Activities For Belgian Shepadoodles
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Introduction
If you own a Belgian Shepadoodle then you are surely looking for new games and activities for your pup. That is because this breed is known to be quite active and intelligent which means they will need to play or else they may get bored - no one wants a bored Belgian Shepadoodle on their hands! Don’t worry! All of these activities have been handpicked to be perfect for your pup based on their heritage and what they are naturally inclined to enjoy.
Emotions
Popular
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Any Day
Free
Normal
1 hr
Items needed
Treats
Activity description
While you may already know how smart your Belgian Shepadoodle is (they probably learned how to sit and stay in just a few hours!), you may not know how sensitive they are to human emotion. Have you ever been sad and your Belgian Shepadoodle instantly tries to console you? Have you ever been angry and your Belgian Shepadoodle hides and stays out of your path? This is because this breed is very emotionally intelligent and can sense how their owner is feeling. So, why not make a game out of it? Teach your Belgian Shepadoodle different emotions as a fun way to become even more in tune with your dog.
Step
1
Feelings
Start by identifying a few emotions you would like your pup to learn. Happy, sad and angry are a good place to start as they are all very distinct and emotions that you may feel frequently. Once you have decided what you will be teaching, grab a bunch of treats and have them in your pockets at all times.
Step
2
Natural emotions
Show your dog each emotion and simultaneously have them react. So, if you want your dog to spin in a circle or jump up when you are happy, say “happy”, smile, laugh and use a treat to guide your dog in a circle and then hold it high for them to jump to. Repeat this action again and while your pup is learning the motion, be sure to act happy!
Step
3
Show those emotions
Move on to the other emotions (you can really teach a new one almost every week- there are so many to learn!). For sad, have your Belgian Shepadoodle lie down and put their paws over your head. For angry, train your pup to go lie in a corner. Once your dog can recognize emotions and react to how they have been trained, they will naturally react when you are naturally happy, sad or angry. Such a smart pup!
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Appropriate Barking
Popular
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Any Day
Free
Normal
1 hr
Items needed
Training Clicker
Treats
Activity description
Belgian Shepadoodles come from a long line of barkers. Both sides of their genetic makeup, the Belgian Shepherd and the Poodle, are known to bark frequently. Unfortunately, this trait has carried through to your Belgian Shepadoodle. While you may be lucky enough to have a pup who only barks occasionally, most Belgian Shepadoodles will have a bark that is enough to drive an owner crazy! Don’t let your dog's bark drive you mad, instead just train them when it is okay to bark and to be responsive of your command to be quiet. This will allow your dog to bark as they are prone to do while also staying under your control.
Step
1
Bark!
Begin by teaching your dog how to bark on cue. It may seem counterintuitive but this is how they will also learn to control their voice. Carry treats around with you for several days and whenever your pup naturally barks, say “bark” or “speak” and then toss them a treat. After a few days, your dog will learn the word “bark” and expect a treat right after!
Step
2
When to bark
When the doorbell rings or a dog walks by the house or any other situation where you would like your dog to alert you, say “bark”. When your Belgian Shepadoodle begins to bark, reward them and then follow that reward with the word “stop”. When your pup ceases barking reward them again.
Step
3
Bark...now!
Practice barking on cue as well as stopping on cue. If the word “stop” alone is not working, try using a training clicker to encourage the “stop”. The clicking sound will make your dog pause and immediately be quiet and give you the chance to quickly reward the controlled behavior.
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Treibball
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Sunny Day
Cheap
Hard
1 hr
Items needed
Goal
Exercise Balls
Treats
Activity description
Belgian Shepherds were bred to be herding dogs and this need to herd, organize and control a crowd is in your pup's blood. However, you may not have a farm of animals for your pup to herd. Not only does your Belgian Shepadoodle love to herd but they also enjoy the physical energy expended when herding as well as the mental stimulation associated with gathering and organizing animals. Finding a way to provide your dog the opportunity to run and herd is invaluable to your pup's happiness. A dog who has spent the day running and using their brain will be a happy and tired pup! Treibball is the perfect way to accomplish this with your Belgian Shepadoodle.
Step
1
Get ready
Get your equipment ready and head to a flat field where you can set up your Treibball game. Eight exercise balls, as well as a goal, are needed! Set the goal at one end of the field and distribute the balls throughout the main section. Grab a few treats, maybe a whistle to help you with your commands and your Belgian Shepadoodle and get ready to play!
Step
2
Directions
Begin by teaching your dog how to push the exercise ball with their head based on your commands. If you say “left and blow the whistle once, show your pup how to run forward and guide the ball to the left. When you command “right” and blow the whistle twice, have your pup bring the ball to the right. Once you have mastered the direction and movement of one ball, the game will be a piece of cake! It may take a few days to get this part down so be patient - even just training for treibball is great exercise for your dog!
Step
3
Play and learn
Play the real game by having your pup guide each ball into the goal. Use your whistle, your words and your pocket full of treats to help your dog “herd” the balls to their end location. Once your pup starts getting faster at herding, consider a local treibball competition where your pup can show off their treibball skills and maybe even win a game or two!
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More Fun Ideas...
Nip the Nip
Belgian Shepadoodles are known to nip people due to their herding background (a gentle nip can be a way a dog gets a sheep moving in the right direction). Train your pup that nipping is bad from a young age by saying “no” sharply and then praising them when they stop.
Run Together
A Belgian Shepadoodle will greatly benefit from a nice afternoon jog with you. Grab your dog's collar and leash and head out for a run around the block. Always match your dog's pace and go the speed at which they are comfortable.
Conclusion
Belgian Shepadoodles sure are full of energy and that is one reason why you likely love your dog. Provide them with many ways to get that excess energy out and you will have one happy, well-adjusted dog. Remember that playing with your dog is fun for you too so take some pride in all the training you accomplish and do the games you and your dog like best. Belgian Shepadoodles are a loyal breed so a happy, well cared for dog will stick by your side through anything!