I prefer my working dogs to be smart and stable enough to work, and so I take puppy enrichment very, very seriously — as you likely have figured out by now.
The Wildflowers sleep in the dining room and after breakfast they move to the inside play area in the living room — this is all well before 6:30 a.m., mind you!
Things change constantly for the puppies because mastering SAFE novel experiences are what matters when we are talking puppy enrichment.
And so there is one less yoga mat today and the slide is in a different spot and there are new toys and a new surface — and so on.
The outlets still speak to the puppies!
This toy is stuffed with toys and they have yet to figure out how to unstuff.
After a while, it is time to migrate to the outside play area. Again, there are constant changes to this area — this is today’s version…
The RV is parked on the driveway and serves as one side of the puppy yard — very handy since I stay outside with them.
Daisy hangs out with us for a bit, of course.
All I do is configure things, take photos and make sure they stay alive — the puppy antics are their own ideas.
When puppies are used to mastering constantly changing new experiences, they are good at it — and bold.
This is a series from a tunnel war…
The tunnel collapse and noise is just not a big deal to them — stuff like this happens all the time and it is always okay — hence, confidence.
Here is Mallow…
And now a series from Lupine — she starts at one end before going through the tunnel…
…to emerge at this end, where she goes across the entire series of “stuff” I created for today…
This is Clover — look at what she does…
Larkspur joined the fun…
Confidence comes from mastery — and there is no chance for mastery when things are the boring same stuff every day.
This is a bed that is very light and pops up on one end — like this…
When puppies walk on it, they can ride it down — just like a lightweight teeter! It lands high enough not to hurt the ones underneath.
No problem — nobody is worried or scared because they are used to stuff like this, and they expect it to be just fine.
Today’s water is just a sprinkler but turned up a bit higher — this is Mariposa…
One way to make thing novels is to switch them out for a few days and then bring them back — the structure is back today and it was quite interesting to the puppies. This is Paintbrush.
I think it is a lot of fun to consider how to create safe novel experiences for the Wildflowers to master, and as they enjoy my creations I just imagine all the excellent “wiring” being laid down in their developing brains.
Life with Dogs — a chance to do something REALLY well.
Or not, I suppose.
But I love my puppies and so they get my best.
EVENING: PHOTOS FROM THE DAY
It got pretty hot here today and so we were inside for the afternoon. The puppies are NOT fans of heat.
Sleeping on the slide is a thing…
Lupine
Paintbrush
One of the things puppies did today for the first time is eat while wearing this little harness. A small harness is a safe way to travel with a puppy as it is harder to slip out of than a collar.
Our internet must also be heat intolerant because it is too slow to post anymore tonight.
Good Night, Friends!