Activities For Fo-Tzus
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Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
If you are looking for an adorable little dog with an independent, stubborn streak, you found it with the Fo-Tzu. This cross-breed is a mix between a Shih-Tzu and a Toy Fox Terrier, so they don't get much larger than 13 inches tall and only weigh an average of 11 pounds.Â
Since this breed tends to be headstrong, they are not recommended for families with young children or anyone without experience in owning a pet. Fo-Tzus are affectionate but they are also very active. It's recommended that you give your Fo-Tzu a good 45 minutes to an hour of activity each day to keep them healthy and happy. Try some of the activities below to keep your Fo-Tzu stimulated and out of trouble.
Make a Puppy Play Date
Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Cheap
Easy
1 hr
Items needed
Your pup
Another pup
Shareable toys
Activity description
Fo-Tzus are great little apartment dogs due to their size, but they also love company and socialization. They are very smart and love attention, so setting your Fo-Tzu up on a play date with another friendly dog serves multiple purposes: your pup gets to learn socialization skills with other dogs, you get a slight break from the constant demand for attention your four-legged family member wants, and your pup will learn that not all animals are prey — which is counter to their high prey drive that comes with being part terrier. Setting up a play date with restrictions and guidelines — not just any other dog or any place will do — can be a great activity for your pup.
Step
1
Find a friendly dog
When you get two or more dogs together for a playdate, it's important to test the waters first. If your friend has a pup that you are considering making a play date with, introduce them prior to the play date, either at a park or in passing with a short conversation to see how they interact. Your pup (and theirs) will let you know pretty quickly whether it's going to be a hit or a miss. Trust their instinct and go along with it, even if it means passing on this friend's dog and looking for someone else.
Step
2
Set up a play date
Get together with your friend (or the owner of the dog you are having the play date with) and set up a time and place where everyone feels comfortable. This might be a dog park, although having other dogs around can take away the bonding you might have been hoping would happen with your dogs, or even in your own backyard or living room. Be sure it's a place where both dogs will feel comfortable and safe.
Step
3
Bring the dogs and the toys
At the appointed time, date and place, meet up with your pup and some toys. It may be best not to bring Fido's favorites since sharing isn't what Fo-Tzus are best at. But if you are introducing new toys to Fido and the other pup, monitoring them for aggressiveness, and encouraging play, you might be surprised at how well the pup playdate goes! Be sure to schedule another one soon if all goes well!
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Play Red Light, Green Light
Popular
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Any Day
Free
Easy
30 min
Items needed
Your pup
A leash
An open area
Activity description
When you have an energetic dog like a Fo-Tzu, it's important to keep them entertained. They are highly intelligent, so training them in playing games is actually enjoyable for both you and Fido. Teaching games like Red Light, Green Light not only keeps Fido out of trouble, but it also teaches them impulse control and helps you get that stubborn streak out of them that makes them want to pull on their leashes on every walk.
Step
1
Put the leash on Fido
This is one time when it's perfectly okay to use a collared leash for Fido. Since the object of the game is for them not to pull on their collar, you aren't going to be moving much anyway. Use a standard leash of at least six feet long. Don't use the harness you would usually use for a walk or this can confuse Fido.
Step
2
Start the game
In Red Light, Green Light, the players move forward until the leader says, "Red light." Since that's not going to work for Fido right away, you have to have another signal for them to stop. Instead, you simply need to start walking forward — you may even use a signal word like "green light" — until Fido reaches the end of the leash and begins to pull. That's when you stop walking and signal "red light."
Step
3
Repeat
When there's sufficient slack in the leash, you can begin walking again, stopping when Fido pulls. Change directions and speed, but always use the same harness and the same words. After a few times, your stubborn pup should learn that pulling on the leash does not get them the action they are looking for, but they will still enjoy the game!
Step
4
Take it further without the leash
Once your pup has mastered the rules of the game and knows the commands, you can even play without the leash. When it's time for Fido to go, say, "green light," and use "red light" to get them to stop. You'll be thankful you took the time to teach the rules of the game when Fido's impulse control is top-notch!
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Puzzle Toys
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Any Day
Cheap
Easy
1 hr.
Items needed
Dog puzzles
Treats
Activity description
Fo-Tzus are curious and independent, but they are also very smart. You can encourage these traits by letting them play with doggie puzzles when you are gone or too busy to take them out to play. You might even just enjoy watching Fido with their favorite doggie puzzle, cheering them on like puzzle solving is a spectator sport. Fido will love the attention and the challenge of the puzzle — as well as the reward at the end!
Step
1
Purchase a dog puzzle
You can find all sorts of dog puzzles at your local department store or pet shop. They are bright and colorful and made from everything from rubber to plastic. Each puzzle usually has a place inside it where you put a treat so Fido's hard work pays off, and the puzzles are made of dog-friendly skills that test their mettle but are enjoyable. Alternatively, if cost is an issue you can create one of these yourself with odds and ends you have lying around the house.
Step
2
Put the puzzle together
By putting the puzzle together yourself, you get a feel for what Fido is going to go through when it's their turn. Some obstacles along the way will need to be adjusted and made simpler, while others can be more challenging. You don't want the puzzle to be so hard that Fido gives up, discouraged, but you also don't want it so easy that you have to put it together every two minutes.
Step
3
Let Fido play
Once you have the treat safely inside and the puzzle put together, you can introduce it to your dog. You may have to take a few minutes to show them how it works, but most dogs are going to catch on pretty quickly. Fo-Tzus love a challenge, and this is a great way to let them use their curiosity with a satisfying outcome! After they have solved the puzzle and have their treat, you can repeat the process as many times as you'd like.
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More Fun Ideas...
Hall Ball
Hall ball is similar to fetch, but it requires a tennis ball (or Fido's favorite ball) and a wide open hallway. You sit at one end of the hall and roll the ball all the way down the open stretch of hall, letting Fido chase it down and bring it back to you. Commands like "fetch" and "drop it" are good to practice with this game.
Hit the Stairs
You can't take your Fo-Tzu to the gym, but if you have stairs, your pup can still get that exercise in! Instead of using a stairclimber, Fido can get the cardio workout necessary when you throw a ball up the stairs. They'll fetch it and bring it back to you and pretty soon you'll have one tuckered out pup with minimal effort on your part.
Conclusion
With your Fo-Tzu, you now have a pup that loves to play, is energetic and lovable, but is stubborn and highly intelligent. If you don't plan ahead to use these traits in a positive way, it's likely you're going to have some doggie crimes going on when your back is turned. Keep Fido occupied with some of these activities and you'll have a lot more fun and a lot less stress with your Fo-Tzu!