Activities For Labrakitas
1k Views
0 Comments
0 Votes
Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
The Labrakita is a mix of the Labrador Retriever and the Akita. This mix has produced an energetic dog and a great companion. The Labrakita craves their owner's attention and can be destructive if left alone for too long. Powerful jaws can munch through pretty much anything, and an insatiable curiosity can lead to mischief. The secret to keeping this dog on the level is to provide plenty of activities for them to do. Socializing is essential, especially if your dog takes after the Akita side of the family. They need to mix with people to become confident. Take your dog on long walks, visits to see people, or trips to the markets, so they get used to crowds. Enroll them in obedience classes, agility courses, and anything to do with a hunting type of activity. Devoted and loyal, your Labrakita is a unique and special companion.
Obedience Training
Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Cheap
Normal
30 - 60 min
Items needed
Leash
Treats
Activity description
Your Labrakita is a devoted, affectionate dog, but they can be unruly if not trained in the art of obedience. Start training when they are a pup, and it will make taking your dog out a lot more fun. A dog who will sit, stay or 'leave it' is a pleasure to own. Teaching your dog to focus on you and not a flock of pigeons can take some time, so don't think it will happen overnight. The trick is to get them used to set commands, where they know if they obey they will get a special treat. Get them to respond to the call of their name by offering a reward they don't get often. They will learn to stop and listen when they hear their name and will return for yummy bits. A trained dog is much easier to take out, so start teaching and reap the rewards.
Step
1
Patience is required
Some dogs have a short attention span, so you will have to make the training fun and rewarding. Patience is needed because it can take a while for your dog to understand just what it is that you want. If they do it wrong, don't lose patience as it will make training an unpleasant experience for your dog and they won't be keen to do it again. Watch for signs that your dog is getting bored, and quickly switch to a fun activity. Once they burn off some energy, go back and do more training. Always praise your dog when they do what you want them to do, and reward them with a small treat.
Step
2
Break training into steps
Some obedience training may need to be broken into parts to make it easier for your dog to understand. For example, if you want them to sit and stay while you walk a distance away before calling them, start with the sit command to begin with. Teach them to sit when you give the command and play with them while occasionally asking them to sit. Make it fun! Then, move to the stay part of the training, and finally, the sit, stay and wait command. The waiting can be tricky as they will see you walking away and want to be with you. Start by just walking a few steps before calling them. As they get used to the fact that you will call for them, you can walk further away.
Step
3
It's all in the treats
For a difficult task like waiting while you walk off or training your dog to ignore an enticing flock of birds, the treat or reward has to be worth the effort. For these occasions, have a 'special' treat such as small pieces of meat, liver treats or whatever your dog loves but doesn't get much of. As they learn and obedience becomes second nature, you can replace the treats with easier options. But your dog needs to know all the effort to not chase another dog or a squirrel will be worth it. An obedient dog can go most places in public with you. It is worth the time it takes to perfect the command.
Love this activity?
Dog Team
Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Cheap
Hard
30 - 60 min
Items needed
Dog harness
Skateboard or Roller Skates
Activity description
Your dog loves to work and you love to go out with your skateboard or skates. What could be better than combining the two? If you teach your dog to pull you along, you can clock up the miles while you both have a lot of fun. Some dogs take a while to get used to the harness, and then they have to learn the commands for go, stop, left and right. Take it slowly and let them pull you around at home first. Make sure you both have learned how to work as a team. You have to be careful when out in the public that no one gets hurt. If your dog is not fit, start slowly. Your dog will try to please you and could overdo it, so include a few breaks and work up to long distances.
Step
1
Get cruising fit
Before you harness up your dog, make sure you are both fit enough for this activity. While you can relax and be pulled along, it will be hard work for your pup. If they have been a bit of a couch potato lately, then you will have to get them fit by adding more walks and games, and then start with a jog every second day. Because dogs love to please, your dog will not stop running and could harm themselves if they are not fit. Work up to this activity gradually. Get them to wear the harness and teach them to get used to instructions for working as a team.
Step
2
Venturing out
It is a bit scary the first time you take your dog out and are cruising along on your skate board or roller skates. There are bound to be a few mishaps as you adjust to working as a team in an environment loaded with distractions. Start somewhere quiet to begin with and work up from there. Only when you are sure you have it nailed should you take on the malls and the crowded markets. Your dog will get plenty of attention and will take this job very seriously. Remember to give your dog a great treat and a rub down when you get home.
Step
3
Cruising around
Once you two have formed a sturdy partnership you will be able to go out cruising together. It is a great way to get around and it will give your dog a sense of purpose. Your Labrakita comes from a working background and they will get bored just sitting around. And for some reason, dogs love to pull people along! If you have two dogs, you can train them both to work as a team and you will really go places. It will take time, and your dogs will have to work together, but it will be a lot of fun and you will get a lot of attention with your Labrakita dog team!
Love this activity?
Farm Fun
Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Free
Normal
2 hrs
Items needed
Leash
Treats
Activity description
If you have relatives who live on a farm, see if they would mind if you bring your dog out with you for a visit. Keep your dog on a leash or they might take off after the sheep, or other smaller animals. It will be a good outing with plenty to see and do. There will most likely be other dogs on site as well, so make sure your dog is well trained and obedient, and then your relatives will welcome you back. On a good day, long walks over the fields is an enjoyable way of spending the day. You may get to watch one of the farm dogs round up a flock of sheep or guide some cows into a pen. It will be a sensory overload for your dog, and they will love all the new smells. This activity will tire your dog (and is free!) which is a good thing.
Step
1
Ask for permission first
Rather than just turning up at your relation's farm, it is polite to ask them if it is okay to bring your dog with you. Naturally, they don't want a dog chasing all their animals, so assure them that your Labrakita is well trained. But take a leash just in case their drive to chase moving objects, such as the sheep, kicks in! It will be a day where they will have to focus and watch you for instructions on what to do. There will be other dogs, so only take your Labrakita if they are a good mixer.
Step
2
Enjoy the drive
The drive out to the farm will be almost as much fun as the farm itself for your dog. They love to see what is going on out in the big wide world, and to smell the breeze as you zoom along. Perhaps have a short break before you get to the farm so your dog can have a run and go to the toilet. This way they will arrive fresh and not all hyped up! Slip their leash on and start your visit. A sunny day calls for a stroll through the paddocks. There will be plenty for your dog to see and do. If they are well behaved and can be leash free do so, just keep an eye on them so they don't disappear. Enjoy the day!
Step
3
What a day
All good things must come to an end, but what a few hours your dog will have had! It is a lot of fun when your dog has a large space to run around and the opportunity to play and socialize with other dogs. It is important that your dog learns to mix with other pets as they will be able to accompany you if they are well behaved. A farm is a great place to let off steam! Their head will be nodding as you drive home and they will be very quiet at night. A tired dog is always a quiet dog!
Love this activity?
More Fun Ideas...
Bounce With a Difference
Your Labrakita loves to retrieve and will play fetch for hours if they can. A new toy for dogs is a ball with an uneven surface, so when it bounces, it is hard to predict what direction it will go in. This new type of toy will keep your dog guessing, and it will be harder to grab the ball on first bounce! They will have to change direction quickly to follow the ball, and then on the second bounce - who knows where it will go? This activity is very entertaining and is an energetic game for your dog.
Time to chill out
Sometimes it is nice to relax in the sun with your pup. Life doesn't have to be all high energy action; you still need those crucial bonding moments. Your Labrakita will love curling up next to you; they may even try to sit on your lap! But a good snuggle, a few hugs and time together just watching the birds fly in and out of the garden is your special time. Or you could give your pet a food dispensing toy, and they can sit at your side and figure out how to get the food out of it while you relax.
Conclusion
Water games can be an ideal way to entertain your dog, or if it is winter, train them to pull a sled, and they will enjoy every minute of it. The Labrakita is an intelligent dog, so test their skills with a homemade agility course using boxes as jumps, or hula-hoops for your dog to jump through. Teach your dog to wear a backpack and they can help you carry some of the groceries. Your Labrakita makes an idea jogging or hiking companion, but do keep them on a leash as they have a high prey drive and may take off after a squirrel! Train their brain, exercise them well, and you will have a dog who will be content to settle down at night with you and snuggle. If your dog has your attention, they will be one happy dog.