An Evening Management Win

You know how you get to the end of the day and you just want to put your feet up?

Maybe even enjoy a glass of wine. Drown in a little tv...but as soon as you sit down, your dog is ready to go...

Yup, me too. Willow is notorious for it. The picture above doesn't happen until long after I'm ready for it.
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Willow's trigger for needing to go outside and pacing or needing to bring me a toy or needing needing needing...is me sitting down.
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You know what? I have kids. I'm virtually schooling. I'm creating content, answering emails, taking videos, posting on social media, keeping the house somewhat tidy, feeding everyone, throwing the ball, doing the dishes, doing the laundry... must I go on? So at the end of the day, I like to put my feet up - watch a little TV and maybe enjoy a glass of wine. Do I want to play with Willow at that point? No, not so much. Do I want to cuddle with her? Sure. But she's not ready for that. She hasn't settled.

So we started a routine. I shared it on Facebook a couple of nights ago and it was appreciated by many so I thought I would share it here too!

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So let me offer you a little permission here. Permission to put your feet up. Permission to give your dog something to do while you enjoy some down time - and a glass of wine, if you so choose!

And once she goes out, does some self-soothing licking and chewing, then I get my cuddles!

In case you're wondering what I used:

This is the one I used (Willow is too fast with the other ones, this one she really has to squeeze to get a cheese stick out of):
https://www.chewy.com/kong-genius-mike-dog-toy.../dp/47748

Here are some other favorites that are a bit harder than the classic Kong but easier than the one Willow has, at least for her (Amazon affiliate links)