Indoor Activities For Your Furry Pal

You don't need to build a large kennel run in your living room so your dog can run from one end to the other. Simply get creative and find ways to keep your pup stimulated.

Freeze and find dog toys - Dogs love to find things, especially tasty treats. Freeze a Kong chew toy or another toy with treats inside so that it takes longer for your dog to get the treats out.

Random rewards dog toys - Keep old soft drink bottles and cut holes in them so that you can put treats inside them. As your pawed pal moves the bottle around, treats will fall out -- this activity stimulates and rewards your dog.

Reach for treat-giving dog toys - Hang ropes and attach treats to them using small amounts of peanut butter or cream cheese. Dry treats or dog food pieces work best. When your pup goes to grab the treat, the rope toy moves and makes it harder for your dog to get to the treat, creating a fun reward system.

Hide-and-seek dog treats - Hide dry dog treats throughout your house, so your dog has to forage for them (not recommended near nice furniture). This takes time and keeps your  pup's mind active and interested.

Play doggie tug-of-war - In an open area in your house, use an old towel or rope to play tug of war with your dog. Just make sure you always stay leader of your pack; if you let your dog win, he's going to try to move into the alpha role.

Make your dog earn his treats - Combine obedience training and treats by asking your   dog to sit, drop, come, stand, stay, do tricks or any other action for him to earn his treats. When the winter weather (or at least the sidewalk) clears, be sure to get back on your outdoor walking or exercise schedule. Indoor play is fun, but you and your dog will benefit from fresh air activity. (Adopted From http://www.sheknows.com)

Start Your Day Strong.

If you tend to rush around in the morning - attempting to pick out your power outfit, eat breakfast, make lunch, pack your gym bag, and answer e-mails sent while you were sleeping, all before you step out the door - it’s no wonder you're frustrated by the time you reach the office. If you want to feel confident and perform well at work, it's time you had a streamlined morning routine.

1. Figure out exactly how much time you have in the morning. What time do you really rise out of bed (not what time does your alarm clock go off), and when do you have to leave home to arrive at work on time? Be realistic.
2. Inventory everything that has to happen by the time you head out the door. Eat breakfast, shower, iron, walk the dog, etc. If you normally read the paper before work, include that in your list.
3. Next go through Morgenstern's four Ds: delete, delay, diminish, and delegate.
   Delete: Eliminate the things you really don't need to do. There's little chance your boss will take "I was wrapped up in Sports Center" as an acceptable excuse for being tardy. And never check your e-mail or Blackberry. "It distracts your energy, puts you in a bad mood, and trains people that you're available at all hours," Morgenstern says. "And then you become trapped by it."
   Delay: Or, more accurately, do something at a different time. Identify the things you could do in advance. Most of these are simple - picking out your clothes, making your lunch, packing your gym bag and briefcase (leave them by the door so you don't forget them) - but all of these little tasks add up.
   Diminish: Create shortcuts where you can. If you enjoy long showers, consider saving those for nights and cutting your morning bathing to a quickie.
   Delegate: Seek help from others for the things others could do. Could your daughter walk the dog? Or maybe you can convince your girlfriend to make you a portion of  whatever she has for breakfast.
4. You now have less to do in the morning. For 2 or 3 days, time yourself to see exactly how long it takes to do everything you have to do. Then you'll know, for example, that you don't have time to cook and eat a big breakfast, and you can be sure to have grab-and-go choices on hand. (Adopted From http://www.menshealth.com)