Activities For German Shepradors
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Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
German Shepradors are mixed breed dogs that result from breeding a German Shepherd with a Labrador Retriever. These dogs tend to have varied physical traits from one German Sheprador to the next, as is common with all hybrid dogs, but they generally are all of medium size and have thick coats of fur. German Shepherds and Labrador Retrievers are some of the most versatile breeds around, so German Shepradors tend to also retain a lot of their parents' adaptability, energy, and willingness to try new things. Below are a few activities that we feel will help your German Sheprador develop some of their best talents.
Backwards Walking
Popular
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Any Day
Free
Easy
15 - 30 min
Items needed
Doggie Waste Bags
Leash
Water
Activity description
The first activity on our list may not be the most difficult, but it's certainly the most unconventional. The next time you plan on taking your dog out for a walk, or along with you for a jog, consider doing the whole thing backwards. We know it sounds out there, but there are actually a number of health benefits afforded to backwards walkers and joggers that can't be gained from walking or jogging normally. We usually like to promote a "safety first" mentality in all of the activities we recommend, but we feel that we can't stress it enough for this particular exercise.
Step
1
Complete your warm ups
In line with keeping safety first for this activity, we suggest that you and your dog do a few warm ups and stretch to get the blood flowing and your hearts pumping. Helping your dog stretch their legs isn't very difficult at all - simply hold your dog's front legs and gently pull them towards you while sitting face to face with your pet.
Step
2
Start small
We feel that one of the best ways to get used to walking backwards is to try doing this activity over short distances and in controllable environments; if you've got a backyard, we suggest clearing out a section of it that's a few feet long and trying to walk backwards while holding your dog's leash in your hands.
Step
3
Go big
When you're feeling confident enough, we advise that you next attempt this activity with your dog in a wide open area like a park or a beach. At those sorts of locales, you and your German Sheprador can walk or jog backward over much greater distances if the two of you are so inclined. And if you're worried about attracting any unwanted attention, you shouldn't have any problems if you try it out earlier in the day. Trust us - we know from personal experience.
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Boating
Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Moderate
Normal
1 to 2 hrs
Items needed
Leash
Life Jackets
Activity description
This next activity is perfect for those dog owners who are looking for a fun and relaxing way to beat the heat with their four-legged friends. If you haven't heard of the term "boating" before and are trying to figure out what it could entail, we'd like to be the first to tell you that it's a fairly nuanced activity. From a literal standpoint, boating consists of commandeering a seaworthy vessel and sailing out with your friends, family and your dog. But on a deeper level, this activity is all about bonding with your boat mates and letting the ebb and flow of the ocean move and soothe you.
Step
1
Knock out the busy work
Have you checked your First Aid kits recently to make sure that they're filled to the brim? Do your life jackets still fit everyone just fine? Do you have a vest for your German Sheprador? If you can confidently answer all of the preceding questions with a confident "yes" then we feel you're good and ready to set sail. If you can't, don't fret; that just means you've got some more work to do before you and your dog go boating.
Step
2
Drink in the sea
We don't mean that literally by the way; once you've finished the step before this one, you and your dog will be all clear to set sail and enjoy the sights and sounds of the sea. German Shepradors tend to be very obedient breeds who try to do everything they can to stay on their masters' good sides, so you won't have to worry about them jumping overboard or anything of the sort - they'll be far too busy enjoying the trip as well.
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Hardcore Hiking
Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Moderate
Hard
1 - 3 hrs
Items needed
Weather appropriate clothing
Food and Water
Backpack
Doggie Waste Bags
Leash
Activity description
This final activity will provide quite the challenge for you and your German Sheprador, should you choose to try it out. We've actually co-opted the term "Hardcore Hiking" for this guide and we're re-configuring the expression to refer to an activity that's really just a form of hiking that involves going further than you normally would with your dog accompanying you along the way. You don't have to try hiking up any trails that are notoriously dangerous or difficult for this activity, but we do advise that you do a bit of research beforehand, plan out your trip to the letter, and pack accordingly to ensure a successful hike.
Step
1
Pack accordingly
In line with our previous recommendation to scout ahead and research the areas you're interested in hiking in, you'll want to pack accordingly for the environment you and your dog are going to be roughing it out in. If you're planning on hiking in snowy terrain, bring warm clothes for yourself and your dog. Do the opposite for warm, temperate environments. No matter where you hike, try to pack as lightly as you can and leave behind any extra equipment.
Step
2
Early to rise
One thing we can definitely advocate in favor of is planning to attempt this activity as early in the day as you can - particularly if you're going to go hiking in a cold area or in any environments that have very low temperatures. The idea here is to hike while the sun is on your side and to be off the trail and safely back at base camp long before sundown.
Step
3
Stick together
German Shepradors are generally great at following orders and staying by their masters' sides at all times, which helps out immensely with this activity. Never let your dog go too far beyond or fall too far behind your reach. Stick together and avoid making any risky decisions along the trip.
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More Fun Ideas...
Dog Puzzles
German Shepradors are very intelligent dogs with quizzical minds and a natural inclination to try and solve puzzles once they're presented to them. From our experience, we feel that German Shepradors will react just as positively to a puzzle as either of their German Shepherd or Labrador Retriever parents would. Dog puzzles come in many shapes and sizes, and many of them are very affordable as well.
Dock Diving
Labrador Retrievers are among some of the best swimmers in the entire canine kingdom. German Shepradors have inherited their parents' grace and expertise in the water which will help them greatly with this activity. Dock Diving consists of taking your dog to a safe and clean body of water, tossing a ball in the water, and then prompting your German Sheprador to hop in after the ball so that they can fetch it and bring it back to you.
Conclusion
German Shepradors make great pets for all kinds of dog owners; if you live an active lifestyle that incorporates a lot of physical activity, German Shepradors will easily be able to keep up and will enjoy getting their paws dirty with activities like hiking. If you prefer to take things easy and are just looking for a dog that'll be a great companion and that has a lot of nurturing attributes, then the German Sheprador may also be right up your alley. These dogs are just as adaptable, if not more so, as either of their parents which is one of the reasons why these athletic canines are continuing to grow in popularity.