Have a dog in your life? Take some extra time this spring break to help them learn a new trick! You will need:

• A bar, such as a broom handle.
• Some blocks to adjust the bar height.
• Treats or your dog’s favourite toy.

Agility requires some patient training. Follow these steps:

1. Start with your dog on a leash facing a very low bar – about 10 cm high.

2. Lead your dog over the bar using the “jump” command. As they cross, toss a treat in front of them as a reward.

3. While they are on leash, practice jogging up to the bar several times with your dog. Each time, call “jump” and toss a treat or toy in front of them. This teaches that good things happen when they jump. Plus, the forward movement prepares them for the next obstacle.

4. Once they get it with the leash, try to do the same steps without the leash.

5. Increase the height by a small amount. Continue to practice before raising the bar. You could also set up another jump a few metres ahead and have them jump twice.

Rabbits and guinea pigs love their greens! Did you know you can grow your own? Whether you have a small animal friend at home or you’d like to donate some fresh snacks to your local BC SPCA or other rescue, you can get started with your own garden this spring! Even if you don’t have a lot of space, all you really need is a sunny windowsill.

• Dandelions. When you see dandelions in the “puffball” stage, instead of blowing them away, collect the seeds to grow your own! Press the seeds gently into soil in a pot deep enough for the long roots (about 15 cm). Be sure to keep the soil moist. Dandelions grow faster in direct sunlight. Rabbits and guinea pigs like to eat the flowers, leaves and stems!

• Romaine lettuce. Next time you have a head of romaine lettuce in your home, save the bottom section to grow some more! Simply place it in a shallow dish with water on a windowsill. Change the water every one or two days and soon you will see sprouts – bonus lettuce for pets!

• Wheatgrass. For this one you will need wheatgrass seeds and a small spray bottle. Soak the seeds overnight, then strain and rinse them before spreading across moist potting soil and covering with damp paper towel or newspaper. Spray daily to keep the seeds moist. You should see the grass start to grow within a few days. Along with rabbits and guinea pigs, cats often enjoy wheatgrass too!

Discover the biodiversity outside your door! This is an activity you can do in your backyard, or with your family or friends at the park, beach or trails.

1. The first and most important step: Get outside! There is so much biodiversity all around us, in every green space no matter the size. Biodiversity means the variety of life on Earth – plants, animals, fungi… even bacteria (though you won’t spot those with a naked eye).

2. Find as many different living things as possible. Everything living counts, from dandelions to deer! Consider bringing a book or brochure of native species to identify what you find.

3. Record each species you find – including how many you see! You can also use an app like iNaturalist to contribute to biodiversity science and become what we call a citizen scientist. Last year, iNaturalist Canada users made more than 2.5 million observations of more than 24,764 different species!

Want to know more about biodiversity and why it’s so important? Check out this great video from TED-Ed.