Activities For Istrian Short-Haired Hounds

1k Views
0 Comments
0 Votes

Prepare for unexpected vet bills

Find pet insurance Find pet insurance

Introduction

If you live in the country or do a lot of hunting, the Istrian Short-Haired Hound may fit your lifestyle. This active, intelligent breed from Croatia is not meant to be a house pet. You'll find that this pooch wants to be in the field searching for animals like rabbits and fox. They have a pawtastic sense of smell and plenty of endurance to spend the day hunting with you. When one of these pups joins your pack, plan to exercise them at least 30 to 45 minutes a day. In addition to taking your furry pal for long walks, try the activities below to burn off some energy.

Hiking

Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Free
Easy
30 - 60 min
Items needed
waste bags
treats
leash
Activity description
A smart breed like the Istrian Shorthaired Hound will prefer variety on their walks. Consider mixing up your routine by planning a hike through a dog-friendly park or preserve. If the facility allows off-leash activity, all the better. Your pooch will enjoy the new sights and smells as they get some exercise. You can use the time to bond with your furbaby and brush up on obedience drills. Once you find a venue, learn about the terrain and rules of the road. That way, you'll know if you need to pack extra items like booties to protect your pal's feet from rocky surfaces.
Step
1
Prepare
There are lots of pup-friendly trails, parks, and preserves around. To find a place where you and your special friend can go exploring, do a little research. Once you select a destination, you'll want to know about any rules for dogs in the facility. Also, make sure you check out the types of habitats where you'll be hiking.
Step
2
Pack
After you complete your research, you'll be able to pack your supplies. Put together the basics like a leash, water, waste bags, and treats or snacks. If you're hiking through rocky terrain, consider including foot protection for Fido in your gear. You'll also want to get your car ready for your pup by spreading a blanket or towels over the seats.
Step
3
Hike
It's time to head to the trail. Get the leash or harness on your pup and go. If you're hiking in a remote spot, let someone know where you are, and be sure to bring a paper map instead of relying on GPS and cell phone signal. Insect repellant and a first-aid kit are always good to have on hand.
Love this activity?

Nose Work

Popular
0 Votes
Sunny Day
Moderate
Hard
30 - 40 min
Items needed
treats
toy
Activity description
This new sport can help you to harness your pooch's natural-born instincts. The training methods come from scent detection training for sniffer and search and rescue dogs. In K9 nose work, dogs need to distinguish a target odor from three other smells to locate a hidden object. You can test your pup's skills in different venues like inside, outside, in a container, and inside a vehicle. In other words, you and your pal can do this anywhere. When you participate in the event, you'll strengthen your bonds with your furry friend. Fido will also benefit from the mental and physical exercise that this activity provides.
Step
1
Build hunting drive
Before you start training your pooch to recognize a target scent, spend time teaching them to find a favorite toy or food. Provide positive reinforcement for success by letting your pooch eat the treat or play with the item. Do this for several months to build your pal's hunting drive.
Step
2
Training
When your pooch has the skill to find their toy or food in different settings, you can start teaching them about nose work. The first step involves introducing Fido to the target scent: essential oil of birch. Once your furry pal knows to search for the item with this aroma, you can add the other two scents: oil of clove and oil of anise.
Step
3
Practice nose work
When Fido has mastery of the skills, you can practice nose work any time. Start with simplistic scenarios to build your pup's interest and drive for the activity. Check with the National Association of Canine Scent Work for training events and competitive trials if you want to up the ante for your pooch.
Love this activity?

Frisbee

Popular
0 Votes
Sunny Day
Cheap
Normal
30 - 60 min
Items needed
water
frisbee
Activity description
One way to give your furry pal a workout and burn off some of their energy is by playing frisbee. Teach your pup to race down the field and leap up to snag the flying disc in the air. This activity will offer a vigorous cardiovascular workout for your pal. All you need is a field or large yard where you have room to throw the toy. Playing this game with your pooch will satisfy their physical needs, and they'll have the satisfaction of chasing and catching something. You can purchase affordable, sturdy frisbees that will stand up to your dog's jaws, and you'll be all set for this fun game!
Step
1
Introduce the game
Begin by getting Fido used to the toy. Some pups will show immediate interest while others need extra encouragement. Offer rewards for sniffing and mouthing the frisbee. You can even feed your furbaby their dinner in the disc for a few weeks or longer to help pique their interest in the disc.
Step
2
Teach the game
Once your pup wants to grab the toy, it's time to teach them to catch it and bring it back to you. Start with short throws to build your pooch's skill and confidence. Continue to toss the disc further away as your furry friend improves. Soon they'll be able to streak downfield and grab the frisbee in mid-air.
Step
3
Play the game
When your furry friend is ready, you can play this game on a sunny day. Find an open space where your pooch can run after the disc. Start your session with some shorter warm-up tosses to help prevent injuries. Enjoy spending time with Fido, and offer water breaks when your pal needs a break.
Love this activity?

More Fun Ideas...

Chase

You can exercise your pal with a rousing game of chase. Get your pup's attention with a backward hop, then take off. Let Fido run after you and offer enthusiastic praise when they "catch" you.

Over, Under, Through

When the weather prevents you from exercising Fido outside, you can create an indoor obstacle. Use household items like chairs, benches, laundry baskets, and more to make a route for your pooch. Lead them through using treats.

Conclusion

The Istrian Shorthaired Hound is an active hunting breed. This pooch is puptastic for the outdoor enthusiast. They'll thrive best if they have a spacious, fenced yard where they can romp and explore. When you offer them enough stimulating activity and exercise, they can prove to be an even-tempered and devoted companion.