Activities For Ambitious Dogs

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Activities For Ambitious Dogs

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Introduction

It can feel challenging to meet the needs of an ambitious dog. You know the type; an ambitious dog will be motivated to conquer anything and everything in their path, trying again and again and NEVER giving up. While being the parent of an ambitious dog can feel exhausting, it does mean that you will likely have the experience of watching your pooch achieve significant accomplishments, which can be a lot of fun and a pleasure to see. Fortunately, there are plenty of things that you can do with your ambitious dog; some activities will require an equal amount of energy on your part, while others will involve the effort on the part of your dog only.

Land and Water Fetch

Popular

0 Votes

Hot Day

Cheap

Normal

60 min

Items needed

Frisbee or Ball

Treats

Activity description

Once your dog masters the game of "fetch" on land, go ahead and take it to the next level if they are the ambitious sort. This means adding the element of water to the game. The idea of the game remains the same; you will throw a ball or Frisbee and your dog will retrieve and return it to you. Only now, try throwing the item into the water, whether it is a lake, river, creek or the ocean. Your dog will now spend some time in the water getting the item, then will return to land to get it back to you. This added dynamic will lead to an additional challenge for your dog, perfect for a more ambitious pup. You will surely enjoy watching your pooch romp through the water to retrieve the thrown item and the activity costs little (in money or expenditure of your energy). Since you can take breaks between throwing the item, this activity can be geared to ambitious dogs of all energy and skill levels.

Step

Developing comfort in the water

Bring one of the items that you typically use when playing fetch with your pup to the body of water you are visiting. Before beginning the game, make sure to give your pup some time to get comfortable in the water. How this looks will be different for each dog; some dogs will run right into the water and be comfortable in a matter of second; others will require more time. For a pup that seems more nervous about the water, you will want to reward them for overcoming their fear, little by little. It is important to not push your dog; each pooch will explore the water at their own pace.

Step

Show your dog what to do

When you notice that your dog is comfortable in the water (you have observed them running in and out), you will want to make a point of showing them the ball or Frisbee. Make sure that your pup sees you throw it into the water where they just were; after which you can yell "fetch" to your pooch, who can then do just that!

Step

Mission accomplished!

Once your canine companion comes back with the item that you threw into the water, be sure to reward them with a treat. As your pup shows they are ready, you can throw the item back into the water, telling them to "fetch". This can be done repeatedly until your dog shows that they are ready for a break. Depending upon the energy level of your pooch, you may want to keep things slow and steady so as not to wear them out. The ability to set the pace makes this a fun game for ambitious dogs of all ages and energy levels.

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Bikejoring

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Moderate

Normal

20 - 120 min

Items needed

Bikejoring Kit

Water and Bowl

Treats

Waste Bags

Safety Equipment

Activity description

For an ambitious pup, bikejoring is ideal. The activity involves your riding a bike, with your dog pulling you. It is like dogsledding, only on your bike! A dog with ambition will be ready to take this activity on; it is a job that they can do and be successful at. Perhaps even more important, is the quality time you and your pooch can spend together. Bikejoring allows your dog the chance to run at the pace they prefer and the activity will provide them with the physical and mental exercise that your pup needs. Due to the physical demands of bikejoring, it is best for a dog with a good energy level who is physically fit.

Step

Research the activity

Before you and your pup start bikejoring, you will want to learn more about the activity. A great way to access information is by looking online and you can also attend a bikejoring event or group near where you live. When meeting with people who are experienced in bikejoring, ask as many questions as you can think of; those who have been involved in bikejoring will have a lot to share, much of which can help you and your pooch to be successful in the activity from getting started to next steps. To begin with, you will need to know what equipment you will need as well as where to begin the training required for the activity.

Step

Get out there and enjoy

Once you have learned about the bikejoring and feel it is a match for you and your pup, it is time to get out there. You will want to purchase a bikejoring kit so that you can attach your dog to your bike. You will also want to be sure that you have all necessary safety equipment before getting out with your dog to participate in bikejoring, to include a safety helmet. Keep in mind that as you start, you will fall and you will have accidents. Staying away from busy streets, therefore, is important for the safety of both you and your dog.

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Agility Activities

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Moderate

Normal

1 - 2 hrs

Items needed

Hula Hoop

PVC Pipe

Kids Tunnel

Ramp

Activity description

Agility activities are great for an ambitious pup, keeping them busy and challenged. Agility activities can be geared to the skill level of your pup, ensuring that they work for any dog. You can set up simple individual activities for your pooch and as your dog masters them, you can increase their difficulty. As your dog reaches proficiency with an activity, you can begin stringing activities together, creating an obstacle course for your pooch. An ambitious dog will love taking on the challenges that you create and the time you spend together on the agility activities will further develop the special bond that you and your pup enjoy.

Step

Get what you need

To get started, you will want to obtain the items that you need for each of the activities you would like to set up for your pup. For example, you can use PVC pipes for poles that your dog can weave through, as well as to create jumps that you can increase in height as your dog masters them. A kiddie tunnel can be used for your pup to run in and out of and you can use lumber to build a ramp that your dog can run up. A hula hoop can also be used; your dog can first walk through it, then the hula hoop can be raised and they can jump through. Of course you will also want to have treats available as rewards for your pup.

Step

Set up activities

Choose your first activity and set it up for your dog to try. It is best to start small and increase the difficulty of an activity as your pup masters it. It is important to give your pooch time to get used to each task that you set up. Let your dog explore the activity (for example, the play tunnel) before looking for them to complete the task. If your pup is not sure what to do, you can demonstrate it to them. Reward your pooch with a treat each time they complete a certain task. As your ambitious pup completes the task at a certain level, you can then increase the difficulty of the particular activity.

Step

Create an agility course

As your dog begins to get better and better at each activity that you have created, in addition to increase the difficult of the activities, you can also begin connecting the activities together, adding to the challenge for your ambitious pup. First connect two activities together, so that your dog has the opportunity to perform two activities in a row. Once your dog is able to accomplish the tasks right after one another, you can add a third and so on. This will create a "course" of agility activities, that will challenge your dog. Pay close attention to how your pup is feeling as they participate in each activity; you want to be sure that your pooch is having a good time and if they aren't, completing the particular task is not important.

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More Fun Ideas...

Search and Rescue

Search and rescue work can be great for an ambitious pup. Let that pooch know what they are looking for and they will likely be motivated to track it down. This activity offers you and your pup the opportunity to spend time together as well as be of service to others. You and your dog can attend training to learn how to be successful at search and rescue and ultimately be called to assist with difficult situations.

Take Your Dog For a Run

For an ambitious dog with a lot of energy, going on a run with their person can be a lot of fun. Before considering this activity, think about your own running skills. It is important that you be capable and ready to run prior to bringing your pup along. Should you feel comfortable running, and your canine companion appears to be in good shape, go ahead and give running a try. As with hiking, start small and see how your dog does. You can continually increase distance and speed as both you and your pooch develop additional strength and endurance.

Take a Long Hike

An ambitious dog will welcome the challenge of a long hike, even one with a large amount of elevation gain. Make sure to bring plenty of water, a portable water bowl, waste bags and some treats. Depending on the fitness level of your pup, you will likely want to start with short hikes, increasing the distance and elevation gain as your dog gains experience. Make sure to regularly offer your pooch water when you are hiking to ensure that they do not wind up dehydrated. A nice long hike will give you and your pup plenty of time to bond as you enjoy an outdoor adventure together.

Conclusion

As the companion of an ambitious dog, you may wonder how to keep them satisfied. After all, your pup is ready to make it happen. Fortunately, a myriad of activities are available that can keep your pup engaged and challenged, while allowing for you to spend time together and further your bond with one another. Whether your pup is energetic or slowing down a bit, there is something that you can do with them to help meet their need to accomplish. Fortunately, many activities are available that don't mandate that you can keep up with your pooch yourself! Regardless of the activity that you choose, you will no doubt enjoy the time spent with your canine companion.