How Many Spoons Do I Have?

Whether it’s the news or googling dog behavior that has you feeling like you’re drinking from a fire hose, it’s important to turn off the tap and focus on what you can do right now. Let’s face it, there are days when we have all the energy for our dogs, AKA all spoons days, days when we have some energy, AKA broken spoons days, and days when we have zero energy, AKA no spoons days. We’ve curated a list for each type of day as a jumping-off point for you. Use these suggestions as activity inspiration for your various energy days and create your own list based on your dog’s comfort and ability. 

All Spoons Days 

• Hiking 

• Sniff Spot 

• Playdates

• Group dog walks with friends/family

• Dog friendly public spaces/stores (great for skills’ distraction practice)

• Take your dog swimming 

• Train new behaviors

Broken Spoons Days

• Couch catch 

Toss a ball or toy for your dog to catch or chase and bring to you. 

• Cushion rubble pile

Pile a bunch of cushions on the floor and encourage your dog to walk over them “search and rescue” style. 

• Ladder

• Tunnel

• Scent Games 

Feed your dog for sniffing a specific scent or object. Hide the object and send your dog to search. 

• Hide and Seek 

Ask your dog for a sit/stay, hide, call your dog, and reward with food or tug when your dog finds you. 

• Train from your car

• Practice known behaviors

• Fill a bunch of food puzzles and freeze to use for future no spoons day

No Spoons Days 

• Two paws up

Reward your dog for putting two paws up on an object. With their two paws up, add in a hind-end pivot. 

• Recalls for breakfast and dinner

• Tag

Use your dog’s “touch” or “target” skill to tag your hand while you sit on the floor or move around your home. 

• Pre-frozen food puzzles 

• Chews 

• Kibble scatter

Scatter kibble or the bottom of the bag treat dust in your yard or your dog’s toy box.

• Kibble rolling ball

• Peanut butter smeared into nylabones

• Woof Pupsicle

Pupscicle tips: Do not put in the dishwasher. If the top becomes hard to twist, spray oil on the part that twists before use.

Label three envelopes: All Spoons Day, Broken Spoons Day, and No Spoons Day. Write your activities on slips of paper and put them into the corresponding envelopes. Next time you need activity inspo for your dog, choose an activity from the envelope. Don’t forget to post a photo and tag us @behaviorunited!  

This post was inspired by our colleagues at Dog Eared Training in Mt. Airy, Maryland  after they sparked this conversation online. Tell us, what’s on your list?