Activities For Bossies

The first step is to introduce them to the walking devices you will be using now and into the future. It's up to you what these may be. Some people prefer a simple collar and leash, while others like a full harness. Your choice will depend on your dog's size and how much you think they need your control at this point.

Lunging is quite a common problem in Shepherds (and therefore, Bossies), particularly curious ones that want to check out more of the world than you're prepared to allow. If you find yourself being pulled forward on your walks, then it's time to take action. Predict their behavior and work out what makes them lunge. Is it the skateboarder going past? Birds and other wildlife? A car? Predict the behavior and redirect it. When you see a potential "lunge trigger," get their attention with a treat to avoid it. Before long, you can wean them off the snacks and avoid the lunging behavior.

Barking is another common problem on the leash, but not one you need to endure. Some dogs bark at other dogs on a walk out of boredom. You may find that they bark more if you haven't exercised them as much lately. The key to preventing barking is by making sure they get at least an hour or more of exercise per day.

Before you go and stock up on chew toys, get an idea of the type of chewer your Bossie is. Do they have sharp teeth that will nail a regular chew toy in seconds? Pet stores cater to all manner of chewers. You can get durable rubber toys that last the distance or fun squeaky toys that don't last but provide a lot of entertainment.

Some toys are multi-faceted - featuring areas for treats alongside being a fun toy. If you need to provide your pup with mental stimulation to keep them out of trouble, choose a toy that enables you to add treats. Opt for healthy treats such as brown rice, sweet potato, and peanut butter.

Even though the goal of chew toys is to give your pup something to do while you're busy, it's still a good idea to supervise. Where possible, set down the treat and toys somewhere in the house where you can view them from time to time. Doing so can stop them creating havoc.

The first step is to familiarize your dog with going through the hoop. Place it at ground level with the bottom rim flat on the floor or ground. Place a treat through the circle, encouraging your dog to walk through it to get it. If they don't, they don't get a treat. Praise your pup once they complete the walk-through with high-energy, positive reinforcement. Repeat a few times.

After practicing getting your Bossie to walk through the hoop and familiarizing them with it, you can lift it an inch off the ground. When you poke the treat through it, use the trigger word "jump" as they go through it. Offer the treat and positive praise when they complete it, but no praise or treat when they don't.

Keep repeating the process throughout many days until you can raise the hoop high enough for them to leap through. Once again, given the Bossie's parentage, it won't take too long. This activity is all about practice making perfect, but it also burns up a lot of energy in the process!