Activities For Miniature Labradoodles
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Introduction
The reason for behavioral problems in dogs is often because they are bored or have excess energy that they haven't exercised off. You can prevent this from happening in your dog by providing daily activities that keep your pet engaged. Your Miniature Labradoodle comes from a history of working dogs so don't be afraid to put your little dynamo to work. A combination of the Miniature Poodle and Labrador Retriever, they are very intelligent dogs, and if trained with positivity, they can learn new tricks very fast. Train them to pick up toys, collect your shoes, carry the mail, or even bring in the firewood if you have a wood burning stove. They can be taught to wear a backpack and can help you cart your stuff around. Have some useful things on hand like a ball or lengths of rope tied to a tree, or even make a dedicated digging pit for them. Keep your dog busy and they will flourish!
Pedestal Training
Popular
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Sunny Day
Free
Normal
30 - 60 min
Items needed
Small stool or table
Tree stumps
Activity description
Pedestal training is fun for your dog and can provide a base for other training once they understand the concept. In this activity, you teach your dog to sit and stay on an elevated surface (sometimes described as stationed on the pedestal). They have to stay until you give them the command to come off. This activity is ideal for teaching your Miniature Labradoodle to focus, to obey a command, and to listen hard to what you want them to do! At home, you can use a low stool. When out and about, you can use a tree stump. Their focus will really be tested, as there will be many distractions to interfere with their training. Once they get the hang of this activity, you can ask them to rise up on their hind legs and beg, or maybe you could call them for a treat then ask them to return to the station. Pedestal training is free of charge but provides a highly prized level of obedience!
Step
1
Start training at home
You can start training your dog at home as there will be fewer distractions. A low stool or small table is ideal. Don't use a high table as your Miniature Labradoodle may jump off and hurt themselves. Start low and easy to begin with. Encourage your dog to sit on the seat or table and teach them to stay. At first, make the time they have to stay put very short, and they should be given a little treat to encourage them to play this new game. As your dog gets better at the game, increase the time they stay 'stationed'.
Step
2
Take the training to town
A real test for their focus and obedience is to take them on a walk to the park, and practice stationing there. A curb or tree stump makes for a perfect prop. Get your Miniature Labradoodle stationed and then increase the intervals as they get better. Allow your dog time off to have a sniff and play before trying again. The goal is to keep dog training short and fun. You can allow play time in-between, but always ensure that your dog is having fun or they will be reluctant to train with you.
Step
3
Add new tricks
Once your dog is a pro at stationing, you can teach them other tricks to do while they are in place. Sitting on their haunches and begging is a good, easy task. Or get them to run free after a ball, but the moment you say 'station' they have to run back to their spot. All these activities are fun for your dog and it fulfills that doggie need to serve. Your pup will love being the center of attention and your praise and affection are what they crave. So, teach your dog a new trick. Teach them to stay put, to station themselves and stay!
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Scent Games
Popular
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Sunny Day
Moderate
Easy
30 - 60 min
Items needed
Small treats to hide and reward
Activity description
With this activity, you can get your child to help with the training as they and the dog will enjoy this game. Dogs have excellent noses, and they love to track stuff, especially food! While this looks an easy game, it requires focus from your dog, especially when the game gets harder. Make the task simple at the beginning. As your dog learns the commands and what is expected of them, then you can increase the difficulty of the game. As the challenge gets harder your dog will have to use their nose, rather than their eyes to see where the treat is hidden. Not only is the game able to be played anywhere, fun, and of low cost, but your Miniature Labradoodle gets food as well! If you are worried about them putting on weight, just adjust their evening meal to compensate for the extra goodies.
Step
1
Slow and easy to begin with
Get your dog to sit and stay. Then, either you or your child can go out on the lawn and hide a treat in the grass. Let your dog see what they are doing for the first few tries. This makes it easy to find the treat and as well, they know what is expected of them. if your child is helping, get them to fuss over the dog once they find and eat the treat. This excitement and attention will encourage your dog to continue. A good ear rub and a lot of praise will help, then begin again.
Step
2
Getting tricky
Once your dog has the game sorted, make it a bit harder. This time, ask your child to 'fake' a few places where they put the treat, so your dog has to use their nose to locate it. They will follow your child's scent and search every place they stopped to plant a fake treat spot. When they find it, get your child to show their excitement. Your dog will be so impressed with this game that they will want to keep playing. Just hide one treat at a time so as not to confuse the issue. You want your dog to have to use their nose to track the treat.
Step
3
Third part of the game
Now, the game is going to get really hard. Hold your dog in the sit position, and ask your child to go around the corner and hide it somewhere. All your dog sees is the child going around the corner! When you release them to go find it, they will race to the corner but from there on they have to deduce where the trail leads to the hidden treat. This is hard work for a dog. They have to think about the problem, and try to find a way to solve it. Again, get your child to help if the dog is finding it hard. They can get excited when your dog is close to the treat, or quiet and softly spoken when they move away. When puppy gets it, explode with praise. What an amazing dog you have!
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Child Safety Lesson
Popular
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Any Day
Free
Normal
30 - 60 min
Items needed
Leash
Treats
Activity description
Family members often forget socialization and safety training for a dog. Safety should be taught to young children and to our canine family members as well. You will need to supervise both parties when they start playing and correct any behavior before it goes too far. Dogs can easily knock a young child down during the excitement of play, or they may start to nip the child. On the other hand, the child can get excited and hurt the dog, and they will not notice the growing signs of stress in your pup. The aim of this activity is to provide some guidelines for both your Miniature Labradoodle and your child so they can play together without any problems. Dogs will often signal distress by growling or showing the whites of their eyes. If the dog tries to flee the child, teach them to let them go. Safety for both is important here. The activity of teaching safety should be done daily.
Step
1
Teach and show
Both children and dogs learn by doing or being shown. As you observe them playing together, stop them if one or the other is getting out of hand. Explain to the child what they are doing wrong, and show your Miniature Labradoodle how they are expected to behave. If they keep bowling the child over, someone might get hurt. Teach them to slow down as they approach and to sit at the child's feet for attention. Give your child a treat to give your dog when they do this. A dog that jumps all over a small child can hurt with their claws or push them into something that will injure them.
Step
2
Teach the child
Watch again as the two play together. If your child is being rough with the dog, pulling their ears, or grabbing the dog's tail, stop the game and explain what they are doing wrong. Keep the chat positive and informative. Explain that your dog doesn't like this rough play. Tell them the signs to look for in a distressed dog. A growl is not a playful sign, and if the dog tries to get away, explain what could happen if they don't let go. Show them the teeth in your dog's mouth. That should drive your point home. Rewards work for children too, so reward each party when they are playing positively.
Step
3
Safety at home and in town
Children and young dogs are impulsive. When you are going to go out visiting, teach your child to let a strange dog come to them rather than letting them race up to a strange dog and throwing their arms around them. This could startle the dog and cause them to bite. The same goes for your dog. They must be taught not to race up to a small child and leap upon them; it is a must to keep your dog leashed in areas where unfamiliar children are at play. Parents can be unforgiving if your dog knocks down their child, even if your dog was just trying to be friendly. Education for both child and dog will result in confidence in both.
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More Fun Ideas...
Train Ride
Check that your city allows dogs on the train first before you try this activity. Instead of leaving your dog at home when you have to visit a friend and are taking a train, take your dog along as it is an ideal activity that they can learn from. As long as you are with them, it will be fun. Anything that is different teaches your dog how to behave and react. They gain confidence. So go train riding with your dog and enjoy a day out.
Miniature Labradoodle Slide
The children's playground is a perfect place to take your Miniature Labradoodle for a bit of exercise. The parks often have small slides which you can teach your dog to use. Just check that dogs are allowed in the park first. Many dogs love the excitement of zooming down the slide. But your dog may be reluctant at first, so be patient and go with them - even go down the slide with them on your knee. Once they get the hang of it they will want to keep doing it. This activity uses up a lot of energy, so let them go for it!
Chewing on the Right Things
We all know how dogs love to chew! It keeps their teeth clean and their jaw strong. Chewing can also relieve anxiety in a dog who is left at home alone. So if you have to go out and leave your pup, provide them with a variety of chew toys such as hard rubber toys or natural marrow bones. These toys or treats will take up a lot of their time and keep them out of trouble. It is good for their health, and that's important.
Conclusion
Your dog loves to be part of whatever you or your family is doing. Whether it's helping you to put out the rubbish, or just clean the car, they don't care - to a dog, it's fun stuff! If you have trained them to respond to certain commands such as come, sit, and stay, it certainly helps when you go out to activities in the community - everyone loves to see a well-behaved dog. If your dog's manners are a bit lacking, work on that first and then you can be confident to include them in family outings. Many community places welcome dogs and their owners, so there is no excuse to leave your Miniature Labradoodle at home. They will love all the new smells, the people and the dogs they meet. And if they are rewarded for good behavior and have your approval - then your little Labadab will be in heaven.