With many of us in home isolation, dogs everywhere are rejoicing! But rather than binging on Netflix and finding yourself exiting lockdown 10kgs heavier, we thought we’d come up with a list of things to do with your dog in isolation.  

1. Work on Behavioural Issues or Teach Your Dog a New Command

Dogs need time, patience and constant reinforcement when learning a new behaviour so now is the perfect time to teach your dog a new trick or retrain old habits. Not only is it fun to show your friends how clever your dog is, but a well trained dog is also more confident, less anxious, and happier because they can communicate with you better.

If you need help with a specific issue reach out to our friends at Bondi Behaviouralist. They are experts in dog behaviour and training. Follow them on instagram for more tips and “ah huh” moments so you can train and understand your dog effectively.

2. Make Home Made Dog Treats

Whether you’re using dog treats to reward, train, or pamper your dog, making your own healthy dog treats is a great way to pass the time. It also allows you to maximise the nutrient content, make allergy alternatives and save money. You can also make them in the size and shape you want so they fit perfectly in any treat ball including our Barker Ball.

We love Healthy Homemade Dog Treats by Serena Faber-Nelson. Packed with mouth-watering images, these simple recipes are nutritious, delicious, and budget friendly. 

3. Exercise and Playing With Your Dog

It can be hard to juggle an active pup who craves constant attention while you’re working from home. Taking regular breaks to play with your dog decreases depression and anxiety for both you and your dog. It also encourages your dog to problem solve, build resilience and confidence.

If you can’t get outside to exercise with your dog, you can make your own dog toys using items you have around the house. But if DIY is not your thing, you can invest in quality dog toys that will entertain, and stimulate your dog between naps.

View our collection of designer dog toys here.

4. Start An Instagram Account For Your Dog

Yes this is a thing…a big thing! Dog instagram accounts are a dog lovers paradise. Not only are they dedicated to cute pictures to brighten up your day, some are also serious businesses with sponsorships, ambassador programs and die hard fans. Jiffpom is a dog influencer with a dedicated 10 million followers.

If your aim is to gain a following, posting consistent content is key. Think about what theme or content you want your dogs instagram account to feature. Some ideas are dog memes, beautifully staged photos, dog adventures, or funny costumes. 

5. Learn To Take Beautiful Photos of Your Dog

Whether you have an Instagram account for your dog or just enjoy filling your phone with cute images of them sleeping, learning to take beautiful photos is easy and cost effective.

We asked our friends at Dogfolk, the specialists in lifestyle photography for dogs, for some tips on how to take the best photos of your dog. Here's what they said:

• Natural light. Good lighting is key to capturing your fur baby’s best features. Find a window in your home and position your dog in front of it. A spot with soft, filtered light is ideal. If the sunlight is harsh and pouring directly through your windows, hang up a thin white sheet to help diffuse the light. 

• Focus on their eyes. We all know that eyes are the window to the soul, so make sure their eyes are in focus! Look for catchlights too. Catchlights are those little white reflections of light in your dog’ eyes. Capture these to bring depth, emotion and life to your photographs.  

• Turn off lamps and lights. Sounds odd we know, but artificial lighting such as lamps and down lights really change the colour tone of a space. This results in your dog looking a little too warm or cool, and not their natural colour. Refer to back point 1 - natural light is a must!

• Get down to their level. Capture your dog’s features and quirks by getting up close and down to their level. If your dog is laying on the floor, lay in front of them, stomach to the ground, and position your camera in between you. If they are sitting on the couch, crouch down so you’re at the same height. 

• Clear your space. Ensure your fur baby is the central focus of your photo by decluttering your space. Clear away any bright/harsh coloured objects or unsightly items such as cords or coffee cups. Your background can detract from the main star of the show, no matter how adorable your pup is!

• Hide the treats. The joy of photographing your dog in-home is capturing them at their most calm and content, where their real personality shines. Treats can switch your dog’s temperament from easy-going to over-excited, which is reflected in the images. Controversial we know, but we swear by it!

• Work with your dog’s clock. The best photos depend on your dog’s mood! Be patient and observe your dog acting naturally. When the moment is right (it may be a yawn, a stretch, or glancing at you) start snapping. Capturing moments as they naturally happen reflects your dog’s true nature, creating a beautiful photograph of your fur baby you’ll always treasure.

You can book an in-home photo session with Dogfolk here. 

6. Treat Your Dog To Their Own Doggie Day Spa

Not all dogs enjoy bath time but keeping your dog well groomed plays an essential role in the health of your dog’s coat and skin. Here’s some tips to ensure the experience is as pleasant as possible.

• Brush your dog before a bath. Matted hair holds water, leaving your dog with irritated skin. You may want to put a cotton ball in each ear to keep water out. It helps prevent ear infections and irritation.
• Use lukewarm water. Dog skin is different from ours, and hot water can burn dogs more easily. Bath water should never be hotter than what you’d run for a human baby. Keep it even cooler for large-breed dogs who can easily overheat.
• Talk to your pet in a calm and reassuring voice. Some dogs will eventually learn that you’re not torturing them, although others will continue to hide under the kitchen table whenever you get out a towel.
• Invest in a high quality Dog Shampoo and avoid using human shampoo. It dries their skin less and is often formulated to protect sensitive skin. Work the shampoo into a gentle lather and massage it all over your dog’s body, being careful not to get soap in their eyes. If your dog has a very coarse coat or their fur tangles easily, we recommend following with a nourishing Dog Conditioner.
• Rinse well. Any soap left in their fur can irritate your dog’s skin once they’re dry. Rinse, rinse, and repeat the rinse.
• Towel dry your dog then leave them to Air-dry. Hot air from a human blow-dryer can be too hot for their skin. Either air-dry or use a blow-dryer designed for dogs; its lower temperatures won’t cause itching or dandruff.
• Reward your dog. Follow up with plenty of praise, petting, or play.

You can find our full range of dog grooming products here.