Activities For Foxy Russells

Never throw a dog in the water to make them swim; this will only breed contempt for the activity. Encourage your dog to explore the water's edge and get them accustomed to the feeling of their paws in the water. Having their owner wade around with them can be super encouraging too, so don't forget your swim shorts!

First things first, you will need to size your dog to find a properly fitting life jacket. When you go to put the vest on your dog, be sure to make it a paw-sitive experience. Lots of tasty treats and gentle praise will help your dog remain calm while they get accustomed to their floatation device.

If you want to make the game fun and enticing, then you're going to have to get your pooch excited to play. Pick Fifi's favorite toy or ball and wave it around to get their attention. Once you've called Fifi over, alternate between letting them sniff the toy and putting it behind your back. This will get your pal seriously amped up!

Once you've gotten Fifi's attention, begin tossing the toy back and forth with your (human) partner. Watch your Foxy dart back and forth, following the pitch. Since Foxy Russells are quite short, you should throw some "low balls" every few pitches so Fifi can have a taste of sweet victory!

Don't fret if your local park doesn't have an agility course -- you can DIY a setup for under $50 if you shop smart! PVC pipes are an excellent choice for crafting weave poles, and they are inexpensive to boot! A quick video search can reveal various ways to create a weave pole setup for mere pocket change. You can purchase cones at major online retailers for reasonably cheap. Alternatively, you can use other items as makeshift cones or create your own with cardboard, a box cutter, staple gun (or heavy-duty tape), and bright orange paint. Some other furrific (and much-loved) obstacles you can add are collapsible play tunnels and teeter-totters, but it may be cheaper to buy these additions outright.

Once you've got your DIY agility course set up (or secured a public obstacle course to practice on) you can begin working on the basics. Let your dog explore the obstacles and how they work, and then lead them through the course on-leash. Once your dog has tried their paw at the course a couple of times, encourage them to pick up the pace. Remember, this is a timed sport! Practicing with and without distractions is a great way to work on obedience and to prepare them for competition-like settings.