Easter with Your Dog - How to Make It a Highlight!

Easter with Your Dog: How to Make It Unforgettable!

Easter is just around the corner, and this year we’re cozying up at home. This also means our four-legged friends can fully participate in family activities. We consulted animal welfare-qualified dog trainer Michaela Strohmayer on how to make Easter an unforgettable experience for your dog. Here are her tips!

Easter with Your Dog: Ideas and Tips

1. Lettuce as an Easter Nest
Why not create a special Easter nest for your dog? Take a head of lettuce, spread some liverwurst or peanut butter on it, and hide treats, carrots, and your dog's favorite snacks between the leaves. Hide the nest in the garden or inside the house and let your dog search for it. This not only serves as a healthy reward but also provides an exciting scavenger hunt.

Warning: Make sure your dog doesn't get hold of any chocolate treats meant for your children, as chocolate is toxic to dogs and can lead to serious health issues.

2. Eggs Instead of Chocolate!
A boiled chicken egg is a healthy treat for your dog, but only in moderation (maximum twice a week). A great Easter treat from the kitchen is to collect the yolk of fresh eggs when blowing them out and mix it into your dog's food. This provides essential fatty acids and vitamins. Uncooked eggshells are also a natural source of calcium—just be sure to wash them thoroughly!

3. Sniffing mat as Easter decoration

Dogs love to sniff, so why not offer a sniffing mat with a spring theme that you only bring out during Easter? This special decoration provides variety and fun, keeping your dog occupied without the risk of nibbling on dangerous plants or decorations.

4. Egg hunt on four paws

The egg hunt is the highlight of every Easter celebration. Let your dog join in! Start with simple hiding spots and increase the difficulty level as your dog gets the hang of it. In the garden, ideal hiding places include tree bark, piles of dirt, or under flower pots. Indoors, you can hide treats under carpets, behind cushions, or in boxes.

Tip: Wrap the treats in paper so your dog has to unwrap them first, extending the fun.

But be careful! The following Easter hiding spots are only for top-notch sniffer dogs!

It’s important to acclimate your pet to the searching and all the excitement beforehand, and to choose hiding places that keep the treats within reach—avoid hiding them too high. Start with simpler spots to help your dog understand the game; as they improve, you can make the hiding places more challenging.

When the weather is nice, searching in the garden is perfect, with many tricky corners and spots for hiding. Options range from small treats scattered on the lawn to homemade Easter nests hidden in tree bark, buried in dirt piles, or placed under empty flower pots. As long as you give your pet the opportunity to be active, Easter fun is guaranteed.

Use your petWALK pet door to assist with the search; you can keep your four-legged friend inside while you hide everything. When you’re finished, just let your dog out through the dog door!

Tip: You can also wrap the treats in paper for added enjoyment during unwrapping. An excellent and fun Easter experience can also take place indoors.

Small items like treats are perfect for hiding under carpets, behind cushions, under the sofa, or in boxes. Laundry baskets can also be repurposed as varied hiding spots. The petWALK pet door is another great option for a hiding place; your dog will discover the small item only when the door is opened.

Tip: You can make simple dog toys out of egg cartons, which can be customized as desired. Just wrap treats in newspaper and place them in the holes, or put individual treats inside and then cover them with newspaper or balls.

 

Michaela Strohmayer