Activities For A Shibos

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Activities For A Shibos

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Introduction

The Shibos dog is a small hybrid breed that is both affectionate and loyal. Like all dogs, the Shibos likes to feel important and craves human interaction. Therefore, think ahead and plan activities that will keep your dog entertained and offer a change in the daily routine to keep them on their toes. Games such as tug of war are always fun, as are chasing and hide and seek. Every now and then add in a new game or activity to make your Shibos really use their physical and mental abilities. Another change you can make to their day is to make them work for their dinner. These days dogs get fed almost on demand, whereas they were scavengers and hunters in the dim distant past. Load up a food dispensing toy or hide their food in several different locations and get them to find, shake or hunt for their food. Not only will this spread their eating time out but it may even allow you to eat your meal in peace, without the pleading eyes of your dog following your every fork full. Read on for some unique and fun activities for your Shibos Dog.

Muffin Tray Treat

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Cheap

Normal

30 - 60 min

Items needed

Muffin tray

Tennis balls

Small yummy treats

Activity description

The dog's ancestry goes a long way back in time to when they scavenged or hunted for their food. Today, most dogs get their food delivered right to their jaws without having to do any work at all. This game will make them work for their treats and give them a good mental workout. The idea is to sit with them on the ground and show them the muffin tray, then as they watch (and stay put) you put a tiny treat under every second or third ball that rests in the muffin tray. Of course, the idea is that your dog has to remove the ball to find a treat. Once they get the idea, they may even memorize which balls you put the treat under! Give a ton of praise for their efforts and especially when they find a treat. Any activity that tests your dog's ability to solve a problem is a good exercise for their mental abilities. Don't just exercise the body, the mind of your canine needs to be tested through exercise regularly.

Step

Muffin tray madness

This is an ideal indoor game for dull days. Get out a muffin tray, and sit on the floor with your Shibos to set the game up. Have them sit or lie down while you place a treat in every alternate muffin hole. Naturally, your dog will want to rise and eat these treats, but make them stay. While they watch, place a tennis ball in each muffin tray hole.

Step

Dog anticipation!

By now your dog just wants to get those treats! In their mind, they are huge! So, allow them to begin and see what they do. They will have to use their nose or paw to dislodge the ball to find the treat. Really make a big deal when they find it.

Step

Play it again, Shibos

The reason the treats must be small is that you will play the game again and again. Vary the treat, and vary the amount you hide. Once this game becomes easy, you can train your dog to pick up and put the tennis ball in a basket before they eat the treat. Now that is a real challenge!

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Musical Hoops

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Moderate

Normal

30 - 60 min

Items needed

Hoops in a variety of colors

Music

Treats and fresh water

Activity description

Add a little music to your pal's life with a game of musical hoops. You can play indoors or outside, just as long as you have access to music. The idea of this game is to teach your Shibos to stop playing and to go and sit in a hoop when the music stops. It can take a while until your dog gets the idea. At first, you could just use one hoop, then as they get better you could teach them the colors of each hoop. When the music stops, shout out the color of the hoop they are to go to. It can take a lot of patience on your part as your dog learns what to do, but it is worth the effort. Your dog will get a really good mental workout and have a lot of fun at the same time.

Step

Taking it easy

Choose your area to play in and lay down a hoop or two. Play the music and when it stops, lead your dog to the hoop and get them to stay there. You will need to repeat this several times. Treat them for sitting and staying within the hoop till the music starts again.

Step

Spice the game up

Once your dog kind of gets the idea, when the music plays start chasing your dog or 'dancing' with your dog to the music. Then, when it stops, use the command such as 'hoop sit' to instruct them to go to the hoop immediately. Praise your dog well for their efforts and give them a treat.

Step

Getting into the groove

You can vary the game by teaching them the color of each hoop and when the music stops you can say 'blue hoop' or a similar command. Dogs can learn colors and names for items if you are patient and loving in teaching them. When first playing the game, associate the hoop with the color and your pup will catch on before you know it.

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Special Doggy Day

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Cheap

Normal

1 - 2 hrs

Items needed

doggy friend

Treats and water

Activity description

Everyone needs a buddy, and it is the same for your Shibos. Find a friend who has a dog that gets along well with yours, and once every few weeks arrange for your dogs to meet up and play. This event could be at your home, on the beach or at the park. The venue needs to be somewhere that the dogs can run freely and safely. Dogs learn a lot from play. It is great for your dog to learn social skills and find out what is acceptable behavior and what is not. As an owner, you will not be required to do anything, other than supervise. Dogs make their own games - just make sure the games don't get too rough! Have a leash handy if you are at a public venue, just in case you need to reprimand your dog for inappropriate behavior such as ignoring your calls or jumping on people!

Step

Pick a buddy

It shouldn't be hard to find a dog buddy - most of your friends will probably have one or two dogs in their homes. Choose a dog with an owner who has the same type of schedule that you do so that you can arrange to meet up on a regular basis. While you enjoy a coffee, your dogs can play.

Step

Vary the outing

While you could go to each other's home, you can add variety by meeting on the beach or at a new pet-friendly park. New places will intrigue your dogs and they will play and explore to their heart's content.

Step

Social events are pawfect

Get-togethers can be anything you choose. You could decide to take your dogs to a local market where although they are leashed, they can enjoy a wealth of smells and meetings with other dogs. These meetings will keep your dog interested and learning - special outings are a great way to improve your dog's socializing skills, plus they can learn a lot from their buddy.

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More Fun Ideas...

Dinner Date

Give your Shibos dog a break with a change of scenery. Find out which cafes near you are pet-friendly, and take your dog out for lunch or dinner. Hitch up their harness and walk to the café which will give your dog a chance to wear off some of their energy, before stopping at the café for some yummy food. Some cafes even have a pet menu, but if none near you do, take your own three course meal for your canine companion. This activity will require good behavior from your dog, which is part of their training. Spread out their meal so that it takes a while and they will get to watch the pedestrians and their pooches walk on by. On the walk home, stop at a park and let them wear off some of their lunch before heading home to chill out.

Stop and Drop Game

This activity is a form of training and yet, it is a lot of fun for your dog. Having a child join in with your dog will help, but you can do it alone. The idea is to get your dog to run around, perhaps chasing a toy on a string (or a child), and when you say 'stop' the dog has to stop and drop. Then when you say 'go' they can start chasing again. Highly praise your Shibos when they get it right, and give them a treat. It may take your dog a while to get this one as they will still want to chase the toy (or child). But it will teach them to leave whatever they are doing to stop and drop. It is an ideal skill for them to learn for when they are out at the park and start to follow another dog. The secret is to give high praise for this action and a treat, too - then they will be happy to do as you wish.

Game of Catch

Dogs, for some reason, seem to love playing with balls. Include some ball games such as soccer in their day. Another game is to teach them to catch the ball. You will need a ball that they can get in their mouth but not too small that they can swallow in the excitement. Then, practice just a foot apart by throwing the ball to your dog. If they catch it, they get a treat and make a big deal of it. Really praise them up! Before long, your dog will be a superstar at catching the ball. Then you can chuck the ball further away, or to the side of your dog. Give them a good work out, but also give them a few breaks to catch their breath. You want the game to be fun, not a marathon. Be happy and your dog will be happy and contented, too.

Conclusion

When playing with your Shibos, always be mindful of their safety and health. Dogs can overheat quickly so stop if your dog is showing signs of exhaustion. Be aware of dangers such as larger more aggressive dogs at the park, and keep your dog on a leash if need be. The activities suggested will make a difference in your dog's temperament. When they suffer boredom they start looking for things to do, whether that is redesigning the garden or winding the cat up just to get some action. Boredom can lead to a host of behavioral issues, so planning your dog's activities just makes sense. Even when you can't be with them, try to leave them with something to do or perhaps consider a dog walker or a puppy sitter while you are away. Perhaps you could trade favors with another dog owner and take turns canine sitting for each other. This activity would give the dogs company and a load of fun. Get your dog's tail wagging and their tongue flapping with these new games!