Top Activities For Bluetick Coonoodles

Introduction

If you love the loyal and committed personality of a Bluetick Coonhound but are worried about some of their traits such as braying, barking, and obsessive desire to follow scents, why not try out a Bluetick Coonoodle? This designer breed crosses the seriousness and loyalty of the Bluetick with the fun-loving and very trainable Poodle. The Bluetick Coonoodle is an adorable dog with unique traits of both of the canine parents. While these dogs may not have a one-track mind when it comes to following their noses, they still require plenty of activity and mental challenge to keep them from getting into trouble. Activities for Bluetick Coonoodles should be both mentally and physically stimulating.

Agility Challenge

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Moderate

Normal

1 hr

Items needed

Agility membership

Leash

Treats

Activity description

Both Poodles and Bluetick Coonhounds are known for their excellence on the agility course. Agility combines physical challenge with mental focus, which makes it one of the best activities for Bluetick Coonoodles. In agility, the dog and handler need to work as a team. You will need to give your pup very clear and precise cues, and your dog will need to watch you closely to understand where to go and what to do. Agility will help to create a very strong bond between you and your pal, and will keep your dog happy and healthy, and most importantly out of trouble.

Step

1

Get the basics

Before you can get onto the agility course, you need to make sure you and your dog are confident with basic obedience. This creates the foundation of your relationship and your success in agility. Work with a trainer who is familiar with both Coonhounds and Poodles so they can help you understand your Bluetick Coonoodle's unique personality.

Step

2

Find an agility center

Agility is quickly growing in popularity across the country. It shouldn't be too hard to find an agility center or group where you and your dog can train. Sign up for a beginner class where an expert trainer can help you and your dog learn the ropes and begin to work together on the course. Another benefit to joining a class is that you will meet other dog and human partners to practice your new skills with.

Step

3

Enter a competition

Your Bluetick Coonoodle loves to have a job, so training for an agility competition is the perfect activity to get them focused. Many agility competitions have classes for beginners. Don't take your first event too seriously. Use it as a fun goal and a place to start. Then you can watch more advanced teams for inspiration and come home with a few new goals to work on together.

Tracking

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Moderate

Normal

1 hr

Items needed

Meat chunks like hot dog

Course markers

Leash

Treats or rewards

Activity description

Tracking is one of the most natural activities for Bluetick Coonoodles. Both of their parent breeds are excellent hunters, and the Coonhound genes they inherited might be most present in their sensitive nose. When you introduce tracking into their activities, not only are you letting them be exactly who they are, but you will help them learn when it's okay to follow their impulses to track and when you want them to hold off and stay focused with you. When you train them to track, you can train them with commands to follow and alert you when they have found the object they have been tracking.

Step

1

Teach find it

The basis of tracking trials is asking a dog to find a scent to follow. You can start them off by teaching find it as part of a game at home. Start by taking a chunk of hot dog, letting them smell it, and then throwing it out into the yard a few feet away. Say "find it" and encourage them to find the hot dog. This command will not only start them on a trail, but you can use it if they get distracted during the tracking trial to get back on course.

Step

2

Set the course

You'll want to set the course up for your dog first. You can do this in most areas of public land or in fields. Take marking flags or anything that sticks in the ground and is visible and walk a short trail you want your dog to follow, marking it with flags. Next, walk the trail and drop pieces of the hot dog along the trail for them to track. At the end, you can leave them a prize like a favorite toy.

Step

3

Start the track

When the course is set, you can begin your first tracking session. Use a six-foot leash and start the tracking trial. You want to keep your dog leashed because there is a chance they will dart off on another smell. You want them focused on the hot dog. Tell them to find it, and begin tracking. Encourage them on as they find each piece of hotdog you have laid out for them. If they get off track or become confused, center them by telling them to find it again. When they get to the end, let them play with their prize and give them lots of praise and encouragement.

Backyard Fetch

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Cheap

Easy

1 hr

Items needed

Tennis ball

Frisbee

Chuck-it

Activity description

If you have a Bluetick Coonoodle, chances are you have a great backyard with a big fence. Because these dogs require so much activity and exercise, having a backyard to play in makes this feat much easier. One of the best activities for Bluetick Coonoodles is an exciting game of backyard fetch. This game is a little like tag and find it and fetch all at once and will get you breathing hard too. Use multiple fetch items like a tennis ball and a frisbee to keep your dog guessing what you're going to throw next. This game will work both their mind and body, and after an hour or so they will be tired and happy.

Step

1

Get the supplies

It's highly recommended that you use a Chuck-it to throw your tennis balls. You can throw farther with them, you don't have to bend over to pick up the ball, and they keep your hands slobber-free. For backyard fetch, pick up a few different balls and a chuck-it as well as a frisbee or two. In this game, you will be throwing multiple toys to keep your dog guessing and challenge them to watch you closely to see what you do.

Step

2

Lace up your shoes

You're going to be getting quite a workout in this game too. You need to keep it fast-paced, so you will have to run around the yard throwing balls and frisbees for your dog to catch. When you first get outside, have all your toys to throw lined up. Start with a warm up by throwing a ball and waiting for your dog to catch it and bring it back, then throw another ball or frisbee. Start to walk around the yard as your dog is chasing the next object so they need to look and find you when they come back.

Step

3

Pick up the pace

After a few minutes of this, the toys will be scattered all over the yard. Start to pick up your pace and jog to the next toy to throw. Start throwing in unpredictable directions and switching things up each time you go to a new toy. Your dog will need to keep an eye on the toys and on you while they are running. This game will be fun and tiring. After an hour you both will be ready for some rest and relaxation.

More Fun Ideas...

Go for a Walk

Take your dog for a nice long walk on a local trail. Make sure you keep them on a long leash so they don't wander off by following their nose.

Movie night

After a long day of agility or tracking, reward your tired pup with a well deserved relaxing night on the couch with a great dog-themed movie.

Conclusion

When you combine the silly, friendliness of the Poodle and the laid back and focused personality of the Bluetick Coonhound, you get one of the most well-rounded hunting and family dogs out there. The Bluetick Coonoodle can go right from being at your side on hunting or tracking missions, to playing with the kids or curling up for a cozy nap. Activities for the Bluetick Coonoodle should take into account their high need to have a job and their natural ability to track scents. They will be happiest with a good deal of daily exercise and time spent with their families or humans.