Activities For Chien Francais Tricolore

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Activities For Chien Francais Tricolore

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Introduction

Mon dieu, but it can be difficult to find information on the Chien Francais Tricolore! These droopy-eared sweethearts are even rare in their Gallic homeland. Named for their tan, white and black coat, these cuties can be extremely loyal — but if you’re lucky enough to own one, you’ll know that they can pose certain challenges.

Chien Francais Tricolores were bred to hunt in packs as scent hounds — they’re highly intelligent and don’t take unemployment kindly. Make no bones about it, these doggos need a job to do. They’re also strong athletes who need a lot of exercise. Not to worry — we’ve put together a list of activities to keep your buddy as healthy and happy as can be!

Chase

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Cheap

Normal

30 min

Items needed

Toy

String

Activity description

Pack hunting dogs are at their happiest tearing after something, and a game of chase is the paw-fect way to let your buddy do just that in the security of your local park or back yard! This activity does require a bit of fitness on your part — you’ll be running around with a homemade lure for your buddy to catch. It might be a great opportunity for you and your canine companion to get fit together, but if you’re mobility-impaired or huffing and puffing just thinking about it, you may want to settle for a simple game of fetch instead.

Step

Choose something for your dog to chase

The most important thing to keep in mind when playing chase is that your dog should never be chasing you. You don’t want to teach them that it’s okay to run after a human that’s moving fast! Because of this, it’s best to draw a clear distinction between you and the object that your dog is chasing. One way to do this is by tying a long, sturdy piece of string around a favored toy. Make sure it’s tied securely.

Step

Run!

Once you’ve chosen an item, run around and watch your doggo follow! Once they catch the item, instruct them to drop it and start again. You don’t want to play keep-away with the toy for too long, lest your buddy get frustrated. It’s also worth noting that chase can get a young pup over-excited. Keep a close eye on their energy levels, and be sure to tell them to "stay" if they’re getting hyperactive.

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Scavenger Hunt

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Cheap

Normal

45 min

Items needed

Treats

Activity description

It should go without saying that if there’s one thing that a scent hound like the Chien Francais Tricolore is good at, it’s tracking objects by smell. Harness that ability and keep their brain busy with a good scavenger hunt!

This activity can be done both indoors and out, so it’s a great bet for all kinds of weather (though be warned that if you’re hiding things outdoors, they could get snapped up by other animals). Make sure to hide your treasures in safe spots — you don’t want your pupper to knock something down and injure themselves!

Though your buddy may be bright, it could take them a while to get the hang of the game — the time estimate above refers to the time per training session you’ll need to spend on the task.

Step

Introduce the concept

Though your Chien Francais Tricolore was literally born for this task, it’s best to start slow, particularly if they’re just a puppy! Get your buddy to sit and stay, let them watch you hide the treat, and give them a command — "go get it" or something similar. It shouldn’t take them too long to pick it up!

Step

Make it challenging

Once your doggo has the first step down, it’s time to make the task more difficult. Repeat the game — again, with your pooch watching — with multiple treats. Once they’re good with the repetition, you can hide them in different rooms, or to make it extra challenging, in boxes or other containers.

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Weave Poles

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Moderate

Hard

45 min

Items needed

Poles

Treats

Activity description

Agility training is a pawtastic way to get your buddy’s brain and body working at the same time! Some owners balk at the idea of agility training because they think that the equipment is expensive. Not necessarily! You can construct a doggy obstacle course out of all sorts of things you may have lying around.

Teaching your dog to weave through poles is a great place to start with agility training. A weave pole course is also one of the easiest agility courses to construct — you can make them with garden bamboo canes, or lengths of pipe stuck into the ground.

That being said, this is a training exercise that takes quite a lot of time and patience. Like the treasure hunt, the time estimate refers to the time spent per training session. It could take weeks for your pup to weave like a pro!

Step

Get your dog comfortable with weaving

You’ll first need to make sure that your pooch is okay weaving in and out of objects at all, and the best way to do this is to get them to weave through your legs. At first, tempt them with a treat in your hand, and reward them when they get it right. After a few tries, you can start randomizing rewards before doing away with them altogether.

Step

Introduce the poles

To construct a weave pole circuit, you’ll need 10 to 15 canes, pieces of pipe, or ski poles. Place them in the ground in a row, with enough space so that your pup can navigate between them safely. Using the treat as a lure, get your doggo to weave around the poles. Now is the time to introduce a command word — "weave" or something similar. Reward your furry friend when they get it right!

Step

Space out (and then lose) the rewards

After your canine companion gets comfortable with the cue word, start rewarding them less — give them the treat after a few weaves have been completed. As with the first step, you can then start giving out rewards less frequently before stopping entirely. Remember to be patient — this is a difficult task!

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More Fun Ideas...

Give Your Pup a Food Puzzle

Food puzzles make it easy to keep your pup mentally stimulated! They’re exactly what they sound like — a puzzle for your pooch to solve before they can get at the sweet treats inside. You can make your own, or pick one up from most pet stores.

Go to the Dog Park

Your Chien Francais Tricolore was bred for teamwork, so it’s important for them to have regular socialization with other doggos. Regular trips to the dog park are a pawesome way to make sure they make their own furry friends!

Teach Them the Shell Game

The shell game is a furrific way to give your buddy’s brain something to chew on! Similar to the human version, this involves putting a treat or piece of food under a cup and encouraging your pupper to choose the right one.

Conclusion

Scent hounds and pack hunters have a reputation for being difficult, but it’s by no means impossible to keep your Chien Francais Tricolore entertained! All they need is some tasks designed to keep their brains busy and their bodies active. Give the six activities above a go — you’d be barking mad not to try!