Tips from the Pros To Keep Your Pup Happy This Winter
The snow is officially back on the ground in Alexandria. The fluffy, winter wonderland is beautiful, but the chilly temperatures can be a little ruff for our furry friends. Entertaining cooped-up canines can be a full-time job for pet owners. That’s why we went to the experts at Wholistic Hound Academy, Alexandria's premier dog training and learning center, to see how we can conquer this stir-crazy season and keep our pups pleased. 
Mental Stimulation
A dog’s mind is a terrible thing to waste. Wholistic Hound Academy’s Founder and CEO Sandy Modell tells us that just 10 minutes of mental stimulation for pups is equivalent to a half hour of exercise. This is a game-changer! What are some of the best brain games? Sandy says anything from puzzle games, impulse control tactics (like tug), and teaching new tricks work wonders. This is great news since our dogs love playing with us, and engaging in interactive play is one of the easiest ways to keep them mentally stimulated. 
Interactive Treat Toys
Step aside, standard squeaky toys. Interactive treat toys are multi-functional. They are treat dispensers, bouncy balls, and chew toys, all in one! Interactive toys require your dog to complete a task to receive dispensed food. Sandy says they can assist with behavior modification and keep puppies well behaved in your home. You can pick one up for your pup today at The Dog Park! 
Enroll in a Class
Sometimes we just need to get out of the house and so do our pets! Wholistic Hound Academy has courses for every dog, no matter what age or skill level. Sandy continues her mission of empowering dog owners by teaching them how to communicate with their dogs, how to reinforce the behaviors that they want, and how to respond to both their dog’s good and the bad behaviors. Her goal is to teach people how to train their dogs to make incredibly brilliant choices, so that they can both live better, happier, and easier lives together. 
Want to learn more about Wholistic Hound Academy?Head to their website for more information!