Top Activities For Boerboels

Introduction

Boerboel breed dogs, also known as South African Mastiffs, are substantial, powerful animals that were developed in order to help defend South African farms from large predators like hyenas, leopards, and lions. While they are large and strong enough to intimidate most people, these dogs are typically very gentle with their family, particularly the younger members of the family, although they can tend towards overprotective in some situations. This breed of dogs is quite versatile and is typically able to participate in a number of different activities.

Geocaching

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Cheap

Normal

30 - 90 min

Items needed

Leash

Doggy Waste Bags

Treats

Activity description

In the year 2000, a new activity was introduced, known as geocaching. People from all walks of life began to participate in this worldwide treasure hunt using cellular and GPS technology. Participants use an app on their phone to search for a container that contains anything from a simple note to special trackable metal coin that can be purchased directly from the geocaching website. The app gives information regarding the coordinates of the container along with additional information regarding what kind of container it is and what is likely to be enclosed. Dogs that enjoy tracking often enjoy helping their owners locate their quarry when geocaching.

Step

1

Create an account

In order to participant in geocaching, you will need to create a free account as the app is essential for playing the game. This app gives you the tools to locate the item by showing the coordinates for the location of the container, giving you access to an online map, and tracking the location of the phone, then allowing you to log your find. Pertinent information about the contents of the container can often be found on the app.

Step

2

Follow the map

The interactive map that is located on the main webpage, as well as the one located in the app, will help guide you to the correct coordinates and often has a hint or two about the container. The container is allowed to be hidden in, under or behind other objects, sometimes making it difficult to find even with correct coordinates. Dogs that used their skills to track other animals, such as the Boerboel, may be able to help you locate the hidden treasure.

Step

3

Log and share

Once the geocache has been located, shower your pooch with praise and even treats if they helped you to find the container and treasure within. Don’t forget to sign the logbook that is located inside the container and you can either take an item from, exchange items, or add an item to the container, depending on what is found within the container.

Red Light, Green Light

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Free

Normal

5 - 30 min

Items needed

Clicker

Activity description

Dogs like the Boerboel are extremely powerful animals with independent minds, and in order to have a safe and sound companion, it is important that they learn how to control their impulses. Some trainers and pet parents are able to help their canine companions learn to control their impulses using fun training games that mimic games that many schoolchildren have played for a very long time. Red Light, Green Light is one such game, and it can help reinforce that a quick and clear response to any command that you give is expected and will be promptly and properly rewarded.

Step

1

Clicker training

If you have not yet introduced your pooch to the idea of a clicker, it can be quite helpful to ensure that your dog understands how a clicker works in order to properly mark the correct activity. In order to orient your dog to the sound of the clicker, you simply need to ensure that every time that it clicks the dog is given a high-value treat.

Step

2

Red light

When the leader calls out red light while playing this game, all participants should freeze, and the canines need to be taught to either sit or lie down where they are. When they do as they are asked the clicker should be clicked to mark the correct behavior, and the canine should be rewarded immediately. They should remain stationary until the command “Green light“ is given.

Step

3

Green light

When the command "Green light" is given, your Boerboel is released from their sit or their stay and may participate in more active undertakings such as short games of fetch, chasing their favorite person, or even flirt pole play. It is important not to let either the red light or green light option go on too long.

Search for Supper

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Free

Easy

5 - 30 min

Items needed

dog food

Activity description

While feeding your dog a healthy wet food or kibble out of a clean bowl that is placed openly in the same place each night is a perfectly acceptable way to feed your dog, allowing your pet to search for their food can turn dinnertime into a game to add mental stimulation and excitement to their daily lives. Another benefit of feeding your Boerboel this way is that it causes them to slow down when eating rather than wolfing down their food, which may help to prevent bloat, also referred to as gastric torsion, a serious disorder that can be instigated by eating too quickly.

Step

1

Choose a challenge

You can either hide the food, bowl and all, somewhere that is loosely hidden, you can choose to place the food in several bowls then hide those, or you can utilize treat dispensing toys to be hidden throughout the house, adding extra challenge to your canine companion’s regular dinnertime, or you can use a tool like the snuffle mat, designed to slow down your dog's rate of ingestion.

Step

2

Follow the rules

It is important that your Boerboel does not need to break any rules to search for their supper. Avoid hiding food on any surface where human food is frequently lefts, such as dinner tables and kitchen counters and never place the food inside of something you may not want your dog’s nose in, such as purses or backpacks, as this may inspire them to stick their nose into purses or backpacks in other situations, a habit that can prove not only embarrassing, but also deadly.

Step

3

Time to play

Show your dog the food before you hide it, and in most cases, your Boerboel will understand what is expected. It is important that you allow your dog to use their mind and let them find the food on their own. As it becomes easier for your pooch to find their food, increase the challenge and hide the food in a less obvious place.

More Fun Ideas...

Schutzhund

Schutzhund is a training program in which dogs are taught tracking, obedience, and protection techniques in order to protect their owners or other handlers.

Search and Rescue

Boerboel dogs are both independently minded and eager to learn, and these traits are both beneficial for a search and rescue operation.

Conclusion

The Boerboel, a powerful but intelligent farm dog that was developed in South Africa to defend farms against the large predators of South Africa, including hyenas and several types of big cat. They are generally very agile compared to other dogs of their size, and they are considered to be very affectionate with their families, particularly the younger members of the family.