Lockdown Tips: Fun Dog Activities To Tire Them Out At Home
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.
- Published in Blog
Vote for the Best Dog Friendly Pub in Yorkshire
At Benchmark Kennels, we are on a mission to ensure all pets are well-cared for, happy and healthy.
From training and safety, to lockdown tips and dog kennels, we’re here to help our customers and their pets. That’s why we want to round up the best dog-friendly pubs in Yorkshire, so that when they reopen, you can take your buddy with you.
It’s no secret that our pets are enjoying the 24/7 company at the moment, but they aren’t prepared for that to suddenly change. We want to help ease your pets back into ‘normal’ life, so vote for your favourite dog friendly pub in Yorkshire so other families know where to go with their pups.
If you can’t see your favourite on the list, tick ‘other’ at the end of the survey and add your favourite.
We will release the top 10 when lockdown restrictions are lifted and we’re able to visit these pubs safely.
*Update* Please note when leaving comments:
Please include the full name and location of the pub you are commenting on. If you wish to add a pub to the list, please use the last checkbox ‘other’ to add your suggestion and we will update our survey. Recommendations in the comment section of this post will not be counted, only those in the ‘other’ checkbox will be counted.
- Published in Blog
Lockdown Tips: How To Follow A Puppy Socialisation Plan
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.
- Published in Blog
Dog Agility Training At Home: Equipment, Tricks & Advice
Dog agility is a recognised dog sport all over the world, with many organisations hosting competitions for owners and dogs of all breeds to showcase their skills and win awards. Despite this, dog agility doesn’t have to be a serious affair that requires you to dedicate hours into training and practise. Dog agility training can simply be a fun activity for you and your pet to enjoy together, with the added benefit that it keeps your dog’s fitness levels up and allows them to burn off plenty of steam.
No matter how seriously you want to take dog agility, you can get stuck into the sport by constructing DIY obstacles for your garden and training yourself and dog over time to become masters of communication. Agility dog training isn’t just about teaching your dog new behaviours but involves learning new skills and developing from a dog owner to a dog handler. It takes time and dedication but the benefits for your dog’s fitness, confidence, anxiety levels and overall wellbeing make it highly rewarding.
The great thing about starting to familiarise your dog with agility obstacles at home is you can take it completely at your own pace and keep it fun, without your dog having to be on its best behaviour. It’s important to keep in mind that some dogs are more naturally gifted at agility than others and not all dogs will enjoy or excel in competitions. Dog agility training at home allows dogs of all breeds, sizes, ages and abilities to have fun without the pressure of an audience.
Dogs love to be active and learn from their masters, both things that agility allows them to do, so what are you waiting for? Grab some old household items and spend some quality time outdoors with your dog. Benchmark Kennels are here to share some of the major benefits of dog agility training with some easy DIY dog training equipment to try.
Is agility training good for dogs?
While dog agility involves dogs following many behavioural commands and might seem like hard work, a dog will never view it as such. Agility gives dogs the opportunity to do what they’re born to do, keeping both their body and mind active and stimulated.
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Reduces anxiety
An active and busy dog is a happy dog, which is why behavioural issues and separation anxiety is seen more in dogs that spend a lot of time lazing around or on their own. By starting an activity that involves both you and your dog being up on your feet and learning new commands, you can tire your pet out mentally and physically.
If you find your dog is still energetic after a long walk this is usually because their mind has not been active – agility ticks all boxes, leading to a healthy and happy dog. Once you’ve started regular dog behaviour training using agility obstacles, you are sure to notice far less negative behaviours in your dog when you do have to leave them in outdoor dog kennels or in your home for periods of time.
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Trust and communication
As well as improving the overall behaviour of your dog, dog agility training also hugely strengthens the bond between an owner and their dog. Your dog will learn to trust you completely as both your communication skills develop. Agility training essentially involves the two of you learning a mutual language to communicate with each other, consisting of body language and verbal commands. As your dog learns to understand your every move, your relationship can only get stronger, benefitting you in a range of other situations where you need your animal to behave and stay by your side.
What age should you start agility training?
It’s important not to start using agility obstacles or courses until your vet has approved this. A young dog below one or two years can severely damage their bones if they try to jump or move in certain ways while they’re still growing.
Although you need to wait till your dog is fully grown to start agility, being proactive with any dog behaviour training from an early age is still important if you want to start your dog’s behaviour on solid foundations. Teaching your dog basic key commands like ‘sit’, ‘lie down’, ‘stay’ and more will always be valuable in everyday life but especially when it comes to trying your hand at agility, whether you plan to do it for some fun or to compete. A dog that is already familiar with learning commands and can listen to your communication will find it far easier to pick up agility tricks than a dog who has been allowed to run riot all through its early life.
How to start dogs in agility training:
Attention
First off, you need to make sure your dog can focus its whole attention on you. Try to set up any dog training equipment in an area of your garden with minimal distractions at first, to give you and your dog the best shot at learning new tricks. Once your dog has shown that is can listen carefully and follow your lead, you can start to practise in slightly busier areas to build up your dogs ability to block out potential distractions.
Body and spatial awareness
Although our dogs are eager to learn and are intelligent by nature, when it comes to some practical skills like spatial and body awareness, they can fall short. Luckily, you can help your dog to understand its own size and be aware of its limbs and where they’re being placed. Rather than investing in legitimate dog agility training equipment, use narrow household items to practise your dog jumping up and keeping its balance.
The ‘back up’ trick, in particular, requires dogs to think of each individual leg as they walk backwards, benefitting both spatial awareness and coordination skills – and an ideal command to teach to help with agility!
Flexibility
Dog agility training is great for improving your dog’s flexibility as well as their fitness. Certain tricks, like weaving between poles and bowing, help to stretch a dog’s muscles in ways they wouldn’t normally get to. To start off with, teach your dog to weave between your legs. Once your dog understands how to move their body in certain ways, you can move onto helping your dog practise weaving around poles or other obstacles. Improved flexibility has major benefits for your dog’s mobility and joints, something which will be hugely valuable for your animal in later life.
Handling
While the main focus is on your dog learning certain moves and tricks, the methods used by you as a handler are key to grasping basic agility training. You need to use positive techniques and have a trusting relationship already established with your pet if you are to succeed.
Transforming from a dog owner into a handler involves using firm language and positive reinforcements such as treats or attention to reward your dog when necessary. It’s important to be patient and tackle each trick and agility obstacle one by one and gradually, to avoid confusing your dog.
What obstacles are in a dog agility course?
Agility is an easy and highly accessible sport to get into. Don’t go out and invest in a range of agility dog training equipment when you can create DIY options that are just as effective for beginners.
- Contact obstacles
There are a few contact obstacles such as the ‘plank walk’ which involve your dog jumping up or walking along objects. While there are specific dog planks on the market, save yourself some money and start out using park benches or other long items around your garden to help your dog practise balancing and become familiar with moving along an object.
- Tire jumping
Use safe objects such as large spare tires or hula hoops to practise your dogs jumping. Keep your DIY agility obstacles at a reasonable height of around two inches to avoid your dog straining its back and use a training lead to direct your dog to jump through, not around, the object. Using plenty of treats and consistent ‘jump’ commands should have your dog ‘jumping through hoops’ for you in no time.
- Tunnels
Got any old kids play tunnels in the back of a shed somewhere? These are ideal replacements for agility equipment and perfect for teaching your dog to run through tunnels. You can even use hollowed out cardboard boxes lined up. Dogs are naturally wary of unknown and dark spaces, so you will likely need to offer a treat or inventive at the other end while your dog gets used to this obstacle.
- Weave poles
Weaving is arguably the hardest agility obstacle for dogs to learn. It involves your dog bending in ways it likely hasn’t had to do before, so you should be prepared for the long process and plenty of patient practise required. At first, use sticks, brooms, plastic cones or any long object that you can stick in the ground on diagonals to each other, allowing you to build up the amount your dog has to bend its body. With enough practise, your dog will understand how to do the movements and will be able to weave in and out at great speed!
Need a wooden dog kennel to help with your agility training?
Investing a quality wooden or WPC eco-thermal dog kennel is a great way to keep your dog safe and secure outdoors when you’re not training. With dog agility training being mentally and physically stimulating for your pet, you can use an outdoor kennel as space for them to relax and unwind out of harm’s way, without having to leave them unattended in your home.
Benchmark Kennel’s are a leading dog kennel manufacturer, offering custom kennels with quick installation to homes all across the UK. Get in touch with their team of dog experts today or customise a kennel online and have it delivered in as little as seven days!
- Published in Blog
Choosing A Dog Breed: What To Consider
Welcoming a dog into your home and forming a relationship with your animal can bring huge amounts of joy to a household. Whether you are a large family looking for a dog that can entertain and play happily with children, or you live alone and simply want a loving companion to keep you company, dogs are ideal pets. Of course, though, it’s essential to think long and hard about the decision to get a new dog. While they make great members of the family, they also demand constant care, attention, exercise and most of all time. You should think of choosing a new dog to bring home like having another child – you have to be ready.
Rushing or making an impromptu decision to get a dog can only lead to problems down the line when you realise you simply don’t have space, time or money to meet your dogs needs both practically and emotionally throughout their life. You will be far happier welcoming a dog into your family when you are certain that it’s the right decision.
At Benchmark Kennels, we support households all over the UK with our custom-made WPC eco-thermal or wooden dog kennels that can help you manage your dogs and provide them with a safe space, making life as a dog owner a lot easier. Perhaps you’re considering welcoming a large dog into your family, or you already have a dog and are worried about how a new one will cope? An outdoor dog kennel can put your mind at ease, allowing your dog somewhere comfortable and warm to spend time out of harm’s way.
To help you in your decision of choosing a new dog or breed that suits you, we’ve highlighted some of the key aspects to consider.
How do you choose a dog?
While you inevitably may be swayed towards dog breeds that are typically deemed to be ‘cute’, appearance should never be the deciding factor in choosing a dog. Ultimately, there are far more important factors such as size, temperament, coat type and more to take into account that will determine whether a dog fits in with your household.
Size
Although appearance is not important, size definitely is. For example, if you live in a small house with no garden, a large dog breed would not be ideal. You and your dog would end up feeling claustrophobic and your dog would have nowhere outdoors to run off steam, which would require you to take your dog on multiple walks a day.
As well as thinking about the size of your home and garden space, size is also important if you have small children or other pets living at your property. While large dogs are actually usually more docile, they can be intimidating for other pets such as cats and require you to be wary of leaving them alone with young children due to their natural strength.
Despite this, outdoor dog kennels are ideal for those who want a big dog but don’t have room to allow them to roam free indoors. Having a large dog kennel installed at your property with plenty of space for the dog to roam around, play and rest mean you can keep a happy pet without your dog making your home feel a lot smaller.
Temperament
Another tip to finding the perfect dog breed for you is to consider temperament. Yes, all dogs have their own unique personality, but breeds as a whole still carry natural instincts which determine how they behave. For example, some were bred for herding, others for guarding or hunting – whatever a dog breed was originally made for, they will still have some of these instincts ingrained in their behaviour patterns.
Keep in mind that mixed breed dogs are usually a combination of their parents. Many mixed-breeds have grown in popularity in recent years, like the ‘Cavapoo’ and ‘Cockerpoo’ which carry both spaniel and poodle characteristics making them ideal family pets.
Lifestyle
As well as considering the temperament of a dog breed, think about your own temperament and lifestyle too! Do you want a dog that’s highly energetic and can accompany you on runs, hikes and such? Or, are you after a dog that can be largely calm and offer protection when needs be? You should aim to find a dog that fits in with the lifestyle of your household so you can largely stick to your usual routines.
Another part of your lifestyle to keep at the forefront of your mind is how often you are out of the house and would need to leave your dog alone. While no dog should be left alone for long periods of time, some dog breeds are more prone to anxiety than others and don’t deal well with being on their own.
Finally, think about your dog’s lifestyle. If you are thinking about welcoming an adult dog or rescue dog into your life, it’s worth doing plenty of research and asking questions about their life so far. A rescue dog who has lived with an elderly person that’s died, for example, may find it traumatic or become aggressive if it’s brought into a busy household with young children. You should learn as much as you can about your prospective dog’s previous experiences to make sure you are a good fit for them, as well as the other way round.
Age
Although puppies may seem more appealing, adult dogs can be far better options for families that are busy or households that don’t want to deal with the initial training process. Adult dogs are also usually a lot calmer, less destructive and more socialised so will be able to slot into a home and adapt to your household easier than a baby can, who needs teaching how to behave.
If you do feel like you have the time for a puppy in your life though, they can be great additions to your family and allow you to make sure your dog is used to your way of life from birth, rather than bringing an older dog into an unfamiliar environment that they may not react well to.
Cost
Last but not least, think about your budget and how much you have to invest in a new dog. Aside from the initial cost of the animal, there are many ongoing aspects to consider such as vet bills, pet insurance, dog beds, equipment, food, and much more.
Types of dog breeds:
- Toy dogs – these are small dog breeds that require less but still regular exercise.
Examples: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Pug, Chihuahua.
- Terriers – bred for hunting rats and other vermin so are typically confident and intelligent dogs.
Examples: Jack Russell, Border Terrier, Bull Terrier.
- Hounds – working dogs bred to hunt meaning they are highly independent and less affectionate by nature.
Examples: Beagle, Dachshund, Whippet.
- Working dogs – bred to carry out a specific job such as guarding.
Examples: Boxer, Husky, Rottweiler, Doberman
- Pastoral – bred to work with livestock so are highly intelligent and eager to learn from their owners.
Examples: German Shepherd, Border Collie.
- Gundogs – bred to hunt game and work alongside humans meaning they’re highly sociable animals.
Examples: Labrador Retriever, Cocker Spaniel.
Need an outdoor dog kennel for your new family member?
The Benchmark Kennel’s range of kennels offers solutions to suit dogs of all shapes, sizes and temperaments, whether you need a small kennel to use as a temporary place to keep your dog or a larger insulated and reinforced wooden dog kennel for a large dog to live. Give us a call or order a custom kennel today.
- Published in Blog
Top 5 Family Protection & Guard Dogs
All dog owners will know that once welcomed in the home, a dog becomes part of the family. A happy dog is there for affection, playtime, or simply just some company whenever you need them to be. Aside from making lovely family pets though, you may also want a dog that can offer a sense of security and protect you and other family members when necessary and a family protection dog can help do that.
When researching family protection dogs, you might assume to go for dog breeds known for their aggression, but this is the wrong approach. Look instead for traits like loyalty, intelligence, bravery and obedience.
You should be able to train and control your dog to be protective in the right ways and at the right times. A dog that becomes highly aggressive in response to every slight noise or movement can actually do more harm than good for family life. Training is key for you to end up with a reliable family pet that knows the difference between intruders or danger and innocent passersby.
So, which are the best family guard dogs? Benchmark Kennels are here to share their favourite family-friendly dog breeds that can also offer protection from potential dangers at your home or property.
English Bullmastiff
To kick-off, we have English Bullmastiff. Strong and powerful, the sheer look of this breed should be enough to prevent potential intruders or threats from coming anywhere near your home. Bullmastiffs are large, muscular and heavy animals, making them a match for any human or other animal that poses a threat.
Aside from the natural strength and immense power they can utilise when necessary though, they are extremely docile dogs. Until there is a threat present, a Bullmastiff’s temperament is largely calm, quiet and loving. Their relaxed nature makes them suitable family protection dogs for those with small children that will want to give their pet plenty of affection and love, without the worry of your dog becoming agitated.
On top of this, English Bullmastiffs, like most dogs, are completely loyal to their owners. They will fiercely protect their ‘pack’ at all costs, so it’s important to teach them the right types of behaviour from a young age. With this breed of dog being so strong, strict and consistent training is required from a young age to ensure that English Bullmastiff understands who is boss and can be easily kept under control with simple commands later in life.
If you’re considering welcoming a family protection dog of this size into your home, an outdoor dog kennel is advised. This way, you can keep your dog safe, secure, and under control without having to allow it free roam of your property. At Benchmark Kennels, our top-quality dog kennels can provide a temporary or permanent home for your family’s protection dog. Available in a range of sizes to suit a large or smaller breed of guard dog, you can also choose from a wooden or WPC eco-thermal kennel to keep your family dog warm and dry in any weather.
Doberman Pinscher
Next up is the Doberman Pinscher, a breed originally bred for guard dog purposes meaning these traits are practically ingrained in the dogs still today. Dobermans as a whole are extremely intelligent animals, willing and eager to listen and learn from their owners. Because of their intelligence and athleticism, it’s essential to train them right and keep them in check if you want them to fit into family life as well as offer security.
Doberman Pinschers are large in size and extremely athletic animals, so are fitting family guard dogs for larger properties, where they will need to be agile and fast to detect or catch intruders. Their strong build, intelligence and alert nature make them a popular dog breed used in the police and army, though this doesn’t mean they can’t make lovable family pets too.
German Shepherd
German Shepherds are a common dog breed in the UK, popular for their stunning long-haired appearance and sweet nature. They’re herding dogs by nature, originally used on farms to protect sheep from predators – hence the name. While they make lovely family pets, they’re also widely used in the police force due to their strong sense of smell, speed, strength and obedience.
A German Shepherd is an extremely versatile breed. Their willingness to learn and adapt to training means you can mould your pet to fulfil practically any role, whether your main goal is to have an affectionate and loving pet or a guard dog that lives primarily outdoors.
Whereas Doberman’s are naturally quick to be on the defence, a German Shepherd will only do so if it feels their family or ‘herd’ is in imminent danger, making them an ideal family-friendly guard dog. A well-socialised German Shepherd can provide your family home with peace of mind knowing that there is protection available, without the worry of unpredictable or uncontrollable behaviour.
Giant schnauzer
Another more unexpected contender when it comes to the best guard dogs for a family is the Giant Schnauzer. While the Schnauzer isn’t usually associated with protection or intimidation, the size and strength of a Giant Schnauzer make it the perfect mix of family pet and guard dog.
When they need to be a Giant Schnauzer can be extremely loud with their volume being enough on its own to scare or warn off any potential dangers. Unlike the Miniature Schnauzer which can be found in many family homes across the UK, the Giant Schnauzer needs plenty of training and attention if it’s to mix well with children and live happily in your home.
Getting a Giant Schnauzer from a young age is important to ensure plenty of socialisation, early foundational training and consistent mental and physical stimulation. A happy Schnauzer can be a perfect family member, but a bored one can be the complete opposite and lead to the wrong kinds of guarding behaviour.
Bernese mountain dog
Finally, there’s the Bernese Mountain dog. It’s the sheer size and volume of these dogs that put them in the category of family protection dogs, nothing more. By nature, they are especially calm and unaggressive, but this shouldn’t be confused with a lack of alertness. Bernese Mountain dogs are a highly intelligent breed so are ideal to use as watchdogs and are great as a scare tactic if any potential intruders do pass by your property.
All in all, this type of mountain dog is a cuddly, loyal and obedient family protection dog, perfect for families with children of all ages that have space to welcome a large furry friend into their home.
Best guard dogs for a family – who wins?
The right family protection or guard dog for your home will be completely dependent on the size of your property, the ages of your family members and the role you want your pet to fill. Whichever breed you end up going for though, keep in mind that training and rules are the only way to keep a guard dog in check. Passive owners lead to disobedient and unruly large dogs that can wreak havoc in your home and become intimidating to family members or visitors, so be prepared to dedicate time and attention to your pet.
It’s also worth mentioning that although certain dog breeds are better suited for protecting families in terms of build and strength, it still largely comes down to the individual temperament of your animal. Each dog is different, with some being a lot harder to train than others. Always be aware of your dogs’ character and try to understand that not every dog will be made for protection, despite their size!
Family protection dogs as pets – need advice?
If you’re settled on a breed and are ready to bring your new puppy or dog home, it’s time to think about where your large dog will live at your home. Benchmark Kennel’s manufacture and install sturdy, indestructible and highly secure dog kennels to properties all across the UK. Get in touch with our friendly team to hear more or order your custom dog kennel via our website at your convenience.
- Published in Blog
How To Stop A Dog Barking: Positive Techniques
Owning a dog and forming a special relationship with your canine can be highly rewarding. Despite this, there are still many challenges that come with it and need to be overcome for you and your dog to live happily together. Excessive barking is one aspect of being a dog owner that can put pressure on your relationship and lead to long term troubles if allowed to get out of hand.
Before we get into how to stop a dog barking, it’s important to recognise that barking is a completely normal dog behaviour. It’s the only way for dogs to communicate verbally with their owners or each other and shouldn’t be misunderstood. A dog barking should only be considered as a problem if it becomes excessive or when you believe your dog is barking for all the wrong reasons.
Another aspect of barking behaviour to acknowledge is that there is no quick fix when it comes to how to stop your dog from barking – it won’t happen overnight. If you’re ready to tackle your dogs excessive barking, your household will need to understand the long process ahead and make sure to be consistent with the techniques or commands used in training.
Why does your dog bark so much?
A large part of training your dog to bark less is to pinpoint the motivation behind the negative behaviour. There are many reasons for a dog to bark, whether it’s for attention, out of aggression, or due to separation. Unfortunately, some motivations are far more negative and hard to unpack than others.
Finding the source of your dog’s excessive barking is most of the battle as it allows you to tailor your training methods accordingly. Once you have a strong understanding of why your dogs bark, it’s all about removing the motivation or removing your dog from the environment the motivation is in.
Benchmark Kennels are leading suppliers of high-quality wooden dog kennels and runs to properties across the UK, giving dogs a sheltered and spacious space to relax or play, minimising the stress put on your dog and you.
Let’s take a look at some of the common reasons for excessive barking and how to go about training your pooches.
Training techniques to stop excessive barking:
Always keep in mind that positive and consistent techniques result in long term behavioural changes in your pets, not shouting or negative punishments. While reprimanding your dog might stop dogs barking there and then, it can harm your relationship and lead to the barking getting worse in the long run.
How to stop your dog barking at night…
If you find your dog’s excessive barking starting as soon as the lights are out at night and you’re ready for bed, ignorance is key. A dog that barks at night will believe that their barking gets attention, so you will need to teach them the opposite. By going in to see your dog and telling it to be quiet, you are essentially rewarding the barking behaviour.
If you consistently ignore your dogs barking at night, eventually they will give up and learn that barking has no positive effects. Of course, it can be incredibly difficult to ignore your distressed animal, but being strict with yourself and your pet will lead to a happier dog in the long term.
How to stop your dog barking when left alone…
Another common reason for excessive barking is separation anxiety, which is usually a result of a dog being left alone for too long or a dog not being exposed to spending time alone as a puppy. While separation anxiety is hard for a dog to get over, there are still positive ways to reduce barking and keep your dog as calm as possible when left alone, one of these simply being exercise.
Tiring your dog out mentally and physically helps to keep a dog calm and reduce the amount of barking when left alone. Sticking to positive routines like taking your dog(s) for long walks before and after work can help to avoid your pets being under-stimulated or becoming bored, which is when barking and other problem behaviours start to occur. Like humans, dogs need to release energy, so if a dog is left with no positive ways to do this, it will result in naughty behaviour to occupy itself.
Always do plenty of research to pinpoint how much exercise your dog’s breed needs per day for a happy dog that relaxes or sleeps when left alone, rather than causing havoc.
How to stop your dog barking in the garden…
While most dogs in the UK are allowed free roam of their family homes as pets, this is not the case for all. Many households may have rescued or fostered animals that aren’t able to be housetrained, or may simply wish to keep their dogs outdoors in the garden for some of the day.
Dog kennels and runs are a great way to provide your dog with plenty of room to play, while also keeping them contained and reducing the likelihood of them being motivated to bark. You can have a dog kennel installed in a quieter area with fewer distractions like passersby or noise, so your dog can stay calm and occupy itself with stimuli inside the kennel. While dog pens are ideal for keeping your dog safe and quiet, your dog will still need plenty of walks and toys to keep them occupied. Leave your dog activities like food-dispensing and chew toys to keep them busy while outdoors. A stimulated dog won’t feel the need to bark for attention!
How to stop your dog barking at other dogs…
If your dog barks at other dogs when out for a walk or when they pass by your garden or home, this is likely due to frustration. Your dog will want to say hello or play, but it needs to learn that this isn’t always possible or allowed.
To tackle this type of excessive barking, you should take your dog to an area where there is usually plenty of motivation for his frustrated barking and reward them with treats for staying quiet when other dogs are close by. Over time, your dog will learn to associate treats with being quiet and you can start to prolong the amount of time between each treat being rewarded.
How to stop your dog barking at the door…
It’s common for dogs to bark when there’s a knock at the door or the doorbell goes, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle with the idea. Perhaps you have friends or family that are unfamiliar or warier of dogs, or you simply want a quieter home? With positive training and commands, you can stop your dog from reacting to postmen or visitors and keep the peace.
One way to go about this is the idea of incompatible behaviour. When the door goes or another dog walks past the window, instruct your dog to do something that isn’t compatible with barking. For example, tell your dog to go into its crate or lie on its bed as the doorbell goes. It will take patience, but your dog will eventually follow your instructions without a peep.
How to stop your dog barking at the window…
Another option, if you are experienced in teaching dog tricks, is to introduce the ‘quiet’ command. Being the opposite of ‘speak’, ‘quiet’ is a useful trick to master and can be used to stop your dog from barking in a number of situations, whether someone knocks at the door or your dog becomes over-excited or frustrated when people walk past your home. Make sure you give your dog a treat when it stops barking and be persistent with your rewards to reinforce the positive behaviour.
In the long run, it is training methods and rewards that answer the question of how to stop a dog from barking. The ‘quick fix’ items such as shock collars, sprays, and rattle cans may cease the barking but they can damage your dog’s mental health and harm your precious relationship. For a happy, healthy and quieter dog, simply identify why they are barking and follow the techniques to suit.
Order a custom dog kennel for your home today!
Get in touch with the Benchmark Kennels team today or order a customised wooden dog kennel via our website. Choose the size, position and features of your kennel to suit your requirements, whether you need draft excluders, anti-chew sides or galvanised walls to keep your dogs happy and safe.
- Published in Blog
Dog Safety Around The Home: Important Tips For You & Your Animal
Dogs are wonderful animals that can make perfect additions to any family. If you don’t dog-proof your property though, they can end up putting themselves and your family members in danger. Dogs function primarily using their sense of smell, with puppies using their noses to discover the world and understand their surroundings. Because of this, without proper training and dog safety measures in place, your dog can end up venturing places it shouldn’t be or chewing, eating and generally destroying items around your home.
As dog owners, it’s our job to teach our pets right and wrong, but also to make sure there are plenty of safety measures in place to keep our dogs out of danger and minimise risks. It’s impossible to keep your eyes on your dog 24/7, so making some adjustments to your home, garden and even your car can help to put your mind at ease. On top of this, dog safety isn’t just about removing the potential dangers around your property but also learning ways to keep your dog safe when on walks or in public places.
Benchmark Kennels are leaders in designing and manufacturing dog kennels that keep dogs of all sizes and natures safe and happy when outdoors. Here are our top dog safety tips for looking after your animals around the home, when travelling and during hot or cold weather…
Dog safety at home
Child-safety latches and bins
Similar to having toddlers or young children around the house, if they can reach, dogs and puppies can find their way into cupboards or drawers and wreak havoc, especially if they can smell food. Using child-locks or latches on your cupboards at ground level can prevent your dog from getting into any and stop them from getting hold of any potentially harmful substances or food.
Most dog owners will have experienced coming home from work to find a disaster zone in your home caused by your dog finding its way into the rubbish bin. To keep your dogs out of the rubbish, prevent them from eating anything out of date or harmful, and to avoid the huge clean-up involved, make sure your bin is pet-proof or that it’s stored somewhere your dogs don’t have access to. Keeping bins in kitchen cupboards with child-locks is one solution, however there are also a number of dog-proof bins on the market.
If you have big dogs living in your home, it’s also important to keep any exposed food or edible items off the sides when your dogs are left alone. Always store food out of reach and harm of your dog to avoid your pet ingesting anything possibly toxic that can damage their health or even be fatal. By storing food and other edible or chewable items in secure places, you can leave your dog alone without having to worry about what they’re up to.
Electric wires
Another household item that poses a threat to your dogs, whether you’re out the house or you’ve simply popped out the room, is electric wires. Dogs love to chew on rubber items, so it’s important to steer them away from the various wires around your property and instead provide them with plenty of toys for stimulation or teething purposes.
There are plenty of nifty ways to keep wires concealed or stored away that help with dog safety and help to avoid your electric items becoming damaged or broken. Wire concealers and covers are completely affordable, prevent your dogs from being electrocuted and help to improve the appearance of your home all at the same time.
Plants and garden dog safety
Whether you’re proud of your property’s garden or not, when welcoming a dog into the family, their safety has to come first. To ensure the safety of your dogs when they’re playing outdoors or are let out for the toilet, make sure there are no poisonous or toxic plants or shrubs around your garden that your dog could get their paws on when you’re not looking. There are a number of common household plants, like Poinsettia and Aloe Vera, that contain dangerous toxins potentially fatal for your pet.
Dog security camera
Next up is technology, which all dog owners should be making the most of to keep an eye on their animals and keep them safe, even when you’re not around. There are many dog security cameras on the market that allow you to monitor your pet’s behaviour both when they’re inside and outdoors. You can even invest in treat-dispensing cameras with microphones, so your dog feels like you’re right there with them!
If you leave your dog in a specific room of your home when you head out, install a camera somewhere out of reach to make sure they’re not distressed or chewing anything they shouldn’t be. On the other hand, if you use outdoor dog kennels to keep your dog safe when you’re not in, install a dog security camera to make sure your dogs are happy and stimulated when home alone.
Dog kennels or crates
You might think that keeping your dog in an enclosed space is bad for their mental and physical wellbeing, but actually, the opposite is true. If you use a dog kennel or crate in the right way, your dog will learn to associate their kennel as its own territory and welcome the opportunity to spend time there. On top of this, dog kennels are excellent ways to keep your dog(s) safe and secure, whether you choose to keep your dogs in outdoor wooden kennels all or some of the time.
Not all dog breeds are suited life indoors, which is when high-quality, secure and insulated dog kennels come in handy. If you have an extra-large dog breed or a dog that’s not able to be house-trained, Benchmark Kennel’s range of WPC eco-thermal or wooden dog kennels can keep your dog out of harm’s way while also providing plenty of room for your dog to play and keep stimulated.
If you have more than one dog at your property and they have a history of not getting along or behaving destructively, it’s important to make sure they’re both kept safe from potential risks around your home but also from each other. Outdoor dog kennels made from wood or a wood-plastic composite are completely escape-proof and can be customised to accommodate however many dogs you have at your property and keep them separate.
Dog safety with Benchmark Kennels
If you’re worried about any potential risks to your dog’s safety around your property or are concerned about leaving your dog alone indoors, an outdoor dog kennel is a great option. You can choose the right size, structure, materials and features to suit your dog’s breed and personality to provide your pet with a completely safe and secure place to spend time.
Get in touch with the Benchmark Kennel’s team to hear more about our range of kennels or head straight to our website to order a custom wooden kennel today.
- Published in Blog