Activities For Gaddi Kuttas

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Activities For Gaddi Kuttas

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Introduction

The Gaddi Kutta is a large mastiff type dog that developed in India. They are traditionally employed as livestock guardian dogs and are also known as Indian Leopard Dogs due to their ability to protect their charges from the dangerous predators that reside in the Himalayas such as Tibetan Wolves and Snow Leopards. They tend to be more eager to please than most livestock guardian breeds, making them easier to train, and they retain a strong herding instinct as well and are known for herding stray goats and sheep back to the rest of the flock. They are more active than most dogs of their size and are happiest when given plenty of room to roam.

Rally Obedience

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Any Day

Moderate

Normal

15 - 45 min

Items needed

Treats

Leash

Activity description

Rally Obedience, frequently referred to as Rally-O, is a dog sport that is based on advanced obedience training, but while the judges of advanced obedience trials call out commands for the competitors to follow, in Rally Obedience between ten and twenty signs are laid out on a designated course area. It is a team sport that requires good communication between the dog and their handler, and these signs tell the handler what behaviors are expected of their canine companion so that they can properly instruct them. Gaddi Kuttas are more active and more trainable than many other livestock guardian breeds and are perfectly capable of quickly learning the commands required for this mentally stimulating activity. Many books and videos are available to help you to get started in this sport, and the cost for professional training and guidance can range from fifty dollars to over three hundred dollars, depending on how long the course is, whether it is a group or private class, and where it is held. The entrance fee for Rally-O competitions usually run between twenty and twenty-five dollars per class level.

Step

Research and learning

There are many instructional books and videos that outline the process of training dogs for rally obedience, but many pet parents prefer to be guided by a professional trainer or to learn the proper methods with the help of a training group or club. Private one-on-one training ensures that you and your dog have complete attention from the trainer in order to perfect details, but group classes are often an effective training tool as well and provide an opportunity for socialization. Searchable lists of rally obedience groups and training centers can be found on the official websites of both, World Cynosport Rally Limited, a major organization for Rally Obedience, and the American Kennel Club.

Step

Training

There are several commands that you will need to be able to communicate to your Gaddi Kutta so that they can respond appropriately. Basic obedience commands such as sit, heel, lie down, and stay, are often expected during competitions, as are more advanced commands, such as commands change pace, pivot left or right, figure eights, and walking in a spiral.

Step

Competitions

Many handlers prefer to visit a rally obedience trial as a spectator before they participate in a competition themselves, and many of the trials will allow well-behaved dogs to attend, even when they are not competing. Visiting helps to give both participants a clearer idea of what to expect when they enter the ring, and helps to acclimate them to the sights and sounds of the trial. When first competing, teams will be placed in the Novice category progressing through to the Advanced and Excellent categories as they increase their mastery and learn new commands.

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Camping

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Any Day

Moderate

Normal

24 - 48 hrs

Items needed

Six Foot Lead

Dog Food and Bowls

Fresh Water

Canine First Aid Kit

Activity description

People typically go camping in order to get away from the hustle and bustle of our modern world and get a chance to enjoy the beauty of nature, and can provide the same experience for our canine companions. The Gaddi Kutta makes an excellent camping companion, particularly in the cooler seasons; they are a formidable guardian, but rarely aggressive without good cause, they have thick, wooly coats to keep them warm, and they are energetic enough to keep up with an active family even on long hikes. It is important to note that dogs that accompany their owners on camping adventures should remain in close proximity to their owners at all times. For their safety and the safety of the wildlife in the area, they should never be left either alone at the campsite or in the car and should be leashed at all times.

Step

Research

While numerous campgrounds welcome and encourage well-behaved pets to accompany their humans, several of them have to restrict or forbid dogs at their campgrounds. In most cases, these rules are put in place to avoid disturbing local wildlife with their presence. You should be familiar with the specific rules and regulations for each campground that you intend to stay at before you start traveling with your dog. Keeping the name, number, and address of a nearby emergency vet handy is also recommended.

Step

Get the gear

Camping typically requires a larger amount of gear than most activities, and this is even more pertinent when bringing your dog along. Additional supplies to keep your dog safe and satisfied should include supplies for basic needs such as your dog’s normal food, plenty of fresh water, and bowls to eat out of. Due to the long, thick coat of the Gaddi Kutta, a comb and brush for the dog are also recommended. Most campgrounds require that dogs are kept on a six-foot lead and a first aid kit should also be assembled for your canine. A canine first aid kit for camping should consist of a tick removal tool, an emergency blanket, a muzzle (or a bandana which can be fashioned into a makeshift muzzle), white socks for damaged paw pads, styptic powder in case the dog’s nail gets cracked or broken, and needle-nosed pliers for removing thorns or porcupine quills.

Step

Training and safety

Camping trips are much more enjoyable with a well-behaved dog than with an unruly one. Ensuring that your dog knows a few critical commands, such as a rock-solid recall and a consistent leave it, will help to make the trip a safe and enjoyable experience for both of you. The fur of the Gatti Kutta is exceptionally thick and warm, so they should be checked regularly for signs of heat exhaustion and for ticks and shouldn’t be exposed to strenuous exercise on high-temperature days.

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Herding

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Any Day

Moderate

Normal

30 - 60 min

Items needed

Leash

Livestock

Activity description

Unlike the majority of livestock guardian breeds, the Gaddi Kutta retains some herding instincts, and they are well-known for their ability to herd stray goats and sheep back to the rest of the flock. Those dogs that have strong herding instincts but no livestock to herd may turn to herding other things, including other pets and in some cases, even the people around them. Fortunately, some farmers and ranchers saw an opportunity to help these dogs find an outlet for their instincts by temporarily renting out their livestock and land for these dogs to practice their art, as well as giving lessons to both the dog and their owners in herding techniques and practices. The cost to participate in herding can vary depending on the amenities offered, and the amount of training involved.

Step

Health check

Herding often consists of a great deal of running and quick changes in direction, so it can be rather physically taxing. The Gaddi Kutta dog is considered to be a rather athletic dog, but they are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, which can be exacerbated by the twists and turns involved in herding livestock. It is crucial to have your dog’s joint health evaluated by a professional to ensure that your canine companion is physically sound enough to take part in this activity before you begin.

Step

Do your research

Renting livestock out to train dogs for herding is still somewhat difficult to find in most areas of the United States, but more facilities are springing up as the word gets out that there is a way to satisfy the energy and instincts of their herding dogs. The facilities can vary quite a bit from one another; while some of these groups provide only sheep, others will have goats, cattle, pigs, and even ducks available as well. They frequently have vastly different prices, depending on the amount of training provided and what other services are available.

Step

Evaluation

Most initial appointments at herding facilities will include an evaluation of your dog’s herding instinct. This evaluation will help to determine if this is the right activity for your particular Gaddi Kutta, and at what level. While this activity is satisfying for most herding type dogs on a more casual basis, some dogs are fulfilled by entering into herding trials where they can test their skills against other herding dogs.

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More Fun Ideas...

Treibball

While these dogs are typically considered to be livestock guardians, they do have a stronger herding instinct than many other dogs with the same classification and are also more trainable. Treibball is a sport in which dogs with herding instincts herd large, inflatable balls to a specified goal within a certain time frame.

Group Training or Pack Walks

The Gaddi Kutta tends to be more tolerant of other dogs than most canines that were developed for their guarding abilities, but they do require a great deal of socialization to maintain that status. Group training classes and pack walks both improve the ability for your dog to tolerate other canines in their environment.

Conclusion

These large, active dogs are more trainable than many other livestock guardians, particularly if training is started early in their lives, but they do tend to get bored with repetition. The Gaddi Kutta does require a great deal of activity on a daily basis and are generally agreeable with other dogs when properly socialized, which makes them suited to several canine activities.