Activities For Ibizan Hounds
1k Views
0 Comments
0 Votes
Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
Ibizan Hounds are a special kind of hound. This is because they are very unique and quite stunning in appearance. The breed has been around since the beginning of civilization, and ancient Egyptian artwork has shown the sheer elegance of the breed. The elongated face, standing ears, and the elegant body style are familiar with Egyptian art. The Ibizan Hound stands tall and runs like a deer. This graceful hound is quite the hunter, as well. This breed of dog was bred to hunt small game and rabbits on the island of Ibiza. This canine makes a wonderful family companion, as well as a true sporting dog in the areas of agility, lure coursing, obedience, and tracking.
Lure Coursing
Popular
0 Votes
Sunny Day
Moderate
Normal
1 hr
Items needed
Harness
Leash
Activity description
Ibizan Hounds love to chase. They have a great instinct to run after something freely and swiftly. Since it is very difficult to leash your hound and run alongside your pup, many people opt for the freedom of the chase through lure coursing. In lure coursing, the hound can chase a decoy animal (such as an imitation rabbit) on a mechanized lure in which it is connected. It looks as if the "animal" is running at top speed, changing directions, and swiftly outrunning the hound. This allows your hound's chasing instinct to kick in and to run after it. Lure coursing is generally done in a large field or course. Moderately expensive and best done on a sunny day, the activity gives dogs plenty of healthy exercise and mental stimulation!
Step
1
Visit your veterinarian
Before you introduce your "Beezer" to lure coursing, make an appointment with your veterinarian. This is important because you want to be sure your hound does not have any underlying health issues that could affect the ability of the stamina required for chasing.
Step
2
Check out a lure course
Go online, ask your veterinarian, your local hound group, or even a friend about lure courses that are in your area. You may not find one in your town or city, but there may be one within a reasonable drive. Once you find a lure course, give them a call, ask them any questions you may have, and make an appointment to go visit!
Step
3
Visit and run
When you go visit a lure course, take time to watch the other dogs and see how it's done. See how your pup reacts to the noise and atmosphere. Talk to the instructor and see if your dog can be trained or have a trial run (whatever the policy states). Once your dog takes a shot at lure coursing, you may find that you want to continue this fun and exhilarating sport - cheering for your hound all the way to the finish!
Love this activity?
Socialization
Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Free
Normal
1 hr
Items needed
Leash
Harness
Treats
Fun Toys
Activity description
Ibizan Hounds love to chase small animals, and this can include dogs and cats! Therefore, they need good, healthy socialization at an early age. This can be done by taking the time to play with your hound and your other pets, setting a play date with friends that have animals of their own, or taking your hound to an obedience class. Socialization can also help your hound develop the outgoing, confident, and enjoyable personality that will enable them to be loved by many. Having good social skills instilled in your Ibizan Hound will also give you more relaxing walks, fun in the park, and more enjoyable public outings with your pup! While obedience classes will have a moderate cost, playdates and park excursions are free and can be enjoyed often!
Step
1
Set a goal
Think about your dog and what they need in terms of socializing with other animals and people. If your hound is just a puppy, socializing on a daily basis will be very beneficial. Take your dog for walks, allow the presence of others (including other animals), and play with your "Beezer" often. If you have adopted a teen or older Ibizan Hound, make play dates with friends and have them bring their pets.
Step
2
Play dates
Play dates offer many opportunities for socialization. You can invite a few friends and their pets to your home, go on walks together, or romp in the backyard. Be sure to keep your hound on a leash if the other animals are unfamiliar, and keep a close eye on your companion. If you have other pets, such as smaller dogs and cats, gently expose them to one another on a daily basis.
Step
3
Try obedience class
Taking your Beezer to obedience will need you to invest in dollars and time. An obedience course will not only expose them to other dogs in a controlled environment but will also give you behavior techniques useful for your furry friend's training and upbringing. Learning the basics of how to listen to commands, such as "sit," "stay," "down," "come," and "heal" will give your dog some self-discipline when you are at home or on an outing.
Love this activity?
Agility Course
Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Moderate
Hard
1 hr
Items needed
Leash
Harness
Activity description
Canine agility is quite a noteworthy sport in the dog world. Since your Ibizan hound is very swift and intelligent, you may enjoy working alongside your runner as the obstacles are conquered - one by one! Training your dog for agility work can be accomplished by a trained professional. You will also learn the ins-and-outs of agility training as well, especially if you want to be your dog's handler. There is nothing more exciting than cheering on your best friend as the agility course is tackled! There are several different obstacles on the course, which may be set up in an indoor arena or outside. Obstacles may include a teeter-totter, tunnels, cones, ramps, hurdles, and a pause table. While a DIY course is not expensive if you can creatively build a course out of items you have around the house, taking lessons will be of a moderate expense.
Step
1
Check-up
Be sure your Ibizan Hound is in tip-top shape for agility coursework, as it requires attention to detail, a lot of stamina, and speed. Your veterinarian can give your pup a check-up to see if any health conditions are present. It is better to be safe than sorry when starting a new form of strenuous exercise with your pet!
Step
2
Find a course
You may choose to ask your veterinarian about agility courses in your vicinity. You can also question your friends, a local hound group or rescue organization, or look online. Since agility course training is gaining popularity, you should be able to find the perfect arena and trainer for you and your athletic partner! Call the agility course of your choice and make an appointment. While on the phone, you may choose to ask specific questions about fees, training times, and if you can allow your dog to have a free trial run. Once you speak to them, you can look forward to your first visit!
Step
3
Watch and learn
At the first class, you and your pup are best to watch the experienced dogs run the course. Your Ibizan Hound is likely to get pretty enthusiastic watching the other dogs scale the obstacles. After the class, the instructor may allow you to familiarize your hound with the course. Together, you and the instructor will decide the best approach to get your speedy dog started in agility!
Love this activity?
More Fun Ideas...
Daily Walks
On days that you do not have a special activity planned, daily walks are very important. This is because it gives your Ibizan Hound the exercise needed for the day, some fresh air, and possible socialization (if you are walking in a town or city). Walks are good for you, as well!
Rainy Day Activities
Even though dogs do get more physical exercise outside, sometimes indoor activities need to be done (especially if they don't want to go out in the rain)! Activities such as tug-of-war with a dog-safe rope toy, teaching your dog a new trick, hallway ball fetch, or even brushing up on obedience lessons can mentally stimulate your dog and leave your hound satisfied.
Conclusion
Although Ibizan Hounds were bred to hunt, they do make great family dogs. In order to keep them mentally and physically stimulated and content, the above activities will give your dog a sense of daily satisfaction. Without activities that keep this dog busy, your dog may become bored which can lead to behavior issues. Rather than coming home to a chewed up piece of furniture or shoes, make time for daily walking and other activities. Not only will this keep your dog happy, it will also enhance the bonding experience between the both of you.