Activities For Black Forest Hounds
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Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
The Black Forest Hound may sound like a deep and mysterious pup (can’t you just picture them running through a dark foggy forest?) but they are in fact a small dog with incredible stamina that also happens to be the national dog of Slovakia. If you have heard this breed referred to as the Slovak Hound, their origin is why! The Black Forest name does actually stem from the fact that they were used to hunt wild boar and other animals through forests. If you are lucky enough to have one of these rare breeds, you may well know that their extreme endurance and stamina is a trait you need to keep in check in order to have a happy pup. These activities will help with that!
Watchdog
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Any Day
Free
Normal
1 hr
Items needed
Friends
Treats
Activity description
Black Forest Hounds may be small but they are strong and also protective of their owners. As a loyal companion dog, they grow close to their family and at the same time, a little wary of strangers. While you can train your Black Forest Hound to be accepting and friendly toward new people, you can also teach them to act as a watchdog and alert you when a new person encroaches on your territory. These smart and dependable pups will gladly act as your protector if you want them to so train them well and you will never feel unsafe again if your Black Forest Hound is around.
Step
1
Bark
Teach your Black Forest Hound to bark on cue. When your dog is naturally barking, say “bark” and then give your dog a treat. Repeat this natural training for a few days and your dog will learn what the word means and be able to bark when you command. A simple bark from your Black Forest Hound will be enough to intimidate anyone.
Step
2
Protector
If you want your Black Forest Hound to act as a guard dog for you or your family. Train them to stand between you and a “stranger”. Have a friend help you with training and, when your friend approaches, guide your dog to always stay between you and the “stranger”. If the “stranger” tries to reach you from the left, have your dog go left as well. If the “stranger” comes toward you from behind, have your Black Forest Hound go behind you as well. If your dog is always in front of you (whether they are looking intimidating or just simply always being there), a “stranger” can never harm you. This is a non-violent way for your dog to protect you.
Step
3
Alert!
Train your dog to protect your house by barking at the sound of a doorbell, a tap on a window or movement outside your house. Many Black Forest Hounds will react in these situations anyway, so when they do, reward them and know that this behavior is appreciated.
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Hunting
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Sunny Day
Moderate
Hard
1 hr
Items needed
Collar
Treats
Activity description
Black Forest Hounds were specifically bred to be hunting dogs and this instinct is deep in their DNA. You can entertain your dog's need to hunt by actually signing them up at a hunting club near you. There are all different types of clubs you can join and the biggest difference is if you would like your dog to be able to hunt real, wild game or simply hunt a simulated, toy animal. Both options will satisfy your dog's hunting desires so the choice is yours! If you find that your Black Forest Hound is especially great at hunting, you can even enroll them in hunting competitions. How will those natural instincts measure up? Time to find out!
Step
1
Club
Find a local hunting club near you where you can bring your dog. Choose between live hunting and simulated hunting and also decide if you would like your dog to be part of a hunting dog pack or work alone (Black Forest Hounds typically hunted by themselves but will also be able to work in a dog pack).
Step
2
Hunt time
When you bring your dog on their first hunt, you will find that they will not require much training thanks to their natural desire to sniff, track and chase. You will want to work on your Black Forest Hound's obedience and their ability to stop and come immediately when called. Returning to you on command is important for your dog's safety and also keeps you in control at all times.
Step
3
Track and return
Let your dog hunt their prey, returning to you when needed. You will be amazed how your dog is able to sniff out what they are looking for, run after their target and, the specialty of a Black Forest Hound, tackle an animal that is much larger than them. So what should our pup hunt first, a real wild boar or a very fast remote-controlled rabbit?
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Scent Games
Popular
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Any Day
Cheap
Easy
20 min
Items needed
Toys
Dog Food
Treats
Activity description
Black Forest Hounds are scent driven dogs and actually the only native scent hound of Slovakia. The breed's ability to follow a scent trail is why they were so popular as wild boar hunters. If you don’t want to bring your dog on actual hunts, you can entertain their ability to follow a scent by setting up a few scent related games right at home. In fact, many of these activities are perfect for days when you are stuck inside due to weather or when you need to leave your Black Forest Hound home alone. When a Black Forest Hound is given a scent challenge, they are guaranteed to be a happy and busy dog!
Step
1
Treat trail
Leave a trail of treats for your dog to follow that ends at a larger food prize. After setting up this activity a few times, remove the trail of treats and just have one hidden reward that your dog will have to sniff out. Make it difficult for your dog to find as their keen noses won’t take long to discover where the treats are hiding.
Step
2
Bowl hide
If your dog loves playing the treat trail game, why not hide their whole food bowl? Rather than just placing your dog's meal in front of them on the floor, hide it somewhere that they may not expect. When your dog has to work for their food, this will not only engage their powerful nose but also their natural instinct to hunt - a dual purpose game!
Step
3
Toy hide
Bury your dog's favorite toy in your yard and see if your Black Forest Hound can find it. Once the toy is buried, let your eager hound loose in the yard and ask them to find the toy. Speak in an encouraging and exciting tone so your pup knows that you are trying to play. They will naturally start sniffing for the toy in question and start digging when they finally pick up the smell.
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More Fun Ideas...
Search and Rescue
Enroll your dog in classes to become a search and rescue pup. A Black Forest Hound's incredible nose paired with their super strength makes for a powerful search and rescue pup.
New Pet
Ask a friend with a pet to rub a towel on their pet and then hide the towel in your house. See how long it takes for your Black Forest Hound to find the “new pet”.
Conclusion
Black Forest Hounds are a rare and exciting breed of dog. They are full of energy when outside and ready to play but can be relaxed and docile when at home with you. They love their family and will be loyal to anyone who cares for them so return the love by providing your Black Forest Hound with lots of things to do to stay busy. When your dog is happy and taken care of, you will also be happy and be able to enjoy a fun filled life with your pup.