Activities For Imo-Inus

1k Views
0 Comments
0 Votes

Prepare for unexpected vet bills

Find pet insurance Find pet insurance

Introduction

You'll be hard-pressed to find a dog out there who is fluffier, cuter, or more loving towards their family than the Imo-Inu. Part American Eskimo Dog, part Shiba-Inu, this pooch blends two continents to make one excellent pupper. 

Though not recognized as an official breed, this hybrid is becoming more popular due to the effects of the calm nature of the American Eskimo on the bolder, sometimes stubborn nature of the Japanese Shiba. The result is a pooch with many of the Shiba's desired traits, which have been bred for centuries, with a touch of gentleness that makes the canine easier to train.

To make your time with your Imo-Inu even better, we've rounded up some of the very best activities that you can enjoy with this mixed breed!

Hose Water Fun

Popular
0 Votes
Sunny Day
Free
Easy
30 min
Items needed
Hose
Activity description
If your doggo has any Inu in them at all, they will go absolutely bonkers for chasing things. This stems back to their roots as hunters working alongside their masters in ancient Japan. 

To tap into this hunting desire, you don't need to track down a rabbit with your four-legged pal. In fact, it doesn't even really matter what the prey is, because it's actually the chase that the Shiba seeks. 

Test your Imo-Inu's prey drive out in your backyard using nothing but a regular old garden hose. You'll likely find this game results in hours of fun, though watering your plants may never be quite the same again!

Step
1
Introduce the hose
The last thing you want to do when starting hose play is scare your pooch off. Let them get up close and personal with the watering apparatus, and gently let water leak out, if you can. If your doggo seems engaged, try a test spray in the opposite direction of them and note their response. Avoid spraying at them at first, and definitely don't chase them with the water!
Step
2
Take things up a notch
Once your Imo-Inu is showing signs of interest, it's time to step up your game! Begin spraying the water higher in the air and for longer periods of time. If your woofer is up for it, lead them up into a jump as they attempt to catch the droplets as they fly past. Your fur-buddy may begin to get mouthy at this stage in the game, letting you know that they are ready to play!
Step
3
Know when to stop
While letting your Imo-Inu let loose with some hose water can be a great way to help them burn their energy, knowing when to call it quits is important. If you notice your barky pal beginning to show aggression towards the hose, you need to stop immediately. The goal is to have fun and challenge your pupper's prey drive, not teach them to hate hoses. Make sure sessions never go for too long and be the one to end the game.
Love this activity?

Agility Courses

Popular
0 Votes
Sunny Day
Moderate
Normal
1 hr
Items needed
Ramps
Tubes
Poles
Activity description

While both parent breeds love a good challenge, it is the American Eskimo Dog that is especially fond of agility courses. Your Imo-Inu will likely jump (literally) at the opportunity to run through a course of varying obstacles.

And the fun isn't just for your pooch, either! Owners can have a great time leading their puppers through different courses. 

Another great thing about agility courses is that you have the option of joining an agility group, where the course is set up for you, or you can build one yourself in the comforts of your own backyard. Some dog parks also feature small courses -- which are perfect for beginning your agility journey!

Step
1
Pick a course
Depending on what your goal is for your agility training experience, you'll want to pick a course that fits your needs. Many dog trainers offer classes that can give you the basics you need to help guide your doggo through the obstacles. Some even compete regionally or nationally against dogs from all over the country! If you'd like to start small, you can try a small obstacle course at home using basic materials you probably have lying around in your shed.
Step
2
Make it positive
To ease your woofer into the course, you are going to want to lay on the praise. A small treat can help guide your fur-baby through some of the trickier obstacles as well. When starting, keep training sessions short and fun, and if your pooch is having a particularly difficult time on one of the course features, save it for another time when you can focus on just one task.
Step
3
Build slowly
As your Imo-Inu begins to master agility training, you can lengthen courses and increase difficulty. There are many excellent agility groups and forums where you can find all sorts of suggestions on fresh ways to make agility fun for your four-legged pal. By making an effort to keep things new for your pupper, agility courses can become a lifelong passion for the both of you.
Love this activity?

Flyball

Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Moderate
Hard
1 - 2 hrs
Items needed
Tennis Ball
Flyball Course
Activity description

The ultimate sport for clever dogs with tons of energy, flyball combines fetch, jumping, and problem-solving. This makes it the perfect fit for super smart Imo-Inus, who will always be looking for tasks to take on.

Flyball requires all sorts of props and is generally played with teams. This means that if you and your pooch want to join in on the fun, you'll have to locate a local flyball group that has room for new members. 

Because the sport needs space to be played, groups often rent indoor facilities for games when the weather doesn't cooperate. Expect to dish out some cash to become a regular member -- and be ready for flyball to become your new favorite sport! 

Step
1
Master fetch
The most basic aspect of flyball is fetch. You need your dog to have a desire to chase tennis balls for this game to work. If your pupper is not a natural at fetch -- don't worry! Head out into the backyard with treats and a ball. By rewarding your woofer every time they show interest, pick up and bring back the tennis ball, you'll have a fetch pro in no time!
Step
2
Join a club
To get anywhere in flyball, you have to be part of a flyball organization. This is because the sport is played with lots of dogs out on the course at a time. Once you've sourced out a flyball group in your area, enroll the two of you and get ready to learn! Beginners are given lots of time to brush up their skills and learn the rules of play.
Step
3
Start competing
After your Imo-Inu and you have been practicing with a flyball organization for some time, you'll be ready for your first real game! It will be exciting and very fast-paced, but we have a feeling that both of you will get addicted to the hectic rush. Your team will begin to master working together, and things can get pretty competitive. Just remember why you're really there -- to bond with your amazing canine!
Love this activity?

More Fun Ideas...

Interesting Walks

The intelligent Imo-Inu will totally be down for walks in new places. While your neighborhood is a fine go-to spot, experiencing a variety of new scenarios, sights, and smells will help to stimulate your pupper's mind. Plus, they'll be burning energy in the process. That's a win-win for both of you!

Hide and Seek

Tune into your Imo-Ino's natural desire to find prey by engaging in a game of hide and seek. This can be done by actually hiding yourself and allowing your pooch to sniff you out, or by using their favorite toy (scented with treats). Whatever you use, be sure to praise your doggo like crazy when they make a find!

Conclusion

As we've now seen, Imo-Inus come from highly intelligent breeds that require lots of mental stimulation. To keep these fluffy canines from becoming bored or depressed, participate in activities like the ones we've hand-selected above. You'll be amazed at how your pooch responds to the tasks at hand -- plus, you'll find you come to understand your barky buddy better after time spent working together.

There are no bones about it, engaging in exciting activities with your Imo-Inu is just about the best way to spend time with these bouncy buddies.