Activities For Doberghans

1k Views
0 Comments
0 Votes

Prepare for unexpected vet bills

Find pet insurance Find pet insurance

Introduction

If you are looking for a dog that can think independently, is highly intelligent, and absolutely loves exercise, it's hard to beat a Doberghan! A doberwhat, you say? A Doberghan is a hybrid breed created from Doberman Pinscher and Afghan Hound parents. The result is a slick, sleek, fearless, and mind-bogglingly fast doggo that will amaze anyone that is lucky enough to meet them. 

For those that have stepped up to the challenge of raising one of these incredible pups, you're definitely going to want to keep your Doberghan occupied. These pooches require a full schedule of activities to satisfy both their thinking abilities and their energy levels. Below, you'll find some of the Doberghan's favorite things to do!

Running

Popular
0 Votes
Sunny Day
Free
Normal
40 - 60 mins
Items needed
Leash
Activity description

There are very few things that a Doberghan will enjoy more than running. Both of the parent breeds are notorious runners, being both strong and aerodynamic in their build. 

Teaching the Doberghan how to be polite on-leash will prove to be quite the task, but once you succeed, your woofer will come to view the leash as their absolute favorite thing. As with any pooch, while running with your dog, stay mindful of how they are responding and never push your pup to run faster or longer than they feel comfortable going. 

After you've mastered the art of running with your Doberghan, it will likely become both of your favorite pastimes!

Step
1
Leash training
To help you get to the point where you and your fur-kid can have a successful run, you'll have to have leash manners fully polished. The Doberman's natural instinct is to pull on the leash, while the Afghan likes to decide their own path. Put that together, and you will find yourself spending a lot of time mastering proper behavior on-leash at the beginning of your relationship.
Step
2
Plot your route
To avoid awkward turn-arounds or painful arm jerks, it can help if you decide exactly what route you are going to take ahead of time. That way, you can confidently lead your pooch without having to slow down in the process. And trust us -- they will not want to slow down! Another great thing about keeping track of your running route is that you get to see exactly how many miles the two of you cover each run!
Step
3
Watch your dog
During your run, be sure to keep an eye on how your Doberghan is moving. Any signs of a limp or sudden slowdowns can alert you to a potential injury or issue. Over time, you may notice your doggo develop arthritis in some of their leg joints. Try to keep your pup from over-exerting themselves if this occurs, and consider supplementing them with vitamins and minerals.
Love this activity?

Fetch

Popular
0 Votes
Sunny Day
Free
Normal
30 mins
Items needed
Ball
Stick
Treats
Activity description
For the Doberghan that leans toward the "Dober", fetch is an activity that will shoot high up the list of things your pupper loves most. At first, you may have to encourage the retrieval portion of the task with treats so that your furry friend doesn't take off, but once that side of things is established, fetch will become a great game to play in your backyard or at the park.

Though a stick is often adequate for the game, many pet stores offer specialized balls that are built to last through many games. There are also special launchers you can get to help hurl the target even further, letting your four-legged pal really stretch out their legs!

Step
1
Find the right object
Our doggos tend to favor certain toys over others. When you're beginning to teach your Doberghan how to fetch, it's important to use something that they really love so that they maintain interest in the game. Test out frisbees, balls, or sticks to see what item your pupper likes the most. Stick with that object until your barky buddy has mastered the game, and do not leave a fenced area until things are solid.
Step
2
Reward retrievals
To encourage your Doberghan to bring the item back to you (and not take off as far as they can run in the other direction like their Afghan Hound roots would tell them to), bring out a handful of treats during each fetch session. Let your pup know you have them, but do not offer any until after they've chased after the item you've thrown. When they come back to you, trade a treat for the item.
Step
3
Increase distance
In the starting phases of fetch, you should keep the throwing distance of the item pretty short. As your pooch shows you they understand the game, you can increase distances, until, eventually, you can hurl the object as far as you possibly can (which your doggo will totally love). At this point, you can also stop offering treats to get your Doberghan to return.
Love this activity?

Obedience Training

Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Moderate
Hard
1 hr
Items needed
Leash
Training Collar
Treats
Activity description

There's no way to beat around the bush -- Doberghans are stubborn, willful, and smart. They will always have the tendency to think for themselves and not follow your direction. To limit the frustration that this thinking power can cause, make sure you enroll in obedience training. 

Because of the headstrong pooch you are up against, it is probably best that you find a very experienced trainer who offers more than just beginner courses. That being said, though it may be like pulling teeth getting your pup to obey you, in most cases, the Doberman desire to learn will win over the Afghan Hound desire to ignore you.

Step
1
Find the right class
When looking for obedience classes near you, take some extra time to call up your top contenders. Ask them specifically if they have any experience training either of the parent breeds of your Doberghan. You're going to want to work with a trainer that is comfortable with the level of resistance your pooch may exhibit during the sessions.
Step
2
Stick with the program
To have any kind of success in training, you'll have to make sure that everyone in your household is ready to use the teaching method. Commands have to be consistent, as do the praise or consequence for unwanted behavior. It may take a bit longer that you're expecting, but with dedication, you can have a very obedient, very loyal Doberghan.
Step
3
Do more than one round
While one obedience class is usually enough for most breeds, the Doberghan may benefit from multiple classes lasting past the adolescent stage. Not only will this help your pooch learn how to behave, it will also strengthen the bond between the two of you, which this devoted doggo is sure to love!
Love this activity?

More Fun Ideas...

Lure Coursing

Any pooch with sighthound in them will go bonkers for lure coursing! This activity uses a bait object pulled by a cord to get the canines on the course running. They chase the lure together, reaching incredible top speeds!

Toy Hunting

For a doggo that loves a challenge, toy hunting is a great way to test out your pup's problem-solving skills. It involves stashing toys that have been rubbed with the scent of treats around your home, and allowing your fur-baby to seek out the goods.

Conclusion

When you have a Doberghan as a family member, you'll always be looking for new fun things to do! Remember to give your energetic canine at least an hour of very active play each and every day, so they can benefit from both physical and mental exercise. 

Once you've finally tired your woofer out, you will be left with a satisfied, calm fur-kid who will have a lot more desire to listen to commands. Not only that, but by embracing the athletic nature of your pooch, you'll probably get out a whole lot more yourself! When trained properly, your Doberghan can become your hiking buddy, your running partner, and your best friend.