Top Activities For A Mudi

Introduction

If you find yourself in ownership of a Mudi, then you’ve hit the jackpot. This breed of dog is rare; there are thought to be only a few thousand in existence. While they are more common in Hungary, there are a few in parts of Europe, the United States, and Canada. A Mudi is a strikingly beautiful breed that excels in physical activity. They are a skilled herding dog that also shows talent in sports, shows, and anything to do with jumping. Therefore, they aren’t a pet for the idle. You have to be ready to lead an active lifestyle if you want any chance of catching up. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Running

Dog Sports

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Expensive

Hard

1 hr

Items needed

Leash

Toy

Treat

Activity description

Dog sports are not suitable for all dogs, but they are a Mudi’s bread and butter. Because they aren’t a dog you can expect to lounge around at home, you need to be willing to dedicate at least an hour a day, if not more, to their physical activity requirements. One way to do that is with dog sports. You can open the door to a whole host of new hobbies both for yourself and your magnificent Mudi, all the while letting their skills and talents shine through. You can do them in any weather, and you only need a leash, treat, and toy. However, dog sports can be challenging when you first start, and they can come with a high price tag. Regardless, if you’re ready to invest time, energy, and money into your new furry friend, dog sports may be the answer.

Step

1

Herding

Herding is the process of bringing animals together into a herd, generally with the use of dogs trained for the purpose. What you’ll find is that herding is a task at which your dog will excel. There will be no problem including it into their daily routine, either. You can hire a trainer to help you, or you can run them through their basic commands before moving them onto becoming familiar with stock. It’s then a process of playing fetch to get them to bring items back, teaching them left and right commandments with plenty of treats, and reading your dog’s body language. Once your Mudi has learned the basics, you can then begin getting them involved in shows.

Step

2

Rally Obedience

Rally obedience is something that most Mudi dogs will thrive by doing. It’s similar to regular obedience training but is a sport that involves warmup activities and freestyle moves. The dog begins in a heel position, before carrying out up to 20 steps for the judges to mark. You can also encourage your dog during the entire process. There are three levels – novice, advanced, and excellent. You can start by teaching them basic commands, working your way toward a novice rally obedience class.

Step

3

Showmanship

The first step to becoming involved in showmanship with your Mudi is by getting in touch with your local kennel club. The Mudi is currently registered and identified as a herding dog with AKC. As a result, you get the benefit of club support and information, as well as access to a range of events. When you become involved in showmanship, you have to follow a set of guidelines to make sure your dog ticks all the boxes for what they expect of the breed.

Add your dog's photo

Flyball

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Moderate

Hard

1 hr

Items needed

Treat

Hurdles

Ball

Flyball Box

Clicker

Activity description

Flyball is a fun hour-long team sport of which your Mudi is bound to get a lot of enjoyment. It involves a team of four dogs, hurdles, a ball, and a dog with a lot of determination to run fast and follow orders. The dogs will run down an obstacle course, jump hurdles, get a ball, then come back and through a gate. For a dog such a Mudi that loves to run, jump, and play, there could be no better activity. However, getting started can be a challenge – especially as you need to teach them every step of how Flyball works, then tie it all together. Here’s how to get started on this moderately expensive, sunny weather activity.

Step

1

Learn basics

The basics of flyball involve teaching your Mudi how to fetch, jump hurdles, and retrieve a ball. Usually, you can show your Mudi how to do these things from a young age, and you may not have too much trouble doing so. It involves a lot of repetition, using a clicker, positive reinforcement, and a few treats. You have to carry out these steps one at a time. Master the hurdles, move onto fetch, then onto retrieving. You can then repeat the sequence of three, so it forms a routine in your Mudi’s mind.

Step

2

Box and return

The next challenging part is helping your dog to understand how a trigger ball box works – a significant portion of flyball. A trigger box involves using your dog’s feet to release a ball from a box for them to grab. Place their feet on the plate, treat them when the ball pops up, then use plenty of positive reinforcement each time they successfully push on it – with or without your help. Eventually, they will see that when they press on the trigger ball box, something good happens! You then need to lure them around a pole and back to you – the final part of the flyball process.

Step

3

Link the steps

When you’re teaching your dog how to play flyball, you have to show them every step in individual stages. Then, the critical part is being able to link them all together. This bit may take time, but run them through the hurdles, fetching, retrieving the ball, using the box, then returning to you. Eventually, your Mudi will be a masterclass act. If you'd like to join a team, make inquiries and go join the fun of relay competition!

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More Fun Ideas...

Hiking

A Mudi will make an excellent hiking companion due to how hardy they are. They can run, jump, climb, and travel for miles without wavering. Therefore, if you’re planning on going on a day-long walk, you can take your pup along with you. Don’t forget water and food for you both!

Frisbee

If there’s one activity that your Mudi will be naturally talented at, it’s frisbee. Mudi love to leap, bound and run, and frisbees offer this freedom. Take them to an area that offers plenty of space to run around, then throw the frisbee as far as you can. The further you throw it, the more exercise your pup can get.

Conclusion

Most owners will proudly state that there is “no other dog like mine” but in the case of the Mudi, it’s truer than you would think. With only a few thousand in existence, your dog is not only special and unique to you, but to the world. Treat them like the diamond they are with a range of exciting and fun activities. You are bound to have a pawsitively delightful time, while your Mudi will get to benefit from a whole lot of fun physical activities that will tire them out for hours.