Hello everyone! Welcome to this issue of Mighty Mutts!

It’s been a rainy few days here in Ontario but the weather seems to finally be clearing and warming up. That means more time outside! Pablo loves being outside, chillin on the patio, or on the grass in the sunshine. Hopefully you can get outside with your mighty mutt and enjoy the sunshine!

In this issue, you’ll find some tips on how to keep your working breed happy and stimulated. A bored working dog in an unhappy one, and it can show in destructive behaviour. Whether it’s a rainy day indoors, or a sunny summer afternoon, you’ll find games and activities that you’ll both enjoy.

And of course, Pablo has some things to tell his furry friends.

-Enjoy!

Don’t keep us a secret – share this with another large breed dog owner: mightymutts.beehiiv.com

Pablo’s Ponderings

Good morning, everyone! Hope you and your hoomans are all well. We’ve had a few rainy days here in Ontario, but it’s finally warming up again. Mom and Dad and I sat on our patio yesterday afternoon, and I got to say hello to our neighbour, Taylor. And I got to play with my good friend, Ricky for a bit. He came over for a short play-date. I was so excited! As much as I love my hoomans, it’s nice to see other people and dogs once in awhile.

I’ve been going on lots of walks lately with dad and Brandon, and love seeing the neighbourhood. I get to see lots of squirrels, birds and other dogs on my walks, so that’s lots of fun.

Anyway, I guess that’s it for now. Take care, my furry friends, and send me pictures!

-Pablo

If you share your home with a large working breed, you already know one thing: rain doesn’t cancel your dog’s energy.

While we may love a cozy rainy afternoon, your dog may be staring at you like, “Great. So…what’s the plan?”

Working breeds like German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Bernese Mountain Dog, Doberman, and Border Collie were bred to think, solve problems, and stay active. When bad weather keeps everyone indoors, boredom can show up fast—and usually in ways we don’t love: barking, pacing, chewing, or inventing “projects” around the house.

The good news? Rainy days can still be productive and fun.

Here are a few easy ways to help your large dog burn energy indoors.

A dog’s nose is incredible—and scent work is one of the easiest ways to tire out a busy brain.

Try hiding treats around one room and telling your dog, “Find it!”

Start easy:

Once they understand the game, make it harder.

Ten minutes of sniffing and problem-solving can feel like a real workout for many working dogs.

Skip the bowl for one meal.

Instead:

Now your dog has a task to complete—and they’re earning their dinner.

Working breeds thrive when they feel useful.

Rainy days are perfect for brushing up on commands:

Or teach something fun:

Short 5-minute sessions throughout the day add up fast.

And dogs love the mental challenge.

No fancy equipment needed.

Use:

Guide your dog through the course and praise them along the way.

For confident working breeds, it becomes both exercise and problem-solving.

A controlled tug session is fantastic for burning energy.

Just keep structure:

This turns tug into both play and training.

A big part of raising a working dog is teaching them when to settle.

After activity, guide them to a bed or mat with something calming to chew.

Learning to relax matters just as much as staying busy.

Rainy days don’t have to feel long for your dog—or stressful for you.

With a few games and a little creativity, you can turn a dreary afternoon into something productive.

And chances are, by evening your dog will be curled up happily… while you finally enjoy that coffee in peace.

Ever taken your big dog for a long walk… only to come home and have them still pacing around like they’re ready for more?

You’re not imagining it.

With working breeds like German Shepherd, Great Pyrenees, Boxer, Australian Shepherd, and Newfoundland dog, physical exercise is only part of the picture.

These dogs were bred to think, make decisions, solve problems, and work alongside people.

That means a tired body doesn’t always equal a calm dog.

The missing piece is often mental stimulation.

Here are 10 simple ways to work your dog’s brain and help them feel more balanced.

Hide somewhere in the house and call your dog.

When they find you, celebrate.

It’s fun, builds recall, and gets their brain engaged.

Toss treats around a room and let them sniff.

Scent work taps into natural instincts and can be surprisingly tiring.

Instead of serving meals in a bowl, make them work for it.

Puzzle toys slow eating and challenge their brain.

Even smart dogs love learning.

Try:

Five minutes is enough.

Scatter kibble or treats into a snuffle mat and let your dog search.

It’s simple and calming.

You don’t need more toys.

Just put some away and switch them out weekly.

Novelty matters.

Practice:

Everyday training gives your dog structure and purpose.

Many working breeds love jobs.

Ask them to:

It sounds small—but it matters to them.

Tug with boundaries uses both body and mind.

Add commands between rounds:
“sit”
“drop”
“wait”

You don’t need an hour.

Three quick 5-minute sessions can make a huge difference.

Morning.
Afternoon.
Evening.

That rhythm helps busy dogs feel mentally satisfied.

The best part?

Mental stimulation often creates the calm owners are really looking for.

Less pacing.

Less barking.

Less “finding trouble.”

And more of that happy, content giant stretched out at your feet.

Because when a working dog gets to use their brain, they’re not just tired—

they feel fulfilled.

Transform Your Dog Using the Same Secrets Used to Train Service Dogs!

(you’ll also learn all about potty training and fixing 11 common dog behavioral problems)

A small sample of what you’ll get in this free workshop

•          The secret methods that service dog trainers use to housebreak dogs

So that your dog never has accidents inside your house ever again.

•          How service dogs are trained to never bark out of excitement

Contrary to what many people believe, you CAN’T stop a dog from letting you know that someone has come to your front door – they are simply hard wired for it. Instead, find out the “QUIET WAY” that you can teach your dog so that it still gets to alert you to strangers – without barking even once.

•          Why service dogs behave so well when walking on the leash without pulling

So that you can leash train your dog just like a service dog.

•          How service dogs are trained to ALWAYS come when called

So that your dog too will come back to you the moment you say its name in the dog park or anywhere else (no matter what it might have been doing at that time).

Grab your seat here!

https://k9ti.org/r/Gizmobb01/free-workshop/

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That’s it for this issue. See you next week! Feel free to share this with other dog owners!

--Maryanne and the Mighty Mutts team