should never punish your dog for the behaviour they display while you’re out as your animal won’t understand why or what they are being punished for. Instead, don’t pay your dog any attention when you get home to avoid making a big deal out of the fact you’re together again. Over time, your dog should start to learn that being apart isn’t something to be distressed about. 

Order a bespoke wooden dog kennel for post-lockdown today!

If you’re planning to go back to work soon or you just want to reintroduce a routine to help to avoid or ease your dog’s separation anxiety, an outdoor wooden or WPC eco-thermal dog kennel is an ideal solution. They are secure, insulated and are bespoke-made to suit the size and breed of your dog, whether you require multi kennels or singular dog kennels to house your animals and keep them out of harm’s way. 

Order your bespoke kennel via our website today or give us a call for a quote!

Continuing our series of essential lockdown tips to keep your dog happy, healthy and engaged throughout the boredom of national lockdown, we’re focusing on the most simple and effective ways to keep your dog healthy and fit while largely stuck at home.

Depending on your pets’ usual activity levels, the activities you try might vary in length and intensity, they may be motivated by simply the promise of walkies with their human or need to be encouraged using small treats or a favourite toy, ball or game. There are no hard and fast rules when keeping your dog at peak physical fitness, because all canines are different, with their personalities and individual motivations. The most important consideration is to enjoy the quality time you and your dog spend together during quarantine, whether you choose long walks, training, play, enrichment activities or diet changes.

With that spirit in mind, Benchmark Kennel’s have put together a mini-guide to maintain your dog’s fitness with a bunch of helpful tips and handy advice so you can get active together at home while prioritising the safety and wellbeing of yourself, your family and your pet.

Long Walks

It’s a well-known fact of life that most dogs love the many hours spent walking with their humans in parks, along streets, in cities and deep in the countryside. In normal times there are almost no end of places you and your dog can venture, where they can run, chase, play and burn off all that extra energy which has them bouncing off the walls if gone unspent.

Although it’s not advisable to go wandering miles from home or driving to another county altogether and widening the margin for error in terms of staying alert, there are sure to be many routes in your local area to explore safely.

Going off the beaten track to the parkland of heritage sites is a great way to soak in some culture outdoors and give your dog lots of space to run, play and enjoy some much-needed freedom. These areas often possess large trees for quality stick hunting, lots of undergrowth for natural sniffing, and active wildlife to trigger your pets’ hunting instincts without allowing them to chase or hurt any small animals.  On top of this, your dog may have the opportunity to greet and interact with other canines (provided your respective households don’t get too close) which they are sure to have missed during the quarantine.

That said, if you wish to skip the crowds, the best time to grab the lead and get running to your local green space is after 5 pm, ensuring a quieter environment so you and your dog can minimise contact with others.

Training

As previously mentioned in our lockdown series, being stuck at home provides you with the perfect opportunity to focus back on training basics. It’s never too late to revisit the simple things you might have been overlooking or correct bad behaviours you might not have had the time to deal with before the pandemic – with the added benefit of burning calories, improving concentration, and helping them stay active.

One of the best ways to get started, whether your dog is elderly, a pup or any age in between. Though just like humans, older dogs are known to have a superior attention span when compared with very young puppies, is to teach or reaffirm the seven most important commands: no, leave, sit, stay, come, and down. These can be exceptionally useful in almost any scenario you can imagine in which your dog is physically active, both indoors or out.

Finding the right training techniques for these commands is largely trial and error, and should be tailored to your dog, based on how fast and efficiently they learn, how well they remember commands and, if they have been trained before, their motivations.

All training or teaching of tricks should be carried out using small treats or their favourite toys as encouragement, using hand motions as a signal for your dog to position themselves in a certain way or follow you in a particular direction. You may also want to use sound, clicks, claps and whistles to communicate with them, depending on the rapport you share and what your pet responds most positively to.

It’s advisable to begin training in a quiet area so neither you or your dog become distracted, such as your garden during the morning or early evening.

Playtime

Although it might seem obvious that playtime makes for a great opportunity for your dog to keep fit while having fun, it’s an activity that many pet owners find all too easy to overlook or trivialise. Dogs get bored just like humans, so the rich engagement potential that play provides can alleviate their stress and activate essential brain functions while getting them running, chasing, fighting their toys and living their best canine lives.

Make sure you have their best toys on hand, it’s one thing to watch your dog play alone or with their companion dog (or dogs), but interacting and joining the play yourself adds a new layer of joy for your pet who sees you as the leader of their little pack.

A range of toys will do, for example: chasing a ball allows them to use concentration, understand spatial awareness and increase their speed, building lean muscle mass and burning fat. Tug of war improves their strength and lets them tap into their primal resource instincts. Flirt poles have your dogs bounding, jumping, spinning and chasing; increasing their heart rate, endurance and agility.

However you choose to make playtime a 3D, active and pack-building experience, it’s important to note that wherever you lead, your dog will follow. Your attitude, expressions and energy really will define how exciting, fulfilling and engaging play activities are for you and your dog.

Enrichment

A more relaxed facet of playtime that is often forgotten is enrichment. The definition of enrichment is to decrease boredom and behavioural problems through the constructive use of interesting objects, smells, sounds, flavours or games so that even when your dog is relaxed, they remain active, engaged and fit.

There are many ways to enrich your dogs’ experience of lockdown, the most physically powerful are assault courses, promoting agility and speed. They can be made easily using children’s crawl tubes, slides, and even bamboo sticks staked into the lawn. Another solution is Kongs (a chunky and hard-wearing toy that is perfect for garden play) which can be stuffed with treats and frozen, making them ideal for hot weather as we head into Summer. If you’re feeling particularly creative, allowing your dog an area of your garden, sandpit or scrubby area to dig is an inventive option – we apologise in advance for the thorough bathing they’ll need afterwards though.

Whatever method you choose, you can guarantee your dog will have used their reserves of excess energy through physical and mental stimulation, tiring them out and helping them settle better during those long lockdown evenings.

Diet

The single most effective way to help your dog stay fit during lockdown is to provide them with a healthy diet, promoting their wellbeing and shedding unnecessary fat and additives.

Removing man-made ingredients from their bowl and replacing indulgent and often fat-filled red meat-based wet food with lean, cooked white meat like chicken and turkey with the bones and skin completely removed. Fish can also be included in your dogs’ new diet, such as tuna, sardines and salmon, as can leafy greens, eggs, whole grains and vegetables, bringing a nutritional balance to their feeding times.

Instead of sweet treats, exchange this habit for a tiny square of juicy fruit like melon, apple, banana, pear, etc. Take care to keep portions small, as large amounts of sugar and fruit can cause stomach upset and diarrhoea.

Need a bespoke kennel large enough for other lockdown dog activities?

Benchmark Kennels are a manufacturer of bespoke dog kennels, giving dog owners of all breed types, sizes and temperaments a secure and spacious place to stay outdoors. Every kennel is custom-made, meaning you can choose the exact size, material, properties and architecture of the kennel itself to ensure it suits your dog and the outside of your property.

You can order a wooden or WPC eco-thermal dog kennel directly from our website today or contact us via phone to find out more about our excellent range of kennels.

Lockdown is continuing to pose some restrictions on everyday life and, with us cooped up at home for most of the time, your dog may be going a little stir crazy with excess energy. A dog that is not mentally or physically stimulated can start to display boisterous and problematic behaviour, so what better time to go back to basics and train your pooch to walk on a lead, rather than allowing them to tear about your home.

Many people think that dogs know innately know how to walk on a leash, but this skill is one which needs to be learned through consistent training and practice. Dedicating some time each day to practising on the lead means that next time you go for your daily walk, you’ll both be calm enough to value every moment. This skill is especially important if you have a very young or large breed of dog who may end up dragging you down the street without the correct training.

Here are some expert tips from Benchmark Kennels for training your dog to walk safely and calmly on a lead without tugging. Once you have used the right positive training techniques and mastered training a dog to walk to heel, your daily dog walks will be far more enjoyable and stress-free for both you and your furry companion.

Introduce your dog to the collar and lead

Begin by allowing your dog to get used to wearing its collar around the home. If you have had your puppy for a few weeks and are getting ready to take them outdoors for the first time, start putting on their collar for them to wear around the house. The feeling of a collar will be unfamiliar to your dog at first, but after a while, they will hardly notice they are wearing one at all. Your dog can wear its collar for short periods of time inside the house while you are playing, giving them treats and making them feel comfortable. It’s best to start off with lightweight and flexible collars so your dog does not feel restricted or uncomfortable and make sure the collar is not too tight.

Once your dog is not fazed by the collar, you can bring the lead into the picture. Have plenty of treats to hand and practise walking around your home and garden slowly with your dog. Make sure not to pull your dog around with the lead and instead let them walk and move at their own pace, keeping the lead loose so your dog is less aware that they are being restricted.

Training a dog to walk to heel

When your dog is fine wearing a collar and lead and moving around your home with you, you can try to tackle the walking technique. While it takes time for a puppy or untrained dog to heel on a lead, if you can get it right, your life on walks will be so much easier. Make sure you use treats, so your dog has a positive association with walking to heel and practise walking a few steps at a time before standing still and asking your dog to sit. This way, your dog will associate treats with walking by your side and sitting when you stop.

As soon as your dog turns and looks at you reward him with a little treat. After a few tries, you will notice your dog is not only focusing on you but is also coming over to you for the promise of a treat.

Introduce your dog to a distinctive cue sound that signifies food is coming. Some owners like to click and treat, some use an affirmative word like yes and others click with their tongue. Whichever method you choose to use is essentially the same, in a mostly quiet area free of sounds and loud background noise, with your dog on a leash, make the signature sound.

If your dog pulls ahead, do not pull them back or use force to stop them, simply stand still and wait till they stop pulling, then reward them with a treat and go again. Over time, your dog will realise that pulling doesn’t get them where they want to go any quicker and your walks will become far more enjoyable.

Venture outside

You are now ready to test your dog’s skills outside of your usual quiet space at home. There will be many challenges, smells, sounds, and sights to cause distraction, whether you are training a new puppy or an older dog that will test your dog’s newfound walking skills. It is important to be patient with your dog and keep the walks short for a while. If your dog starts to pull ahead on walks out of excitement, be consistent with your at-home training and stop walking, then reward your dog with a treat when they

Always keep your eyes on them, so if your dog looks likely to lunge at something, get suddenly distracted, or start pulling on the lead you can immediately move away or stop walking. If your dog follows suit, always reward them with a treat.

It can be difficult to be 100% consistent when out and about and training a dog to walk on a lead properly, so dedicating certain walks to be complete training sessions can be more effective. On these walks, make sure you are strict and firm with your dog, taking plenty of treats for rewarding your dog when it walks by your heel. On days where you are limited for time, use a different lead, and let your dog off to run around so they can get plenty of exercise without letting any of their lead skills slip away.

Need an outdoor kennel for your dog to spend time?

While dog walking training can be lifechanging for both dog owners and their animals, Benchmark Kennels are manufacturers of bespoke dog kennels, providing dog owners of all breed types, sizes, and temperaments with a secure and spacious place for dogs to kept outdoors. With each kennel being custom-made, you can choose the specific size, material, properties, and structure of your kennel to ensure that it suits your dog and property.

You can order a wooden or WPC eco-thermal dog kennel directly via our website today or enquire over the phone to hear more about our highly respected range of kennels.

The current lockdown situation can be a confusing time for pets, particularly dogs that are used to spending a large portion of the day alone, that now find themselves getting to spend time with their owners all day long. While it’s great that we have this newfound time to strengthen the relationships with our pets, it can be difficult for your dog to understand that it can’t have your undivided attention all the time. 

It’s important to stick to a daily routine and make it clear to your dog when its time to play and when its time for them to occupy themselves or relax. One way to do this is to have set times of the day where you dedicate a significant amount of time to play with your dog. Listen to your dog’s needs and understand when they seem to have the most energy or when they seem to want to sleep, to create a routine that works for both parties. Playtime should be a set hour or even less where you do activities with your dog, giving them your full attention and affection to burn off energy, so you can also have plenty of time to yourself. 

Although it’s definitely a tricky time to tire your dog out physically with us only being allowed one hour of exercise per day, there are plenty of ways to mentally stimulate their dog to avoid any problematic behaviours cropping up as a result of boredom. Benchmark Kennels are highly experienced in keeping large or working dogs active and stimulated, whether you have time to dedicate to play with your dog or you need an activity that can occupy your dog while they spend time in an outdoor kennel. Keep reading for some fun dog activities to try during the lockdown period… 

Fun activities for your dog… 

New tricks

Now is the perfect time to teach your dog some new tricks or commands – something that we’re all guilty of not having enough time for in everyday life. If there are any basic commands that your dog hasn’t yet learned like sit, lie down, stay or recall that you need to work on, tick these off first. However if your dog is ready to move onto more advanced movements, why not be ambitious and try tricks like bark, rollover, figure eight and more. 

What’s great about teaching a dog new tricks is the time it takes time to get right, with time being something that many of us have an abundance of in the current situation. Dedicate small amounts of time each day to working on the new tricks until eventually, your dog knows exactly what to do, either after a particular hand movement or after you say the command. 

Dog training activities are great ways to keep your dogs mind active and functioning healthily, which can leave them tired out and more relaxed for the rest of the day, rather than having them run riot around your home due to a lack of stimulation. Not only does teaching your dog a variety of different commands and tricks benefit dog owners by leaving them with a dog that is far easier to manage, but dogs love learning too and will become far closer to their owners throughout the training process.

Treat hunts 

If you have children, you will be familiar with setting up egg hunts or other types of treasure hunts to keep your kids occupied – this works for dogs too. Why not hide small amounts of tasty dry food or treats around your home for your dog to spend time sniffing out? It’s a surefire way to keep your dog busy and guaranteed, they won’t give up until they’ve found all of them. 

If your dog is on a diet or you don’t want to place dog treats around your home, you can even hide instead. Get all the household involved and play hide and seek with your dog by hiding in different places around the home and calling your dog one-by-one. Not only will this be incredibly exciting for your animal, but it will help to improve their recall and spatial awareness skills too. 

Obstacle courses

If you’re one of those people who has been buying an excessive amount of toilet roll, or you are making a lot more online purchases than usual, you will likely have plenty of cardboard recycling lying around. Empty cardboard boxes that have been hollowed out are great for creating obstacles for your dogs to crawl through, jump over or jump up onto to practise their agility, keep their muscles moving and improve mobility. 

Chewing 

Finally, to help avoid one of the most common problem behaviours shown by dogs, chewing, try to factor this into your dog activities. There is a huge range of chew toys available online such as the well-known Kong toys, which allow dogs to exercise their mind, keep their teeth healthy and stay occupied for long amounts of time. 

If you aren’t able to get your hands on a chew toy during the lockdown period, putting your dogs’ favourite treats in some water and popping them in the freezer will leave you with some frozen treats for your dog to spend time chewing on. Or, you can create tugs of war using pieces of old rope to improve your dogs’ teeth and muscle strength!

For those dog owners that have an outdoor space such as a garden or a dog kennel for their dog to spend time, complex and challenging chew toys using treats are a great way to absorb your dog in an activity for long periods of time without you having to give them your full attention. If your dog is a large breed or a working dog and spends their time in a wooden or WPC kennel outdoors, Kong toys and hiding treats can keep your dog’s mind busy and stimulated during lockdown while you focus on working from home.

Need an outdoor kennel large enough for fun dog activities?

Benchmark Kennels are manufacturers of bespoke dog kennels, providing dog owners of all breed types, sizes and temperaments with a secure and spacious place for dogs to kept outdoors. With each kennel being custom-made, you can choose the specific size, material, properties and structure of your kennel to ensure that it suits your dog and property. 

You can order a wooden or WPC eco-thermal dog kennel directly via our website today or enquire over the phone to hear more about our highly respected range of kennels.

Puppy socialisation is key to a dog’s early development, with experiences in the first few months of a puppy’s life playing a huge role in their eventual personality and behaviour patterns as an adult dog. If you’ve recently welcomed a puppy into your home or you have plans to do so during the lockdown period, you may be worried about how you can stick to a puppy socialisation plan while we’re all stuck at home. Benchmark Kennels are here to share some easy and effective ways to socialise your dog from the comfort of your own home or garden – be prepared to get creative! 

A puppy socialisation plan:

Despite what you may have heard, puppy socialisation is all about the quality of a dog’s early interactions, not quantity. Instead of exposing your dog to as many unique situations or experiences as possible, you should focus on these new experiences being carried out in the right way, so your dog can form positive associations and learn the right responses behaviour-wise.

By gradually opening your dog up in a laid-back way to new smells, objects, surfaces, sounds, and more, you can ensure that your dog develops a friendly and calm personality, rather than a nervous or defensive one. ‘Gradually’ is the keyword here, as if you try to force your new puppy into new experiences or situations before they’re ready, you can actually end up doing more harm than good.

When you’re trying to get your puppy used to being handled, for example, simply grabbing them and picking them up without warning can lead to them becoming defensive or afraid of being held. Always let your dog approach a new smell, object or person in their own time and have plenty of treats to hand for some positive reinforcement. Along the same lines, if your dog is clearly finding a certain experience overly stressful or distressing, remove them from it, don’t force them to endure it or you can cause long term fear and problem behaviours.

Puppy socialisation in the home…

 Handling

One of the main aspects of life to get your puppy accustomed to is being touched and handled by humans. Luckily, this is completely doable in your home by stroking and playing with your dog physically so it becomes familiar and relaxed with the idea of being touched. Not only will this help to build a strong and loving relationship between the two of you, but your dog will learn to associate being physical contact or being held as a positive experience. Familiarising your dog with being stroked in a variety of areas is important for when people can eventually socialise again – you want to be able to relax and know that your dog will be friendly around new people. 

If your new puppy is a large or working dog breed and will be spending a lot of its time in your garden or in an outdoor dog kennel, it’s still essential to make sure it is socialised with regularly. This way, you can avoid any aggressive personality traits or problematic behaviours emerging and ensure that your dog is content when being stroked or touched, no matter what size it grows up to be! Benchmark Kennels are proud manufacturers of high-quality wooden and WPC eco-thermal dog kennels, suitable for puppies or adult dogs that are too large to spend all their time indoors, or for homes that simply want an outdoor space for their dog to spend some time. 

Sounds

As well as making sure your new addition is happy to be held, there are many smells and sounds in the outside world to expose your puppy to. While our homes are naturally quieter than the outdoors with a lot less for dogs to pick up on in terms of smells and sounds, there are still some easy ways to bring the outdoors in. 

Technology is a dog owners best friend in today’s day and age, with there being a wide range of videos and ready-made sounds for puppy socialisation online for you to play around your home or garden and expose your puppy to. Think traffic, fireworks, other dogs barking, children, and more; all sounds that may not naturally occur around your home but that are important for your dog to be exposed to. 

As well as the noise of the outdoor world, you can habituate your puppy with common household noises too, such as the washing machine, dishwasher, hoover, music, TV, running water and more. These may seem like everyday sounds to us, but for a puppy, they can be frightening. Try to build up the variety of sounds your dog is used to until eventually, they aren’t fussed by them and carry on as normal. 

Separation

One aspect of a usual puppy socialisation plan that is going to be particularly difficult during the current lockdown period is separation. If you are to lead a happy life with your furry companion, it is important that your dog is able to spend periods of time on their own, without displaying problem behaviours or becoming anxious. While it may be tempting to spend every minute with your new puppy, this will only cause problems in the long run. With us having no choice but to spend all of our time at home right now, you will need to find new ways to separate yourself from your dog every now and then. 

Installing baby gates or closing doors between rooms while your dog is asleep, playing or occupied is one way to keep some distance between you without causing them distress. By making sure to leave plenty of toys and even treats for your dog to play with, you can slowly build up the amount of time your puppy spends alone to prepare your dog for when our routines do go back to normal and we spend more time out the house. 

Surfaces

If you have only recently brought your puppy home, the chances are it will have been exposed to very few types of surfaces. Try to tick off a variety of floor surfaces that your dog has walked across by gently tempting them with treats, this way, you won’t end up with a distressed dog when it can eventually venture outside for walkies. Some examples of surfaces to familiarise your dog with are concrete, grass, mud, puddles, wooden floors, carpets, and tiles. While you may not have a wide variety of surfaces around your home, the more surfaces your dog is happy to walk on, the better, for when you can take them on walks outdoors and to other people’s houses. 

Routine

Last but not least, when sticking to a puppy socialisation plan in your home, consider your daily routine. In the long term, for your dog to adjust to life with you in the right way, you want your puppy to be adapted to a regular routine in terms of eating, walking, playing and sleeping. This is difficult at the moment with most people’s lockdown routines being varied while working from home, but it’s still advisable to stick to a vague routine in terms of what time you wake up, eat, play, go outdoors and sleep. It may seem like a small issue now, but you will thank yourself in the future to have a dog that vaguely understands what happens at various times of the day, instead of a dog that thinks its playtime 24/7. 

Puppy socialisation outdoors… 

In the garden

As you can see, there are a number of ways to get creative and socialise your puppy within your home. If you’re lucky enough to have your own enclosed garden too, there is even more opportunity. While puppy vaccinations are currently unavailable, a safe and fenced-off garden is a great place to allow your puppy to explore and play, either by themselves or with any other dogs in your household. It’s still important to keep a close eye on your puppy and other pets so you can step in if playtime becomes too rough or your puppy can’t keep up. 

The weather is another aspect of life that your dog won’t have experienced before. Luckily, there’s lots of variation in the weather in the UK so you can take your dog outdoors in the garden to show the rain, sleet, sun, ice and more, so they’re prepared for experiencing these when out on walks. 

On walks

If your puppy has been vaccinated fully, you can start to take them on socially distanced walks around your neighbourhood, making sure to keep your puppy a few metres away from other dog owners and animals at all times. Or, even if your dog hasn’t yet had its vaccinations, you can still take them on walks in your arms so they can see the outside world. While your puppy won’t be able to go near other dogs or people, seeing and hearing different types and sizes of animals, people and cars in the outside world will boost their confidence for when social distancing regulations are lifted. 

Order a wooden outdoor dog kennel for your puppy today!

Although lockdown presents a challenge for new dog owners, it’s clear to see that puppy socialisation can still be done and dogs can still be kept busy around our homes. If you have a new puppy or you are welcoming one into your home sometime soon, an outdoor dog kennel can provide a safe and large space for your dog to spend time in the outdoors, keeping them out of harm’s way while still exposing them to new sounds and smells.

Get in touch with Benchmark Kennel’s team today or order a custom wooden or WPC eco-thermal dog kennel via our website that suits your needs.