Activities For Border Jacks
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Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
The Border Jack is a small dog but what they lack in size, they make up for in energy! A combination of the Border Collie and the Jack Russell Terrier, they are almost hyperactive. This is one dog who is not content to just sit around all day and sleep. You have to wear this canine out! Pack plenty of activity into their day and challenge them with tasks, outings and puzzles. Otherwise, they may start herding the kids, the cat or your visitors. Make sure you start their day with a good walk. Move at a fast pace and if you can stop at a dog park and let them run free, that will help. A game of fetch will burn a bit of energy, and if you are fit enough, run home! You will get fit with this pup around.
Find the Treats
Popular
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Any Day
Cheap
Normal
30 - 60 min
Items needed
Cardboard boxes
Treats
Activity description
Make your dog work for any treats that they get. This activity starts with the instruction to your dog to 'find the treat'. All you have to do is toss it to one side and they will be all over it. Then you can make the game harder and harder. Get them to work off the treats they are earning. This activity is good practice for teaching your dog to follow your commands. They learn that a job well done earns a tasty treat and we all know how much dogs love food! As the game gets harder, playing the game teaches your dog to focus and use logic and their nose to find where you have hidden the treat. Don't make it so hard that they give up. Let them have the occasional easy treat, but then up the ante and make them work for the next one. Your Border Jack will love solving the problem and getting a treat. They could probably play all day, but that is going too far.
Step
1
Toss and find
The first part of this game is easy. With your dog at your side, you just toss a treat and give them the order to 'find the treat'. Keep the game like this for the first few throws, then make it harder. Make your dog sit and stay, and go and hide a few treats so that they can still see what you are doing. Then again, get them to go and find the treasure. They will check every spot you have been to, but this time only some of the spots have a treat! This calls on your dog to use their wonderful nose to seek and find those treats. They will earn the right for a treat.
Step
2
Getting warmer or colder
So far, the game has been pretty easy for your dog. But it is about to get a lot harder. This time, leave your dog to sit and stay, and go into another room where they can't see you hide the treats. There is no sense apart from smell that they will be able to use. Once you have hidden a few small bits, call in your detective dog. This time it will take them a bit longer as they track your scent. Only leave a treat at every second or third spot; make your dog work hard to get the treat. If they are finding it hard, use verbal tone to direct them. If they are getting closer to the treat, act excited and say 'getting warm'. If they head away from the treat, act calm and say 'colder'. They will soon catch on and the treat will be found an devoured!
Step
3
The last challenge
Finally, put a treat in a couple of boxes. Let your dog watch as you tape the box closed, then leave them sitting while you go and hide the box. On command, they have to seek out the box; then, when they find it they will have to tear their way into the box. Don't let them eat the box! Make these treats a bit larger, make it worth the effort. When they break in, applaud and praise your dog. When they have found all the boxes, signal the game is over with a cuddle and a final treat. Hopefully, your dog has worked hard enough to wear those treats off!
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River Day
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Sunny Day
Moderate
Normal
4 - 6 hrs
Items needed
Canoe
leash
Water and snacks
Camera
Doggy Life Vest
Activity description
By planning ahead, you can take your active Border Jack and spend a day, or even just half a day, exploring the river. While there is a price to pay for canoe hire and perhaps a lesson or two, it will be well worth the price and the effort. Imagine gliding along the water, exploring secluded beaches and taking in the sights. You will need a life vest for your dog in case they leap out whilst in deep water. Keep away from the tidal meeting between river and sea as it needs an experienced canoeist for these areas. Your dog will enjoy being the lookout and feeling the breeze tickle their ears. Stop occasionally to get out and stretch the legs, and to have a mini explore or just laze in the sun. Your dog will love all the new sights, smells and of course, they will adore just being with you. The fresh air and excitement will mean a tired dog when you get home.
Step
1
Get an early start
The early morning is a beautiful time to be gliding on the river. Get up early and head away on your adventure. Make sure you have some treats and plenty of water on hand for your Border Jack, as they will use a lot of energy today. If they have never been in a canoe before, take some time to get them used to the movement of the craft. Let them get in and check it out before actually putting it in the water. If it is their first time, pop on a dog life jacket just in case they get excited and jump out of the canoe. Then get in with them, and quietly glide out around the river, perhaps in the shallow area until your dog adapts.
Step
2
Cruising along
Your Border Jack will soon love just gliding along in the quiet morning. The smells will be exciting and we all know how they love a breeze in their face! Make sure you have a camera handy to take some great shots to remember this day. Glide into a nice cove and spend some time exploring or just playing fetch on the beach. The great thing about a canoe is that you can pull into some amazing, little-known beaches or coves and have them all to yourselves.
Step
3
Returning to home base
Heading back to the start of your adventure to return the canoe is often a time for some fun. Your dog may want a swim before returning. At the canoe return, your dog will be starting to feel a bit weary, so take some time for a bit of a rest and give them a chance to refuel with some energizing dog treats. Then, it's time to head home, so strap your Border Jack in the car and let them take in the breeze on the drive home. What a day they have had, one they will be happy to repeat as often as you like!
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Action Ball Roundup
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Rainy Day
Moderate
Normal
30 - 60 min
Items needed
Action ball - a self moving toy
Activity description
The action ball is a lively toy, one that when turned on and put down will move by itself or when it senses something is nearby. It is funny to see your dog's reaction to this 'creature'. They will get close but leap away when the ball chases them! They will bark at it, growl at it and do all sorts of strange but funny things. If you have a camera handy you will get some great shots. These balls are wonderful to encourage your Border Jack to play, and your curious pal will use up a lot of energy by feigning attacks and keeping out of this weird monsters way. It also is mentally challenging as they try to figure out what this toy is. It looks like a ball, but it doesn't act like one! What the heck is it? They will try to herd it, but it won't comply. They can try to attack it but they are not sure if it is safe - so they won't go too close. The toy is well worth the money to keep this action-packed dog occupied.
Step
1
Purchase the toy
Grab one of these self-activated balls next time you are in the pet store. They vary in price depending on make and what they do. Prices can range from $18 - $30 depending on what you want. But, they are a ton of fun as your dog tries to figure out what this ball-like creature is and how they can handle this toy. Some toys emit a funny noise, which is even more fun. Next time wet weather confines you and your dog to the house, pull out this secret weapon which will keep your dog enthralled for ages
Step
2
Release the toy
Your dog will be excited when they see you with a new ball - until you turn it on, put it down on the floor and watch as the ball takes off. Make sure you capture the expression on your dog's face, it will be priceless. As the ball moves and stops, your dog will try bouncing at the toy but will never actually touch it - that is too dangerous! They will growl, bark, and whine at the toy but will love chasing it. They will never know what it is going to do next, as the toy is unpredictable. Your Border Jack will try to herd the toy, but the toy won't comply! This toy will test your pup's patience!
Step
3
Take a break
Set a time for this game and at half-time call a break for time out. Pick up the ball and move it out of sight or your dog won't be able to relax. When the game is over, turn the toy off, let your dog meet the toy, then put it away out of sight until another day. This toy is your secret weapon to fight doggie boredom. Perhaps, once the game is over, the weather will have cleared enough to take a quick jog around the block. The Border Jack is an active dog that needs a lot of physical and mental challenges.
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More Fun Ideas...
Collecting Pine Cones
Pinecones are decorative, great for crafts or ideal as fuel for a fire. Train your Border Jack to go and fetch them for you, and to drop them into a basket. Your pup will love this activity; not only is it a walk or drive to a park or forest, but there will be many smells to investigate as they work. Remember to give them a treat reward to keep them motivated. You will soon get to know the areas where you can find the pinecones so that your pup can to get to work collecting.
Fetch With a Difference
You can purchase balls from the pet shop that are unpredictable in where they bounce. Instead of bouncing in a straight line, they bounce backward, to the side, or round in a circle. This will provide a lot more activity and chasing for your Border Jack. They will have to change direction quickly, and just when they think they have it, the ball will bounce over their head and back the way it came! These balls are a real challenge to catch, just what you need for an energetic dog!
Dig Time
If you are close to a pet-friendly beach, take your dog out for a few hours and let them loose to run and play with the other dogs. Then, start digging a hole. When they see you digging, they will want to outdo you so your pup will magically appear at your side to help you dig. They will think you must be looking for something great as you don't normally dig! They will really get into this activity. If you drop a small reward in the hole it will keep them motivated.
Conclusion
The Border Jack will try anything you want as long as it's fun and there is the chance of a treat to be won. They can be taught tricks, and are a real comedian to live with. Their adorable temperament more than makes up for the hint of stubbornness you may find. The secret with this pup is to make everything fun. Give a ton of praise, and reward tricks with small snippets of treats. Before you know it, they will be rolling over and doing other tricks like a pro. Activities that challenge them physically are important, as excess energy can lead them into trouble. Being a digger, they will rearrange your backyard in one afternoon if they are left alone too long. So leave out a food dispensing toy when you are away, or a ball to play with - keep them busy and out of temptation's way.