Activities For Entlebucher Pits
Introduction
The Entlebucher Pit is a cross between the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Entlebucher Mountain Dog. Many people are wary of owning any type of Pit Bull because of their tragic history of being bred to fight dogs and other animals in rings. However, the breed has since been rehabilitated into a friendly and protective breed.
The Entlebucher Mountain Dog originated in Switzerland over 2,000 years ago as a herding dog that guarded livestock in the steep mountains. The breed was only recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2011.Because of their history as herding and fighting dogs, Entlebucher Pits have high levels of energy and a stubborn streak. While they get along with children and other pets, they should be supervised during all interactions. The Mountain Dog part of the Entlebucher could enjoy hours of running, but the American Pit Bull genes have lower energy and might not enjoy such a long exercise. Instead, try a few walks or different activities two or three times throughout the day to make sure your pup gets adequate exercise.
Obedience Training
Entlebucher Pits are known to be friendly, yet stubborn. Given their size and strength, the best way to teach them to follow your commands is with obedience training that uses positive reinforcement. Some professional trainers believe dogs need to be shown that their owner is the alpha and use physical submission to train the dog. That might work, but it’s also much more likely to cause aggression in your dog than teach them anything. Dogs are eager to please by nature, and verbal praise lets them know that they are making their owner happy. That will make them more willing to learn than submitting.
Trip to the Dog Park
Dog parks are a great place to take your dog to practice their socialization skills. You can even practice training, but it’s not advisable to bring treats into a dog park. Other dogs might also respond to the clicker, but that would give your pup a chance to learn how to interact with other dogs.
Many dog parks require proof of vaccinations before allowing dogs into the park for everyone’s protection. Other parks don’t allow children, which is a good thing because many dogs might mistake running kids as prey and give chase. Be sure to look up any rules and regulations at the dog park you plan to visit before arriving.
Herding
Half of your dog’s ancestry involved herding cattle and sheep thousands of years ago in the Swiss mountains. If your dog displays any herding instincts, you can find a local farm that offers herding activities. However, your dog could hurt small children by attempting to herd them, so it’s important to supervise any interaction between children and your Entlebucher Pit.
Farms that offer herding activities are usually in the country, which could be quite a drive if you live in the city. The price is a little hefty because of the novelty of herding farms. It’s an activity best done on sunny days.
More Fun Ideas...
Tug
Tug-of-war is best played with a long rope toy to keep your hands far away from your dog’s mouth. You can also turn tug-of-war into a game of fetch if your dog seems bored. However, you want to be careful about how you play with your pup. Playing too aggressively can cause your dog to accidentally nip you. If your dog is getting too worked up during playtime, take a time-out.
Jogging
The Entlebucher Mountain Dog part of your Entlebucher Pit could run for hours without needing to rest. The American Pit Bull Terrier part, on the other hand, isn’t so keen on an endless run. A short jog is a good compromise for your dog. Many pet stores sell special harnesses to use for jogging to keep your dog attached to you, but with enough leeway so you won’t be injured if they take off after a rabbit. Use treats when training your pup to use the jogging harness. Don’t forget the water to keep your pup hydrated.
Conclusion
Despite a sad ancestry of dog-fighting, the American Pit Bull mixed breed known as Entlebucher Pits are cheerful, friendly dogs who love to play. However, because of their stubborn streak, they need obedience training from an early age. Obedience training done with positive reinforcement sets the foundation for all the other activities and earn your dog’s respect.
Other activities you can do with your pup are a trip to the dog park, jogging and a trip to a farm for a day of herding. You can also play classic dog games such as tug or fetch. Your pup doesn’t like to be far from their family and can be protective, and it's important to keep your dog under a watchful eye.