Activities For German Hounds

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Introduction

German Hounds are adorable doggos that originate from Westphalia in Germany. These lovely puppers are categorized as scent hounds, which means that they rely on their sense of smell to hunt large and small game, which is what they were originally bred for. Most of the time they are referred to as Deutsche Bracke but are also known as Olper Bracke, and Westphalian Bracke. Since they are hunting dogs, they do need quite a bit of exercise daily, and they also love being around their humans, showered with love and care. 

Scent Trail Game

Popular
0 Votes
Sunny Day
Cheap
Normal
1 hr
Items needed
Essential oil
treats
Activity description

Your German Hound is a scent hound type, which means that they are really good at scent trail games and generally use their sense of smell to hunt and track animals. You can utilize this talent of theirs and play various games that use their sensitive nose to their advantage. One of them is a classic scent trail game, super easy to play, and loads of fun for you and your dog. Start by playing indoors and when you see that your pup is getting better and figuring out what they are supposed to do, get out into a bigger field for additional challenges.

Step
1
Start indoors
Grab your pup’s favorite toy, put a drop of lavender oil on it and play a game of fetch. Every time they bring the toy back give them the treat to reward good behavior. Then, hide the toy somewhere and let them retrieve it.
Step
2
Outside
Once your pup has mastered the indoor scent trailing, up the challenge! Go outside and hide the toy. Drip a trail of essential oil drops that lead to the toy and have your dog track and find it. Once they do, praise them, give them a treat, and the biggest hug ever!
Step
3
More challenge
Finally, once your dog becomes an oil scent master, increase the challenge once again and change the scent! Test your pup's nose work skills on a different level. You can use lard, cream cheese, peanut butter, or even chicken fat, whatever your dog likes. Hide the toy in a more remote location and see how they do!
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Dinner Hunt

Popular
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Any Day
Cheap
Easy
20 min
Items needed
Food
bowl
Activity description

Your lovely scent hound just loves to hunt, so why not make their dinner time more interesting than usual? Normally, when you call your dog for dinner they know exactly where their bowl will be, and most of the time what they will get for their meal. However, that can get a bit boring; even you sometimes like to go out for a meal or eat in the living room instead of the dining table. So, mix it up and spice up the dinner time! Instead of their usual dining spot, try to move their bowl to another room!

Step
1
Get the food
First off, make sure to choose a familiar food item that your dog will expect at dinner time. If you choose something new as well, your doggo may get a bit too confused, so try this game with the familiar item with the smell they like.
Step
2
Move the bowl
Next, move the bowl to the next room. Call your doggo for dinner standing at their usual spot, and when they come, tell them to find the bowl. Your pup will search for the bowl, find it, at which point you should praise them and try again tomorrow.
Step
3
Challenge
When your pup figures out that their food is moving around the house, up the game. Take it outside, if you have a fenced backyard, hide it in an unexpected place, but make sure to always provide a lot of love and support during the game. Don't let them get frustrated or upset, give them a hint if they need it!
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Bike Ride

Popular
0 Votes
Sunny Day
Cheap
Hard
2 hrs
Items needed
Bicycle
leash
harness
bike lead
Activity description

As a German Hound owner, you already know that this dog does require a lot of physical exercise and mental stimulation to stay healthy and sane and to prevent them from ransacking your house because they are bored. If you are not a huge runner and not a fan of jogging, whether because you just find it horrible or are unable due to health reasons, but you still want to give your dog the exercise they need, you can try with the good old bicycle! Get on a bike, strap a bike lead on it, and go for an energetic ride and run session with your doggo!

Step
1
Get equipped
Apart from a bicycle, you will need a helmet for you, a leash for your dog, and a bike lead, which is an apparatus that you attach to the bike to ensure that your dog can run safely away from the wheels of the bike. You will also need a harness for your pupper; you may want to have them wear the harness around the house a few times so that they get used to the feel.
Step
2
Quick Ride
Before you go on a long, energetic ride, test the waters first and teach your German Hound how to behave around a bicycle. Allow them to walk beside it with you on several occasions so that they become comfortable with it. Once you have tried hooking the bike lead up to your pup, go for a short ride several times before you venture out into the neighborhood.
Step
3
Ride and enjoy
Once you are comfortable with your doggo’s behavior, you are ready for a long and energetic ride. Go into nature, try to avoid traffic as much as you can, and try to get some much-needed exercise for both of you! Be aware of your pup's energy level and make sure that you both stay well hydrated!
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More Fun Ideas...

Work Out

Since your pup needs at least 80 minutes of exercise per day, incorporate a workout session in your days. Take them on a power hike or a jog at least three times a week!

Go swimming

One more activity that will satisfy your pup’s need for exercise is swimming! It is easy on the joints, super fun, and exercises the muscles perfectly!

Conclusion

German Hounds or Deutsche Bracke are energetic and smart scent hounds that deserve all the love in the world. With all these activities, make sure to include a lot of praise to reward good behavior, include your doggo in your daily exercise sessions, and just let them be a happy and joyful doggo that they are! You will see that they are a perfect companion for an active person, and a friend you will have for a lifetime!