Activities For Italian Hounds
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Introduction
When you hear Italian Hound, you may automatically think of a Greyhound but these two dogs are not one in the same. The Italian Hound is actually a very rare breed of dog who is loyal, affectionate and quite smart. If you are lucky enough to have one of these hard to find pups, you want to make sure to shower them with attention and these activities will help you do just that! Read on to find some great games suited for Italian Hounds.
Watchdog
Popular
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Any Day
Cheap
Normal
30 min
Items needed
Treats
Activity description
Italian Hounds are very loyal dogs and they truly believe that they are a member of the family. Due to this bond, they are quite ready to act as a watchdog and protect the family that they love. The Italian Hound's natural desire to guard you paired with their high intelligence makes them the ideal candidate for watchdog training. Teaching your Italian Hound to be a guard dog is fun to do and results in a beneficial skill for your dog. You can train your pup to be a watchdog any time of year and all you need to invest is a little time.
Step
1
Bark on cue
In order to alert you of danger, your Italian Hound needs to learn to bark on cue. When your dog barks in day to day life, immediately say "bark" and toss them a treat. Eventually, your dog will learn what the word bark means. Now you can train your dog to bark at specific noises or 'dangers'. For example, if you want your dog to alert you when someone knocks on your door, make a knocking sound and say "bark". Now your pup will pair the action of barking to the knocking. You can easily train your Italian Hound to bark at anything that you'd like in order to be a great watchdog!
Step
2
Pick the triggers
Decide when you would like your dog to bark and 'guard' you. Maybe you'd like your pup to bark if a stranger walks by your house or if a person begins talking loudly toward you. Perhaps you only want your Italian Hound to bark if someone is in your home. Make these decisions and then train your dog to bark in these scenarios.
Step
3
Practice
Invite a few friends that your dog may not know well to help you with your training. Set up the scenarios in which you would like your pup to guard you. Have your human friend pretend to be the "stranger" or the person who is making the sounds that will trigger your dog to bark. Praise your Italian Hound and reward them with love and treats when they do a great job. Practice guard dog training with your pup frequently to keep them aware that their job is ongoing.
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Treadmill Run
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Any Day
Moderate
Normal
30 min
Items needed
Leash
Collar
Treats
Treadmill
Activity description
Italian Hounds are born and bred hunting dogs. They love to chase small animals through the brush and will trail an animal for hours until they catch their prize. Due to this long history of hunting, Italian Hounds are intense running dogs, able to run for many miles quite quickly without tiring. While you may love taking your Italian Hound out on runs, you may also not always have the time or energy. Teaching your dog to run on a treadmill will help them fulfill their desire and need to run and also allow you to rest! Your dog can run on the treadmill anytime but they can be a little pricey to purchase (the investment will be worth it!).
Step
1
Get familiar
Before putting your dog on a treadmill, let them get comfortable with the machine on their own. Let your dog freely sniff the treadmill, jump up on it or even use it as a bed! Mainly, let your Italian Hound explore the new machine on their own terms so that they are completely comfortable with it and have no fears or hesitations. You should even turn the treadmill on just so your pup grows used to the noise and the movement of the machine.
Step
2
Walking
Put your dog's collar and leash on as if you were taking them for a walk. Lead them to the treadmill using treats and, once they are on the machine, turn it on very low speed so it is just moving beneath your pup's paws. Hold a treat in front of your dog so that they continue to try to walk forward. Give your dog the treat after a few minutes and then grab another to continue to 'lead' them on the treadmill.
Step
3
Go faster
Once your pup is use to walking on the treadmill, increase the speed slowly but surely. As you make the treadmill go faster, make sure your dog is comfortable and happily running along. Soon your Italian Hound will be racing forward at full speed as if they were chasing an animal! Once your dog is happy to use the treadmill, let them do so at least once a day to really get in some good exercise.
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Toy Hunt
Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Moderate
Easy
20 min
Items needed
Remote controlled Toy
Extra Batteries
Treats
Activity description
As you well know, Italian Hounds are hunting dogs and there is nothing they love more than chasing small moving objects. While you may frown upon your Italian Hound chasing your cat, you still want to give your pup the chance to satisfy their natural need to hunt. Investing in a remote controlled dog toy is one of the best ways you can do this. This activity is incredibly easy (you don't even need to leave the couch!) and it will provide your pup with hours of entertainment no matter what the weather is outside. Get ready to watch your Italian Hound have some real fun.
Step
1
Toy search
Find a quality remote controlled toy that your Italian Hound will enjoy. There are lots of toys specifically for dogs but you can also look into remote controlled kid toys that may go even faster. A small toy car isn't just for little kids, Italian Hounds will love them too! It is worth spending a little more on a toy that will last longer as this will likely be one of your dog's favorite toys.
Step
2
Hunt time
Bring your dog somewhere that they will be able to run and you will be able to make the new remote controlled toy go really fast. Put the toy on the ground and push go! Watch as your Italian Hound leaps into action and chases the toy! Make the toy zig zag, go backward or hide under bushes - it will all be entertaining to your pup.
Step
3
Switch it up
Play with your dog's remote controlled toy inside on rainy days and make it go under furniture, in closets or just up and down the hall. Try tying a treat to the toy to make it extra alluring for your Italian Hound. You can even bring the toy to the dog park to make all your pup's friends go crazy with excitement as well!
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More Fun Ideas...
Hunting Club
Find a hunting club near your where your Italian Hound can go and really get to use their inherent hunting skills. Some clubs will hunt live game while others will simulate the small animals with robotics - pick whichever one will suit you and your Italian Hound!
Dog Park
Italian Hounds are very social pups and will love going to dog parks. Here they will be able to run and play with their friends which will make them happy in the moment and nice and tired, ready for a long nap, when they get home!
Conclusion
Italian Hounds are a fantastic breed of dog to be your home companion and despite their long hunting background, they fit in quite well in the home. Keep your Italian Hound active by teaching them how to run on a treadmill, chasing a remote controlled toy or joining a real hunting club. Exercise their intelligence as well with guard dog training and give them an emotional work out by heading to the dog park. When you do all of these things with your Italian Hound, you will have one happy pup!