Fun Activites To Do With Your Dog:

Shake-A-Paw:

This will start with your dog in a sitting position. At the beginning you are going to do most of the work. Offer your hand palm up in front of the dog's paw of your choice. Say the command "Shake-A-Paw" and then take the chosen paw and gently lift it into your hand.

You will have to repeat this one probably at least 10 times before your dog starts to do it on it's own, but it will happen eventually. Immediately when the dog does the trick praise and reward. Repeat it a few more times to make sure the dog has it down and then keep asking your dog every once in a while throughout the day to do the trick.

You will want to alternate between paws once your dog is consistently doing the trick just to keep things interesting. After you have succeded in learning this paw trick you can move on to "High-Five", and/or "Waving".

Understanding Your Pet:

Understanding your pet is one of the best ways to help you communicate with and care for your special pet. Whether you have a dog, cat or bird you can sit and listen to the sounds they make to see how to communciate with each other.

What You'll Need:

Step One:

Watch your pet's eyes, ears, tails, paws and fur. Watch their whole body. Try to figure out what your pet is saying by using its body language. Does your dog or cat ever run back and forth between you and their food bowl? (maybe they are trying to say, "It's time for dinner!") or between you and the door? ("Let's go outside!") Does your pet roll over and look at you to let you know it wants a tummy rub?

Animals also use their voices in more ways than we may think. How many types of barks does your pet dog have, and what could each one mean. He probably has a bark for "Hey someones at the door", or "Ouch someone stepped on my tail".

Dogs also growl, whine and make other sounds. Each sound is different and it means that your pet is trying to communicate with you or another pet.

It's the same with your cat. Each meow is different. One could mean "Feed me!" and another could say "Can I come in now?"

Step Two:

It's the same with your cat. Each meow is different. One could mean "Feed me!" and another could say "Can I come in now?"