Top Activities For Kromfohrlanders

Introduction

The Kromfohrlander is a recently developed breed of dog, all descendants of a military mascot known as Original Peter that had been adopted by U.S. troops in France. The scruffy dog was later acquired by a woman named Ilse Schleifenbaum in Germany and mated with a fox terrier. The pups were uniform in appearance, leading Ilse to create a new companion breed, which was accepted by the FCI as the Kromfohrlander breed in August of 1955. While they are intelligent dogs, their most predominant trait is their whole-hearted devotion to those that they bond with.

Therapy Dog

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Moderate

Normal

15 - 45 min

Items needed

Leash

Certification

Activity description

Therapy dogs are canines that visit places such as schools, hospitals, and nursing homes to spread unconditional love and comfort to the people in need of it. While Kromfohrlander dogs can be somewhat reserved with strangers, they can easily overcome this tendency with basic socialization techniques and they are known for their loving and sensitive nature and easy trainability. The training to become a therapy dog is much less intense than the training to become a service or search and rescue dog, and dogs that are well-suited to this activity are frequently able to acquire certification and start making visits after just a few months of training. One will have to pay for the course enrollment, but the reward of being involved in this type of volunteer work is worth the expense tenfold!

Step

1

Socialize

Socialization is particularly important for a dog who is intending to work as a therapy dog as they are often called upon to make visits to places and situations that are unfamiliar to them. Proper socialization for a therapy dog should start as soon as possible and should introduce them not only to new and diverse people and surroundings, but also to new sounds, smells, textures, and surfaces so that they can remain confident and upbeat in a variety of new situations.

Step

2

Training

Although the training to become a therapy dog is less intensive than that of a service dog, it is no less important. It is critical that therapy dogs are able to dependably exhibit good manners when dealing with people and will need to earn an AKC Good Citizen Award to prove it or go through an observed handling test before they can begin making visits. Once they have been approved they can either begin the process of making visits or they can attend therapy dog classes that will help to ensure their success as a therapy dog.

Step

3

Register and visit

Once your canine companion has completed their preparations they are ready to be registered with one of several National Therapy Dog organization across the United States. These organizations will help you with the process of getting information, insurance, and additional support, including locations where you and your pooch are needed. The AKC offers Therapy Dog titles for both purebred and mixed breed dogs, with five levels possible depending on the number of visits you and your dog have made, starting with AKC Therapy Dog Novice at just ten visits, all the way to AKC Therapy Dog Distinguished at four hundred visits or more.

Toy Time

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Any Day

Moderate

Easy

5 - 20 min

Items needed

Toys

Activity description

Kromfohrlander breed dogs were developed as companion dogs and they have a strong desire to spend time with their human companions, but there are times when pet parents have to attend to obligations that do not involve our dogs. These dogs are bright and are known for keeping themselves busy when their owners are nearby, but unavailable. Toys can help your dog to entertain themselves without disorganizing or destroying your belongings in their exuberance. There are many types of toys available for your dog, either homemade or store-bought. Store-bought toys can range in price from very moderate prices to exorbitant.

Step

1

Chew toys

All dogs, even small dogs developed to serve as companion animals, have an instinctual need to chew. Chewing helps to keep teeth clean and healthy, provides exercise by working the muscles in your dog’s jaw, neck, and forearms, and relieves both stress and boredom. Cooked bones and rawhide treats are known to cause choking and intestinal blockages for many dogs, making them a risky choice. Better options include toys made for chewing like Kong and Nylabone toys, as well as frozen marrow bones that have never been cooked and tendon chews which also serve as flossers to keep your dog’s teeth cleaner than chewing alone will.

Step

2

Food toys

Most dogs have a natural desire to forage for their food making toys that involve food and treats very appealing to them. Puzzle toys that require manipulation of some sort in order to release kibble or treats provide these clever dogs with an outlet for their curious natures. While store-bought puzzle toys can range in price from just a dollar or two to a hundred dollars or more, depending on the toy, food puzzles can be made utilizing household items as well, such as putting treats or kibble in a muffin tin and covering each compartment with a tennis ball.

Step

3

Stuffies and rope toys

Many Kromfohrlanders enjoy playing with stuffed toys and ropes by hiding them under rugs and blankets, while others carry them around with them or toss them into the air, however, stuffed animals designed for humans can include choking hazards, such as plastic eyes and noses, and are more easily destroyed by sharp puppy teeth. Choosing stuffed toys that are designed specifically for canines is typically safer, and they often include components such as squeakers and crinkling sounds that are useful in enticing your dog to play with them.

Advanced Obedience

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Any Day

Moderate

Hard

15 - 60 min

Items needed

Leash

Training Research

Activity description

Kromfohrlander dogs are highly intelligent dogs with a strong desire to please their human companions. They tend to prefer activities in which they work closely with a human partner such as advanced obedience. These dogs are very intelligent and sensitive, making them very intuitive and they are often better at guessing what it is that you are looking for than other breeds, but their sensitivity means that lessons can easily be undermined by harsh treatment, so only patience and gentleness are crucial when training your canine companion. The cost to enter competitions generally range from around ten to fifty dollars per entry, and the cost can vary greatly if you choose to attend classes with the guidance of professional trainers.

Step

1

Choose a training method

Canines can learn the commands required to successfully compete in obedience trials utilizing a number of methods, either individually or in conjunction with one another. Methods can include mirror or model training, dominance training, relationship training, clicker training, and positive reinforcement. These dogs are extremely sensitive to your wants and needs and respond poorly to harsh or domineering training methods, but they typically respond well to relationship training and positive reinforcement techniques.

Step

2

Semi-basic training

In most cases, your dog will have mastered the usual sit, stay, and recall commands in basic training lessons and proper manners from the training required to earn a Canine Good Citizen Award. For your dog to be competitive in advanced training trials, however, they will need to learn several other commands and behaviors. Your dog will need to be able to hold a sit for at least one minute and hold a stay position for two minutes, as well as consistently and accurately perform diverse commands such as figure eights, retrieves over a jump, heelwork, and scent discrimination.

Step

3

Choose your competition

There are many advanced obedience trials to choose from, and competitive events for both the AKC and UKC can be found by searching their websites. While they do have large sometimes televised competitions, they also host smaller competitions in certain regions, although some of these may be breed specific. Many individuals prefer to start with smaller, local competitions such as those that are put on by local training clubs or local pet-based businesses. Obedience competitions like these can be located by asking your local dog-related companies such as pet stores, rescue societies, and dog training facilities.

More Fun Ideas...

Canine Freestyle Dance

The sport of canine freestyle dance, in which a human and canine team perform a routine to music, has been steadily growing in popularity. Kromfohrlander breed dogs are playful and intelligent with a deep devotion to the people that they bond to, making them well-suited to this particular activity.

Agility Training

This breed of dog is highly trainable and very athletic, making agility training, in which dogs are judged on both accuracy and speed as they race through a series of obstacles, a natural choice for them.

Doggy Daycare

Although the Kromfohrlander breed is generally reserved with new dogs, it doesn't take all that long for them to become friendly. Exposing your dog to other canines in a somewhat controlled environment can help to reinforce the idea that meeting new dogs is a generally positive experience.

Conclusion

This relatively new dog breed is quite good at entertaining themselves, especially if provided with enough toys and room, but their intelligence and devotion to their owners also make them extremely trainable. Although they are quite happy to just play the role of companion to their humans, they will be better able to exhibit their full potential if they are given a chance to engage in more meaningful activities that allow them to work cooperatively with people.