Activities For Border Schnollies

The most common form of Disc Dog events is the Toss and Fetch. In this game, the owner and dog team have 60 seconds to throw and catch a frisbee as many times as possible down a field. The field is marked with distance flags up to 50 meters. The longer the catch, the more points the team earns. Dogs are also given more points for jumping up to catch the frisbee with the most points given to dogs who are completely airborne. Working with your dog to excel at Toss and Fetch events requires them to think quickly about where the frisbee is and run as fast as they can back to the owner for another throw. After a few rounds of practice, your Border Schnollie will be well exercised and happy.

Once you've mastered Toss and Fetch, you and your Border Schnollie might want to try Freestyle. In this event, instead of racing down a field to catch as many frisbees as possible, your dog must perform a practiced routine where they catch frisbees in time with the music. These routines can last from one minute and thirty seconds to three minutes. Dogs perform flips, super-fast catches of multiple discs, and gravity-defying moves. Not only is this one of the most entertaining Disc Dog events, but it's considered the most difficult form of competition. You will need to work with your dog consistently for several years, but the bonds you form with your dog are priceless.

Your Border Schnollie will thrive at competitions, and there are hundreds held all over the country. The largest organization is Skyhoundz, which hosts local Disc Dog competitions all the way up to World Championships. These events are often held in the summertime at fairs. Once your dog has the hang of catching discs, you can enter your local competition for a chance to move on to regional or world competitions. These events are a great way to test your dog's skills and get inspired by other amazing teams.

Before you enroll in a herding class, it's important to test your dog to assess their natural herding instinct. Because your dog is a mix of Border Collie and Schnauzer, you will want to know just how much of the Border Collie's herding instinct your pup inherited. The tests consist of a certified trainer taking your dog into a pen with well-trained sheep. The trainer will evaluate your dog's reaction to the sheep, whether they see them as animals that need to be herded, and how they begin to go about herding the sheep. Your trainer will evaluate your dog's natural reaction and discuss this with you as well as your options to proceed with training.

Before your dog can get in a pen and start herding sheep, they need to be well versed in basic commands like "leave it," "stay," and "come." While Border Collies can be very quick to pick up commands, if your dog inherited the Schnauzer's stubborn personality, these skills may take patience to train. Work with a trainer who is familiar with the breed and be sure your dog can respond to commands even when they are distracted. It's important they learn to control impulses as soon as possible.

Once your dog is responding consistently to commands, it's time to begin working with sheep. Find a local herding dog trainer who holds beginner classes. They will start you and your dog out with experienced sheep who can help train your dog. You'll learn more specialized commands you can practice at home, and they will have older dogs who can help teach your dog the ropes. These classes with start by focusing on communication between you and your dog and body language. When you're ready they will help you move sheep as a team. Your Border Schnollie will come home tired both physically and mentally exhausted.

The first step is to get your Border Schnollie accustomed to wearing a harness. Get them fitted for a comfortable harness that doesn't impede their motion. Let them wear it for five minutes at a time to get them used to it. You can give them treats or play with them outside after so they get excited when you bring out the harness. You can also help them get used to pulling by tying a light bag or tire to the harness. Make sure you don't keep it on long and there is nothing for them to get snagged on.

The next step is to get them used to pulling with the harness on. You can attach a leash to their harness and practice walking behind them holding tension and encouraging them to keep walking. Enlist a friend to walk in front of the dog and encourage them forward with some treats and positive reinforcement. You want your dog to get used to moving with tension on the tow rope, and to be okay with that. Make each training session short and fun so they learn to enjoy the sensation of pulling you when they have the harness.

When the snow hits the ground and your dog is comfortable with pulling the harness, you are ready for skijoring. Have a friend help the first time around. Put on your skis and attach the dog's harness to yours. Have a friend ski in front of your dog and encourage them to run next to them. You may need to ski along with your dog, especially uphill, to keep them going. Keep these first sessions short and positive. Even though your Border Schnollie is full of energy, they will need to work up to skijoring for a long time. Always keep the experience fun and rewarding. Soon you'll be able to ski together for many miles.