Our Toolbox 🧰

Stuck inside with a restless Belgian Malinois?

Record-breaking temperatures and severe floods are the new normal.

When outdoor training becomes dangerous, here's your indoor solution.

Weekly Bite

Toronto’s been under heat warnings for more than half the summer.

I can’t imagine what it’s like in Texas, where some of our community members are at risk of heat and destructive flooding.

K9 Roxy, a beloved search and recovery dog, passed away unexpectedly after returning home from flood response efforts in Texas.

Stories like this remind me that pushing dogs in extreme heat can have delayed consequences.

While Roxy died of unknown circumstances, I'm sure the outdoor conditions didn't help.

That's why having safe indoor alternatives isn't just convenient.

It's necessary.

Indoor Exercise Guide

1️⃣ Slatmill

These are a no-brainer for burning energy but can be quite expensive.

Slatmills can reach up to $4,000.

But if you have one? Game changer.

Unlike motorized treadmills, slatmills are dog-powered. Your Malinois controls the speed by running harder or easier.

The investment pays off when you're trapped inside for days.

2️⃣ Nosework

Teaching your dog to hunt for odors is much cheaper than purchasing a slatmill.

Best part?

Nosework is even more tiring than physical exercise.

Some say that 15 minutes of nosework = 1 hour of physical exercise in terms of fatigue.

If you've never tried nosework, here's what it looks like:

How to get started

(Using stuff you already have)

Week 1: Food Searches

Start simple with their favorite treats.

Day 1-3:

• Put your dog in another room

• Place 5 pieces of treats in obvious spots (middle of floor)

• Release them and tell them to "Search"

Day 4-7:

• Hide treats slightly (behind chair legs, beside shoes)

• Still visible, just not obvious

• Watch them start using their nose

Week 2: Container Searches

• Grab 5-10 empty boxes or plastic containers

• Put treats in only 2-3 containers

• Scatter containers around room

Pro tip: Use different containers each time. Old Amazon boxes, yogurt containers, paper bags—variety matters.

Let me know if you reach this point and I’ll share a follow-up guide. 🤙

3️⃣ Lick Mats and Frozen Enrichment

Licking releases endorphins and calms anxiety.

Perfect for hot days.

My go-to frozen recipes:

• Wet food spread thin and frozen

• Dog safe peanut butter

• Plain yogurt

Pro tip: Freeze these the night before you need them.

TL;DR: When extreme weather traps you indoors, prioritize mental exercise over physical. While slatmills are amazing for physical exercise (if you can afford one), nosework using household items and frozen enrichment can tire your dog out even more effectively.

Tail End

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Until next Thursday, ✌️

Sam