Zoomies and Toy Rewards

 Zoooooooom!

I have been guilty of not training the Back Dogs any new tricks for some time.  With Brut's food and toy obsessions, I haven't quite figured out how to reward the dogs without separating them.  Treats are out of the question if all four dogs are around and I wasn't sure if I could use the toys.  But my wheels were still churning... 

With the cooler weather the Back Dogs have also woke up from their summer comas with zoomies everywhere!  I just happened to start rummaging through the toy box, which caught Brut's attention, when he suddenly grab this old, nylon lobster that's been in there for ages, but he didn't care it was suddenly the best toy ever!!  So I got it from him and practiced him weaving through my legs.  He caught on quick and then we played tug-of-war for a few minutes and did it again.  After he tore all the stuffing out, the toy became unimportant and I tried with Silver and Fiona.  All of this happening in between chasing games and subtle attacks.  I used balls, sticks or other toys that would hold their interest long enough to weave through my legs a couple of times and then would throw for fetch or tug-of-war.  It was great!  I'd been trying for so long to figure out a way to use toys so Brut wouldn't become so crazed that it would cause a disaster.  Letting him choose the toy and wear it out as he saw fit, took off all the pressure off of the other dogs.  And we haven't bought new toys for so long, they don't have any high value to Brut and that keeps his toy insanity in check.

I don't know why it took me so long to come up with the idea, because it is the same thing I do when I brush them.  I let them play and run around and brush them in between.  I am beginning to see some great possibilities!!  What a sweet blessing!!