Activities For Labrastaffs

1k Views
0 Comments
1 Vote

Prepare for unexpected vet bills

Find pet insurance Find pet insurance

Introduction

A relatively new cross breed without much information about their history, the Labrastaff is a hybrid dog that results from combining the Labrador Retriever and the American Staffordshire Terrier. Due to the lack of information about this designer dog, there is no way of telling how the hybrid puppy will ultimately turn out. Based on the qualities of the parent breeds, however, Labrastaffs have the tendency to be athletic, clever and always on the lookout for fun. Exercise is a must for this designer dog, since both parent breeds require a good amount of exercise for them to stay healthy. When paired with the right owner, the Labrastaff can become a lovely adventure buddy and an everyday companion all in one dog. 

Digging Patch

Popular
0 Votes
Sunny Day
Cheap
Easy
15 - 30 min
Items needed
Shovel
Toys
Activity description

While each Labrastaff will have a unique combination of traits inherited from both parent breeds, sometimes the attributes of one of the parent breeds are more dominant. If your Labrastaff takes on their American Staffordshire Terrier side’s affinity for digging, then you should keep them out of the yard if you do not want your garden to turn into a mess. A good way to prevent your dog from destroying your garden without curbing their knack for digging is by creating a designated patch in your yard. Having a digging patch for your dog helps keep them physically and mentally stimulated for little to no cost and will satisfy their digging needs. 

Step
1
Pick out a spot in your yard
To create a digging patch for your dog, you need to choose a wide enough area that will be used exclusively by your dog. It could be in a corner or somewhere far from your plants, if you have any. Then, create a border in this area using landscape timbers or bricks to let your dog know that it is their digging area.
Step
2
Bury items in the patch
When you have created the patch for your dog, take a shovel and start digging into the patch. Take some old items that you can bury such as old shoes, chew bones or baseball and tennis balls. Cover it up with soil. Then, bring your dog to the patch and let them dig through to find the buried items.
Love this activity?

Doggy Surfing

Popular
0 Votes
Hot Day
Moderate
Hard
15 - 30 min
Items needed
Surfboard
Flotation device
Activity description

If you like watching viral videos of dogs doing funny and amusing things, then chances are you’ve come across videos showing dogs riding some waves on a surfboard. It may seem impossible but you can actually teach your dog to surf, too! You will be surprised to find how popular surfing is among dog owners because of how fun and exciting it can be. If your Labrastaff takes on the water-loving quality of the Labrador parent, then there is no doubt that they will excel in this activity. With patience, proper knowledge and training, you can turn your pooch into the ultimate wave rider. 

Step
1
Get your dog attached to the surfboard
In order to succeed in dog surfing, your dog must build some an attachment with the board. After all, they have to be trained to get into the board before they can surf. The best way to get your dog familiar with the board is to bring it inside your home. You can also put treats on the board so your dog will associate it with something positive. Do this consistently until your dog becomes attached to the surfboard.
Step
2
Practice balancing on the board
The next step would be to allow your dog to feel the sensation of being on the board while it is in the water. You can start with a pool so your dog won’t be too overwhelmed. You can also choose a calm body of water such as a lake or river. Start by having just your dog on the board while rocking in the water. Then, you can get on the board with your dog and see how they are doing. If they panic, take a break and try again.
Step
3
Test out the waves
When you become confident in your dog’s abilities, you can test things out by heading out into the ocean. Get your dog on the surfboard and paddle out to catch some waves. It would be best to start with tiny waves, especially for first-timers. Make sure that your dog is equipped with a flotation device in case you get wiped out.
Love this activity?

Interval Training

Least Popular
1 Vote
Sunny Day
Free
Normal
30 - 60 min
Items needed
Water
Leash
Activity description

Labrastaffs are lively, energetic and active, which means that they will need to engage in a lot of physical exercise in order to stay healthy and satisfied. Running is an ideal activity for a breed such as the Labrastaff because it is more intense than the typical walk and can help them burn off more steam. However, if you want to provide your dog with the needed stimulation within a shorter period of time, you may opt for interval training instead. This form of exercise involves short spurts of intense exercise combined with slower activity. Studies have shown interval training to be effective for dogs and helps them fight health problems such as obesity. It is also a good complimentary exercise for your dog if they are involved in canine sports such as agility or dock diving.  

Step
1
Start slow
The usual ratio for interval training is 1:1 or 1:2, which means that for every one minute of intense activity, you get 1 to 2 minutes of a slower-paced activity. When engaging in interval training, you should start slow, typically kicking things off with a regular walk or a light jog. It's best to make sure that you build up your dog's stamina gradually.
Step
2
Incorporate some sprints
When you feel like you are warmed up, you can begin incorporating sprints into your routine. Go for a short run (about 200 to 400 meters) for a minute and then slow back down into a walk for another minute or two. Then, all you have to do is repeat the process for about 15 minutes. Make sure to observe your dog and see if they are showing any signs of fatigue. If so, don’t forget to take a break and hydrate. As the weeks go by, you can increase the length of interval training from 15 to 20 or even 30 minutes per day.
Love this activity?

More Fun Ideas...

Drive Around

An ingenious way to make something as typical as driving around town a fun activity is by bringing your dog along for the ride. Your Labrastaff will likely enjoy being in your company while driving around with the windows down and enjoying the views along the way.

Play Tag

Playing tag with your dog is not only amusing; your dog can also benefit from it because it can provide physical and mental stimulation. Head out to your backyard and initiate a game of chase with your dog to start.

Conclusion

When owning a dog, regardless of their breed, it is your responsibility as the owner to make sure that they meet all their needs. This does not only pertain to their food, water and shelter but also involves their overall health and satisfaction. For Labrastaffs, you need to be able to keep them physically and mentally stimulated through the right types of exercises, such as the ones listed above.Â