Activities For A Grand Gascon-Saintongeois
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Introduction
The Grand Gascon-Saintongeois is a mild-mannered scent hound that can make a furriffic addition to the active lifestyle. This pooch has a pack mentality and blends well with family members and other dogs. With their hunting instinct, you'll have to watch that Fido doesn't treat any smaller pets as prey. Provide training and socialization as soon as possible to establish your status as alpha and to prevent aggression toward strangers. Offer at least two hours of exercise a day to curb your four-footed pal's energy levels. These pups enjoy a range of activities but will thrive when you give them jobs that let them use their noses.
K9 Nose Work
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Any Day
Moderate
Normal
20 - 30 min
Items needed
scent container
leash
dog-safe essential oils
toy
Activity description
Since your pup is a scent hound, nose work is an activity that's right up their alley. This game lets your pooch sharpen their scent detection and problem-solving skills. Nose work trials test a dog's ability to find the target scent in vehicles, containers, interiors, and exterior environments. Fido will benefit from the physical and mental stimulation as they search for their quarry. Because you can use different venues when you practice with your pal, you can do this work indoors or outside. Weather will not be a hindrance to your plans.
Step
1
Instruction
Start training your pal by teaching them to identify the birch scent. Use tasty treats to make identification rewarding for the pup. Once they readily go to the scent container, place the box in a separate room and tell your pooch to find it. When Fido masters locating the odor, try hiding the jar in different spots.
Step
2
Do nose work
After your fur-baby knows how to locate the scent container, you can test them in various settings. Try hiding the box in different rooms around the house, in your back yard, or inside a car. Once Fido shows mastery of the skill, introduce oil of anise and oil of clove scents into the mix. Teach your pup to locate the target scent and ignore the other ones.
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Scent Trails
Popular
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Sunny Day
Free
Normal
20 - 30 min
Items needed
Item to track
treats
leash
Activity description
Another furrific way to let your pooch use their nose is by creating scent trails for them to follow. The first few times you do this, spend about 15 minutes on the activity. As your pup builds their skill and enthusiasm, you can extend your time by making longer or more challenging paths. As a scent hound, Fido will love putting their natural instincts to use as they follow the trail to their quarry. This is a grrr-eat way to give your pal a physical and mental workout. Use tasty treats that have a strong aroma and lots of praise.
Step
1
Create a trail
Pick an early morning to go to an open field. That way, there's less chance that other scents will confuse your pup. Crush a piece of hot dog or another good-smelling treat under your shoe. Walk through the grass in a straight line and drop pieces of food about every 15 paces along your path. When you reach the end point, place the toy or tracking dummy in the grass with a few pieces of the treat.
Step
2
Let Fido track
Retrace your path back to Fido. Give them a piece of food to sniff and eat. Then let your pal go and tell them to find it. Watch as your pooch follows the scent trail to their quarry and enjoys the final reward. Repeat the process by starting a fresh track about ten feet away from the first one.
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3-2-1 Find It
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Sunny Day
Free
Normal
20 - 40 min
Items needed
leash
treats
stick or toy
Activity description
Add some variety to walk time by teaching your furry pal to play 3-2-1 Find It. Pick a strolling area that has an unmown field, weeds, or low brush. You can either bring a favorite toy with you or pick up a stick along the way. Once you engage Fido's interest in the item by using it to play a game with them, toss it into some tall grass or underbrush. Wait a few seconds before releasing your pooch then tell them to find it. Your canine companion will need to use their noses to track down the object. Just be mindful of ticks and other biting critters in the brush!
Step
1
The set up
Leash up your pooch and take them for a walk in a grassy field or the woods. Either bring along a toy that Fido likes for a game of tug of war or find a stick along the way. Engage your pal in a tugging match for a while to build their interest in the item.
Step
2
Toss and find
Once your pooch shows interest in the toy, make them sit and stay. Toss the object into an area with tall grass, weeds, or underbrush. Let them watch it fall. Count down from three, then tell your pup to find it. Let them root around in the vegetation and use their nose to track down their quarry. Repeat as you walk together.
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More Fun Ideas...
Hide and Seek
Rainy days don't have to prevent you from exercising your pooch. Play a game like hide and seek to occupy your furry friend. This activity works best at the end of the day when you can use the darkness for extra cover.
Hiking
Find a park or preserve where you and your special pal can go hiking together to enjoy some fresh air and exercise. Check facility rules to know if you can let your furry friend go off-leash. Come prepared with waste bags and refreshments.
Conclusion
Your Grand Gascon-Saintongeois will fare best in a home with a spacious fenced yard. Fido needs a place where they can explore and play, but you'll want to make sure they don't wander off after an intriguing scent. This energetic pup needs a few hours of daily activity. They also crave companionship and might start digging or howling if you leave them alone too long.