Activities For A Cheeks
Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
Cheek dogs are a cross between Chihuahua and a Pekingese. They are small, friendly dogs whose favorite place is your lap. Given their small size, they are a low-energy breed that will do well with a few short walks per day or an indoor play session. Leaving them alone outdoors isn’t recommended.
These dogs do best in homes with older children, as the dog can get snippy when mishandled by younger children. If you’re looking for a very active dog, this might not be the breed for you. The Cheeks can’t tolerate extreme cold or extreme heat and prefer to stay indoors most of the time, so keep this in mind when planning your activities.
Speed Walking
Speed walking is a bit different than regular walking; it’s walking at a faster pace than your normal stroll. Keep in mind that your pup’s legs are really small. You can let them choose the speed or you can change it up by teaching them to run when you yell, “Run!” and walk when you say, “Walk.”
Walking -- normal or speedily -- is free and can be done in any weather, though your Cheek will prefer mild weather. A speed walk of 15 minutes should be enough for your pup, but if it’s not, go on multiple walks throughout the day.
Day Trip
Dogs love road trips, too! Large towns and cities are much more pet-friendly than rural areas. Many bars and breweries allow dogs to accompany their owners. There are hundreds of websites dedicated to finding the closest pet-friendly businesses. If you can’t find any, you can always take a road trip to watch a parade or enjoy a festival.
When you take your pup in a car, your dog should be secured in a crate or car harness. Sure, it’s cute to ride with your dog on your lap or just sitting unsecured in a seat, but it’s also really dangerous if there is an accident. Many dogs have been lost after getting loose after an accident. The safest thing to do is secure your dog like you would a child.Â
Spa Day
Cheek dogs don’t need a ton of grooming. They can make do with a bath every few months. However, spa days can be a bonding time for you and your pup. Your dog’s fur might be a bit longer than other small dogs and will need weekly brushing. Your dog’s teeth also need to be cleaned regularly. Small dogs are prone to dental issues, so regular teeth brushing can help your pup avoid future problems.
The spa day is more about you bonding with your dog and training them on how to sit still for professional groomers. You may want to play with your dog after spa day as a reward for good behavior and to let them work off energy. On the other hand, they may just want to sleep afterwards.
More Fun Ideas...
Fetch
Your Cheek pup has a small mouth, which limits what types of toys they can fetch. For an easy solution, observe your dog playing. Whatever toy they play with the most is the one you want for fetch. Given their small size, a rousing game of fetch can be as short as 15 minutes. Indoor fetch is best because they can get too hot outdoors.
Obedience Training
Little dogs need training, too! Small dogs can be more aggressive toward humans and other dogs than large breeds for two main reasons -- fear and simply not knowing their own size. Cheek pups are willing to learn, but can be stubborn. Repetition and practice are how your dog will learn.
Conclusion
The Cheek dogs are a pint-sized breed who are mostly quiet, indoor creatures. However, they do like moderate amounts of exercise, especially walks. Cheek puppies can be more playful than the older dogs and may be more interested in a game of fetch. Given the size of the breed’s mouth, they fetch sticks better than balls.
The dogs are eager to please, but stubborn. Obedience training will help a lot with learning commands. Sure, you can just pick the dog up when they start misbehaving, but obedience training will help your pup enjoy spending time with other dogs. Cheeks are friendly, but can be timid around new dogs and people. A day trip or a spa day are other activities you can do with your Cheek dog.