Activities For Chow Shepherds
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Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
An ever faithful furry friend, the Chow Shepherd is a hybrid dog that is one part Chow Chow and one part German Shepherd. Chow Chows are known for their compact size, fluffy coat, and playful personality. German Shepherds are renowned for their ability to tackle numerous tasks and fill various roles when called upon to do so. Mix these two contrasting breeds together and you get a dog that knows how to have a good time as well as get stuff done. There aren't many Chow Shepherds out there, especially when compared to either of their parent breeds, but this is still one of the more popular hybrid dog breeds available.
RC Mouse Hunt
Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Cheap
Easy
20 - 30 min
Items needed
Remote Controlled Mouse
Treats
Activity description
Hunting down mice is a habit that's usually associated with cats, but a protective dog like a Chow Shepherd is just as likely to give to chase to a stray mouse that trespasses in their home. This activity plays on the Chow Shepherd's instinct to chase down small creatures, known by animal pundits as a dog's "prey drive," to get them up, moving, and working out. You'll need a remote control mouse toy and some batteries for this activity, as well as a clear area with flat ground. All in all, this activity should only cost about $30 or less and can be attempted during any kind of weather that suits your fancy.
Step
1
Test drive
For reasons that are totally 100% practical and scientific, we think you should spend some time playing with the RC mouse on your own. Doing so will help you learn how to control the toy, which will, in turn, help you entice your dog during the actual hunt. You might be surprised how much fun you end having with this toy in the process!
Step
2
The hunt is on
Now it's game time; take your dog to an empty basketball court or parking lot and kick off the chase. If your Chow Shepherd doesn't immediately start booking it after the RC mouse, then try taping a treat to the top of the mouse to further entice your dog. If you live in an area with enough space, you can even play this game in your backyard. or front driveway.
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Custom Costumes
Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Moderate
Normal
30 - 45 min
Items needed
Dog-Friendly Fabrics
Scissors and Glue
Rulers and Measuring Tape
Activity description
Chow Chows are one of the select few dog breeds that seem to be able to rock any outfit or hat that their human companions throw at them. German Shepherds clean up pretty nicely themselves, looking particularly sharp in a pair of sunglasses. This activity will call for you to create a custom costume for your Chow Shepherd in order to continue the tradition of dressing up dogs in adorable outfits. You can either literally create an outfit for your Chow Shepherd using various fabrics and clothes or you can contact a company that specializes in this sort of thing and have them tackle the task at hand. Either way, this is a moderately priced activity that can be repeated over and over, allowing for fun throughout the year.
Step
1
Measure up
Whether you plan on creating the costume yourself or not, you'll need to get your Chow Shepherd's measurements. Using the tape measure, you're going to grab one end of the device and slowly stretch it around your dog's various body parts. If the measure barely fits around your dog's body, then the fit will be too tight. Pull the measure out enough so that your dog will have some breathing room.
Step
2
Handicraft
Now that you have your dog's measurements, you'll need to cut out enough fabric to create the costume. For example, if you measure your dog as having a length of 15 inches, then you will need to cut out two pieces of 15 inch long fabric if you'd like to make a shirt. Sew those two pieces of fabric together by their edges, cut out a few holes for your dog's head and arms, and take pride in your handiwork.
Step
3
Third party support
There are a number of websites and companies that can create the clothes for you - provided you can give them the correct measurements for your dog. If you've followed the first step of this activity, then you'll already have those measurements on deck and will just need to pay for the actual process. The Personalization Mall is one such company that will do the job for about $10 (plus shipping and handling).
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Sand Dash
Popular
0 Votes
Sunny Day
Cheap
Hard
1 - 2 hrs
Items needed
Hands Free Dog Leash
Waste Bags
Towels
Activity description
The hardest activity in this guide is also one of the cheapest. As the name implies, a sand dash is a toned down version of a 100 meter dash. It's only toned down in terms of length though, as running through sand is 10 times more difficult than running on solid ground. Folks who have been running for a long time will probably be able to sprint through the sand, which is the ultimate goal of this activity, early on. Inexperienced runners will need to work their way up but can get there with enough practice. Chow Shepherds will take to this activity much more naturally than a human, unless they've really been off their diets.
Step
1
A typical set
A typical set for this activity consists of running as fast as you can in one direction until you reach a predetermined goal. When you do reach your goal, turn around and start sprinting in the other direction. Trust us, it sounds a lot easier than it actually is. Don't get discouraged if you find yourself running out of breath or tiring out before you can complete a full lap or set. Slow things down and keep pushing through - eventually your body will catch up with your mind and you'll be able to do this activity with relative ease. Keep your eye on your Chow Shepherd; they can heat up while doing this activity so be sure to hydrate often.
Step
2
Alterations
Once you get used to sprinting through the sand, you can start incorporating a number of alternative workouts into your run. You and your dog can start sidestepping through the sand, jumping from one place to another, and even bear crawling through the sand... if you are super keen! The easier sprinting gets for you and your dog, the more intense you'll need to make your workouts to continue feeling the burn. Be sure to take some shade and a rest now and then!
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More Fun Ideas...
Jam Session
Dogs like music just as humans do - all the way down to possessing personal preferences for different styles and genres of music. The next time you feel like having a lazy day at home with your dog, put on some music. Play different genres, even stuff you may not personally be into, and see which kinds of music get the most interesting responses from your Chow Shepherd.
Paw Painting
Here's another activity that'll require you and your dog to get crafty. Paw painting is a lot like finger painting, only your Chow Shepherd's paw will be the brush with which you'll bring your ideas to life! In all likelihood, your dog may just paw at the canvas with reckless abandon, creating a facsimile of objects they've seen before at best.
Conclusion
Chow Shepherds are very intelligent dogs, so it'll be important for you to continue looking for new activities to do with your dog over time. We've published numerous articles about German Shepherds, Chow Chows, and other hybrid dogs that share at least one parent with the Chow Shepherd. We recommend checking those guides out so you can get an idea of the different kinds of activities you can do with a Chow Shepherd. Besides their intelligence, Chow Shepherds are known to be very protective of their families - this means that you'll want to introduce your dog to any friends and family members who'll frequent your place of dwelling as soon as you adopt one of these guys.