Top Activities For Doberman Pits

Introduction

The American Pit Bull Terrier and the Doberman Pinscher are two of the most well-known dog breeds, both of which are renowned for their strength and courageous demeanor. When cross-bred, the result is a designer dog called the Doberman Pit. The appearance and temperament of this hybrid dog vary across litters. In general, however, Doberman Pits tend to inherit the body of the Doberman Pinscher and the facial looks of the Pit Bull. This breed is known for being very athletic, energetic and perceptive. Because of their strong personality, Doberman Pits are recommended for owners that can establish firm leadership while still being kind and affectionate.

Spring Pole

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Cheap

Normal

30 - 45 min

Items needed

Quick link or carabiner

Rope

Spring

Fire hose or a sturdy rope

Activity description

One of the first things that you will notice when you see a Doberman Pit is the breed’s powerful and muscular build. While such a type of body comes naturally to this hybrid dog, it takes training and effort to maintain it. Without enough exercise and physical movement, your muscular Doberman Pit can become overweight, which can be detrimental to their overall health. An effective way to exercise big dogs is a spring pole. This device is great for helping develop your dog’s muscle groups. Another advantage of having a spring pole is that you can provide hours of entertainment for your pooch without having to be present at all times; you can leave your dog alone to play while you do other things around the yard.

Step

1

Gather the needed materials

To make a spring pole for your pooch, you first need to research the procedure to follow as well as the materials needed. Generally, you would need a rope, some quick links or carabiners, a porch spring and something heavy that your dog can hang from (fire hose, another rope). These items are readily available in hardware stores and you should have an easy time finding them.

Step

2

Set up the spring pole

Once you have all the items you need, the next step would be to put them all together to make the pole. Just follow the step-by-step instructions that you found while researching. Take the quick link and attach the spring onto it. Then, add the fire hose on the other end of the spring rope using another quick link. Take the entire apparatus and hang it on a tree or a wooden beam some distance above the ground. Make sure that the spring pole is hanging steadily.

Step

3

Put the spring pole to the test

When you have the spring pole all set up, all you have to do is put your dog’s new toy to the test. Take your pooch out to where the spring pole is and get them interested in it. You may swing the pole around or ask your dog to jump. This activity simulates a game of tug-of-war and stimulates your dog’s different muscle groups.

Jump On and Off

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Free

Normal

15 - 30 min

Items needed

Bench or Grooming Box

Treats

Activity description

The Doberman Pit is a strong and dynamic dog with lots of energy to spare. Hence, as an owner of this breed, it is your responsibility to provide them with enough physical and mental stimulation on a daily basis. Aside from that, you also need to train your dog to perform certain commands and tricks that will ultimately make your life easier as a dog owner. A good activity that combines trick training and exercise is teaching your dog how to jump on and off. What’s great about this activity is that it is totally free and can be done in lots of surfaces and platforms; you just have to get creative with it. Plus, it is beneficial to your Doberman Pit’s overall health.

Step

1

Training platform

The first thing that you need to do to start training your dog to jump on and off is to find a surface or platform. You can use a park bench, a grooming box or any similar platform that is flat. The platform you choose should also be sturdy and big enough for your large Doberman Pit to stand, lay down and sit on.

Step

2

"Jump on" command

As soon as you find the perfect platform to train on, the next thing to do would be to practice the commands. Use the commands “jump on” and “jump off” or any other variation of the command (“on” and “off”) that you prefer. With your dog on a leash, walk your pooch toward the platform. Tap the top of the surface and tell them to “jump on”. You can lure your dog with the treat. Be patient because your dog might not get it the first few times. Keep on trying until your dog figures out how the activity works.

Step

3

"Jump off" command

Once your dog gets the “jump on” command, you can then move on to the “jump off” command. Similar to “jump on”, you can lure your dog using a treat. Make sure that your dog does not jump off the surface before you can give the command. If your pooch makes any indication that they are about to leave, say “no” or “stay” to keep them in place. As you say the “jump off” command, you can look or point at the direction you want your dog to go to. When successfully done, give your dog a treat. Practice this regularly until your dog masters the commands. Over time, you can try this activity on different platforms.

Stability Ball

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Free

Easy

20 - 30 min

Items needed

Stability ball or yoga ball

Treats

Activity description

Just like humans, dogs need a good amount of exercise to stay fit, healthy and in shape. Doberman Pits, in particular, need certain types of activities that will make them stronger and help them retain a muscular figure. A popular piece of human exercise equipment that also does wonders for dogs is a stability ball. This equipment first became popular in Yoga and Pilates. However, dog owners have recently discovered how useful it can be when used on canines. The ball works by getting your dog to use their muscles to maintain stability and balance, thereby strengthening their core and other muscle groups.

Step

1

Introduce the ball

Just like with any equipment or item, your dog first needs to get used to the stability ball before they can start using it for exercise. For this to happen, you should first introduce the ball to your pooch. Let them sniff and play with the ball. You can use treats and reward your dog once they start playing with the ball for extra motivation.

Step

2

Training to balance

Once your dog has built some attachment to the ball, you can start training them to get on the ball. Place your dog’s hind legs gently on top of the ball. If your dog starts resisting, let them go and use treats before trying again. Never force your pooch as this can lead to injuries or make them disinterested in the activity. Once the legs are on top of the ball, assist your dog and hold them in place. Over time, you can make the exercise more challenging by moving away. By letting them balance on their own, your pooch will be forced to use their core to stay stable.

More Fun Ideas...

Tug of War

Tug of war is a classic game that helps build muscles and teach discipline. Take any sturdy toy, a rope or even an old sock and get your dog to bite on it. Hold the other end of the item and pull lightly to initiate the game. Pull back and forth to build resistance. Reward your pooch at the end of the game to instill positive reinforcement.

Go for a Dip

Swimming is one of the most underrated dog activities. Not only is this activity low-impact, it also works out the entire body. But, most importantly, it is a foolproof way to have fun with your furry best friend. Head to a public pool, a lake or the beach and take a dip with your pooch.

Conclusion

The Doberman Pit is a large and muscular dog with a personality that is just as big as they are. Despite their intimidating looks and the reputation of the parent breeds, this designer dog is gentle and affectionate towards their owners and families. With a little bit of coaching, training and socialization, Doberman Pits can be more comfortable around others.