Activities For An Affen Tzu

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Activities For An Affen Tzu

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Introduction

Living in an apartment or having limited yard space opens you up to the possibility of owning a small dog – even if you think you couldn’t have one at all. And, if you like the low maintenance approach to a little dog, then you will be so pleased you decided to adopt an Affen Tzu. Small in size yet large in character, they are a loving and loyal dog that will become man’s best friend in no time. Affen Tzus are a cross between a Shih Tzu and an Affenpinscher. As a result, they bond closely to humans, all the while featuring that spunk and sass the Shih Tzu breed presents. The Affen Tzu is a low maintenance dog with an exercise requirement that reflects their size. As a result, they are suitable for those who don’t have a lot of time or space for play. However, if you want to treat your Affen Tzu to some fun, you will find a few great options below.

Ball Game

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Cheap

Easy

20 min

Items needed

Ball

Activity description

With short legs and a tiny frame, there’s every reason to believe playing a game of ball is going to be enough to tire your Affen Tzu out. While they are a ball of fun and have a lot of energy, it also doesn’t take that long to zap that out of them. As a result, all you need to do to fill their fun meter is play a ball game with them. To do so, you only need a ball and a little bit of room. You can either play inside or outside, and 20 minutes is ample to wear them out.

Step

Purchase a ball

Playing a ball game requires you to own a toy ball. However, not every toy on the market is suitable for your dog. Affen Tzus are small dogs, weighing no more than eight pounds. Therefore, they don’t require large items for play, and will not be able to manage them either. When you go out shopping for a toy ball, you will find that some manufacturers advertise them as being suitable for small jaws. They are either hard for tough chewers, soft for dogs that don’t chew, or even have squeakers for a little bit of extra fun.

Step

Set out an area

If you live in an apartment, you will no doubt be playing a ball game inside. Therefore, you need to set aside an area where there are no obstacles and plenty of space for your pampered pooch to run. While they aren’t going to need to run far, they still need to have a clear route to catch the ball and bring it back to you. If you have a yard and the weather is ideal, you will find it’s the perfect place for a game as well.

Step

Play

If you show your dog how much fun a ball can be from a young age, they are sure to develop a passion for it as they age. As a result, ball games can be your ‘go-to’ activity when your pup is beginning to get bored. However, it’s important to remember that older dogs who haven’t had a ball before will be unlikely to show much interest in it. If your pup does, however, you will find they will be more than happy to play with it for 20 minutes or more.

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Puppy School

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Moderate

Hard

1 hr

Items needed

Leash

Treats

Activity description

While a small puppy such as an Affen Tzu isn’t going to be hard for you to manage and control, it is still going to be in your best interests to take them to puppy school early on. An Affen Tzu that isn’t socialized well from the beginning can quickly develop small dog syndrome, as well as be domineering when it comes to their domain and toys. If you have a spare hour per week, book them into a puppy school and help them learn the basics. You can introduce them to other dogs, all the while being able to teach them how to sit, stay and heel. The ultimate goal is for them to know that you are in charge.

Step

Know your dog

Before you begin training, it’s a good idea to find out how your dog is likely to respond to puppy school training. Affen Tzus are known to be quite stubborn dogs, so if you don’t have a lot of patience, you will find your patience wears thin quicker than you think. When you train your Affen Tzu, you need to engage with them a lot, establish yourself as the leader, and be firm and consistent. You also need to continue the training you learned at puppy school at home. Otherwise, you may fail to see results.

Step

Choose a school

You are sure to find there is a puppy school or two in your town. However, do your research to find the best one for your needs. Your vet may recommend a high-quality one, or you may be able to get an exclusive deal at a particular time of year. Shop around and find a puppy school that best suits your dog’s needs as well as your schedule.

Step

Train

When the time comes to attend puppy school – generally at seven or eight weeks of age, you will need to take your leash and possibly a few treats if your trainer recommends it. The course will run for between six and eight weeks usually, and during this time you will learn all there is to know about being a responsible dog owner. What’s more, you will learn how to stay in control of your dog, while helping them get that much-needed dog socialization at the same time.

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Food Puzzles

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Moderate

Normal

1 hr

Items needed

Food puzzle

Treat

Activity description

Because many apartment owners opt for Affen Tzus and other small dogs, it’s crucial to have a list of indoor activities up your sleeve to keep your pup entertained. Food puzzles will tick those boxes easily. Not only do they test your dog’s mental stimulation, but they provide hours of fun while rewarding them for their inquisitive nature. You can either buy food puzzles or make them yourself, and all you need are some treats to put within them. What’s more, they are the perfect rainy-day activity that will test your pup to the limits.

Step

Buy or create

A trip to your local pet store or vet clinic will reveal a range of enjoyable and whimsical food puzzles to appeal to your pup’s intelligence. You can get some for beginners, while others are more suitable for dogs who have knowledge of how the puzzles work. If you are going to buy one rather than make one, you may find a beginner’s puzzle is the best option for your Affen Tzu. At a later date, you can get them something more challenging. If you intend on making one, there are so many options available – such as cereal boxes taped up with goods inside, and plastic bottles with treats they have to work toward the open lid.

Step

Add treats

Now that you have purchased or created food puzzles, it’s a good idea to put real thought into the treats component. If you plan on giving them a lot of food puzzles, you don’t want to overload them on treats that may not be good for them. Instead, you can opt for more healthy alternatives such as frozen sardines, cabbage, capsicum, and sweet potato. While it might not scream “treat” to you, they are foods that many dogs love.

Step

Play

Depending on the food puzzle you bought or made, it’s a good idea to watch your pup as they play. Firstly, it’s a humorous activity you’re sure to enjoy watching but secondly; it’s a good idea for safety. You don’t want them to hurt themselves or choke on loose parts. Food puzzles will provide hours of entertainment for your pampered pooch.

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More Fun Ideas...

Walk

There are many benefits to owning an Affen Tzu, aside from their beautiful nature. One of the main ones is how little exercise they require. A short walk around the park is going to be all they need to fulfill their exercise meter for the day. What’s more, it only takes 20 minutes out of your busy day for them to have the time of their life.

Dog Park

If you’re keen to offer your pup as much dog socialization as possible, then you will find a trip to the dog park very beneficial. Many dog parks feature small dog enclosures, making it a safer alternative to one that puts them all into one. Let your dog sniff around, play with other dogs, and play nicely with the toys you provide as well.

Conclusion

Your Affen Tzu will furever be grateful for the opportunity to take part in any of these activities above. They not only wear them out physically but mentally as well. The more time your dog spends engaged in activities, the less time they have for hiding your shoes or tearing up your household items.