Top Activities For Gordon Shelties

Introduction

A hybrid breed created by crossing the Gordon Setter and the Shetland Sheepdog, the Gordon Sheltie is one very clever and very energetic canine. As both parents were bred as working dogs, this is a breed that excels when given lots of important jobs to do and when set any task that offers a mental challenge.

With this in mind, Gordon Shelties don't do well if they're simply abandoned in a backyard for hours at a time. They need interaction, adventures and games to ensure that they stay happy and healthy, so you'll need to always be on the lookout for fun activities your pooch will enjoy.

Here are three great ideas to get you started.

Stair Sprints

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Free

Easy

20 min

Items needed

Ball or toy

Activity description

When winter arrives and the weather turns miserable, sometimes it can be hard to find the motivation to get outside and help your pooch get active. But when you've got an energetic Gordon Sheltie on your hands, lying around on the couch all day simply isn't an option.

Happily, there are plenty of simple ways to exercise your dog indoors, and this paw-some activity is one of the best. It's essentially a game of fetch, but with the added workout of climbing stairs to retrieve the ball and then descending them again to return the ball to you.

Play this for a little while and you'll end up with one very tuckered-out pooch.

Step

1

Throw

Stand at the bottom of the stairs and ask your dog to sit beside you. Then you can throw a ball or your pet's favorite toy up to the top of the stairs and encourage them to go and get it. NB: If you don't have a two-story house, you might have to wait for a sunny day and find some stairs in a local park to play this game.

Step

2

Retrieve

Watch your dog race up the stairs to retrieve the ball, and then descend safely down again to deposit it at your feet. Some might need a little encouragement to relinquish the ball, but the thrill of another chase should have them raring to go again. However, you might want to have a towel handy to wipe away some excess slobber from the ball before picking it up again.

Step

3

Repeat

Repeat steps 1 and 2 until one of two things happens: your dog gets tired or your arm gets sore. This is a grrr-eat workout for your canine pal and they should be tired but happy by the time the game is done. Even better, you'll be warm and dry in the comfort of your own home.

Go to a Festival

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Free

Easy

2 - 4 hrs

Items needed

Leash

Treats

Water

Activity description

Looking for a good excuse to get out and about with your canine pal? Find a paw-some outdoor festival and take your dog along for a full day of fun.

If you live in a city or even a major town, you'll likely be spoiled for choice when it comes to festivals and events. From small community festivals to major celebrations, there's a huge range of events all year round -- and many of them are dog-friendly.

Your furry friend will love the chance to explore new sights and sounds with you, not to mention make some new friends and enjoy some different experiences along the way.

Step

1

Choose your festival

Check out online events calendars of all the festivals and celebrations coming up in your hometown. From arts and culture festivals to music, food, and even pet festivals, there's an ever-increasing range of events to choose from. When you find one that sounds like fun, visit the event website or contact the organizers to make sure dogs are welcome.

Step

2

Find some fun

All you have to do now is immerse yourself in whatever unique and memorable experiences the festival has to offer. This could mean sampling gourmet delights, listening to some live music, cheering a parade, or maybe even watching some paw-some dog sports demonstrations. The main thing to remember is to just relax and have a grrr-eat time with your pooch, and to make sure they're having just as much fun as you are.

Tag

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Free

Normal

20 min

Items needed

Treats

Activity description

Did you spend hours playing tag as a kid? Do you want to re-create this fun childhood game for your Gordon Sheltie to enjoy?

Tag is a fun game you can play with your furry friend to give them a little bit of exercise, plenty of mental stimulation, and the chance to spend lots of quality time with you.

While it might take a little while for your dog to get the hang of this game, the effort is well worth it. After all, a tired dog is a good dog, and anything that puts a wag in your Gordon Sheltie's tail and a smile on their face can only be a good thing.

Step

1

Get started

This game takes at least two people, so grab a friend or get the whole family together and head outside with your dog. Make sure everyone involved has a handful of treats and then spread out around the yard, trying to leave a distance of at least 15 to 20 feet between each person.

Step

2

Tag

Ask your dog to sit at your feet and reward them with a treat for doing so. Then tell them to go "tag" another person -- that family member might need to call your pooch to entice them over. When your dog goes to the other person, they should be rewarded with a treat and a whole lot of praise.

Step

3

Repeat

Now all of your family members can take it turn to call the dog to them, then offer a tasty reward and effusive praise once they've been "tagged". This is a paw-some way to make your dog work to earn their dinner, and it's something fun and easy the whole family can do together.

More Fun Ideas...

Puppy Party

Spoil your furry friend by throwing them a birthday party and inviting all their best doggy friends. All the four-legged guests can play some canine games, eat dog-friendly birthday cake and generally have a ball.

Clean up Toys

If you want to give your pet a mental challenge, teach them to clean up their toys and put them away at the end of each play session. It's fun for your dog and less work for you.

Conclusion

However you decide to entertain and exercise your Gordon Sheltie, the main thing you need to remember is that these dogs love human companionship. Exercise and mental stimulation are crucial without doubt, but spending time with you is what will really put a wag in your dog's tail. So make every effort to include your dog in all family activities and outings -- the love and affection you get in return will make this well worth it.