Prepare for unexpected vet bills
The Huntaway is a beautiful herding expert from New Zealand. Many professional breeders and dog enthusiasts feel that Huntaways should only be sold to owners who will work them. These same people feel that the Huntaway breed should not be raised solely as a family pet. However, there are many who disagree, and those who do indeed have Huntaways as their family pet provide different activities for them to stay active and content. Yes, Huntaways are bred to herd animals on farms. Their talent is impeccable. It is in their instinct and drive, but owners can still provide happiness in the home as long as the dog is challenged. There are many activities that mimic the skills used in herding, such as agility training, complex retrieving games, and more. It is very important to understand that herding dogs do need not only physical activity but mental stimulation as well.
A popular sport in the canine world, dog agility is performed with the direction of the owner, or handler, as the dog is guided through various obstacles. An agility course is a great way to stimulate your dog's mind and body. Once a dog is trained, they can work the course daily and be challenged if you change the course for a more challenging experience. You can make anywhere from a basic to difficult agility course for your Huntaway. You may also choose to take your dog to an agility trainer who can help them get started, and many places have an agility course for your dog to use as well. If you do choose to make your own course, you can purchase many items from your local home improvement store. You can make hurdles from PVC piping, purchase long and short tunnels that pop-up and collapse for storage, purchase a teeter or make your own out of wood, and also buy bright cones for weaving in and out of. In order to learn how to create your own agility course, you can research online (especially in making the hurdles and teeter), or get a friend or two to help.
There are many tug of war toys available on the market. The thing about tug of war is that you need to have the dog tug more gently than super rough. The game is designed to have a moderate pulling against you rather than knock his teeth out! Tug of war is a timeless classic game that many dogs, including Huntaways, love!
A Kong filled with items is a wonderful activity, especially on rainy days. The Kong is a large, rubberized ball that has a hollow inside. It allows for you to add things to it, such as peanut butter (dog-friendly peanut butter only!), and other treats. Freeze the Kong for even more fun. It makes the dog work for the inside contents and keeps them occupied and content.