Activities For Labrotties

1k Views
0 Comments
0 Votes

Prepare for unexpected vet bills

Find pet insurance Find pet insurance

Introduction

What do you get when you combine the gentle temperament and happy-go-lucky nature of a Labrador with the loyal and affectionate Rottweiler? A Labrottie, of course. These big dogs are loving, devoted, and form strong bonds with every member of the family -- whatever you're doing, the Labrottie always wants to be right by your side.

Large and muscular, Labrotties are typically energetic creatures that need plenty of exercise. These gorgeous pooches have the temperament and intelligence to excel at a wide range of activities, so there's no shortage of fun and interesting outings you and your furry friend can enjoy together. Here are three of the best.

Treasure Hunt

Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Free
Easy
20 min
Items needed
Treats
Toys
Cardboard boxes
Activity description

Help your Labrottie channel their inner pirate and search for treasure with this fun game. Labradors in particular are known for their strong sense of smell, and this versatile activity lets your pooch put their sniffing skills to the test.

How it works is simple: You hide high-value items, such as tasty treats or favorite toys, from your dog. Your dog then searches for the treasure, and when they find it, they're rewarded with a treat, some play time, and/or plenty of cuddles.

Best of all, you can play Treasure Hunt inside or out, so it's equally suitable for sunny and rainy days.

Step
1
Teach your dog to "find it"
Depending on whether your Labrottie is motivated by food or play, choose whether you'll hide their favorite treats or toys. Start slowly by letting your pooch see where you're hiding the item, then encourage them to "find it". Their reward is either a delicious snack or some fun play time with you.
Step
2
Ramp up the difficulty
Once your dog gets the hang of it, start choosing more challenging hiding places for the treasure. You can hide treats in one room while your dog waits in another, or conceal items under cardboard boxes. Your pooch will need to use their sense of smell to track down the treasure, providing plenty of mental stimulation and a grrr-eat sense of achievement when they do.
Love this activity?

Fetch

Popular
0 Votes
Sunny Day
Free
Easy
30 - 60 min
Items needed
Tennis ball
Tennis ball launcher
Activity description
There's no more iconic activity you can enjoy with your dog than a good old-fashioned game of Fetch. Happily, this doggy staple is one that most Labrotties absolutely adore, as their strong retrieval instincts mean they're more than happy to chase a ball, bring it back to you, and then repeat over and over. We're using a tennis ball in this example, but if your pooch is a strong chewer, then you might want to go with something a little more durable. If your dog is particularly energetic or your throwing arm ain't what it used to be, you might also want to consider investing in a special ball launcher to help you get more distance out of each throw.
Step
1
Throw the ball
Adopt your best pitching stance, watch your dog tense up in anticipation, draw your arm back, and then launch the ball as far as you can into the distance. You'll be tempted to "pretend" to throw the ball but then hang onto it as your dog races off to find it, but Labrotties are smart and will quickly catch on to this silly trick.
Step
2
Fetch the ball
Your furry friend will then chase the ball, catch it, and race back to you as fast as they can. Make sure to reward them with plenty of pats and praise, and remember to be patient while you wait for them to relinquish the ball at your feet. Also be prepared to deal with a healthy amount of slobber on the ball!
Step
3
Repeat
And that's all there is to it. You throw and your dog fetches until either one of you is too tired to continue. Make sure you recognize the signs that your pooch is tuckered out and and give them plenty of water.
Love this activity?

Obstacle Course

Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Free
Normal
30 min
Items needed
Furniture
Kids toys
Natural obstacles
Activity description

Labrotties are intelligent, energetic, and highly trainable dogs, all of which makes them highly suited to the doggy sport of agility. But you don't need access to a host of specialist equipment to let them try their paw at agility -- you can do this by setting up your own obstacle course using everyday items lying around the home.

If you're outdoors, garden furniture, trees, and even the humble garden hose will do the trick, or you can invest in some cheap PVC piping and timber if you want to get fancy. If there's enough space indoors, use your furniture (stools, cushions, etc), kids' toys, and whatever else you can find to create a challenging and stimulating course.

Step
1
Build a course
The best place to start is to check out a few agility videos online to work out exactly what the sport involves. This should give you an idea of the type of obstacles you can set up, but it's entirely up to you how creative you decide to be. You can create tunnels to run through, hurdles to jump over, obstacles to weave in and out of -- whatever you want. But don't make it too complicated until your dog knows what's going on.
Step
2
Walk through it
With the course set up, put your dog on a leash and walk them through the course. Reward them for navigating each obstacle correctly and take them through the entire course several times. If they're getting bored or losing interest, don't hesitate to take a break and come back to it at a later date.
Step
3
Increase speed and difficulty
As your pooch gradually gets the hang of it, you'll eventually be able to take off their leash and let them navigate the course on their own while you run alongside. Speaking of running, over time, your Labrottie should become more adept at tackling the course at speed, eager to finish it (and impress you!) as quickly as possible. You can then start building longer courses with trickier obstacles. Just be sure to keep things fresh and challenging for your furry friend.
Love this activity?

More Fun Ideas...

Obedience Training

The Labrador's zest for life and the Rottweiler's sizable build mean that obedience training is essential for your Labrottie. Whether you're focusing on the basics (sit, stay, polite greetings, etc.) or teaching some cool tricks, make training sessions a part of your regular schedule.

Tug of War

A game that needs no introduction, Tug of War is a great way to have some fun with your pooch and also help them release some pent-up energy. So grab a sturdy rope toy, flex your muscles, and get started!

Conclusion

Regardless of whether you're looking to exercise your dog's body or mind, or maybe just spend some quality time with your fur-kid, there are plenty of paw-some activities you can share with your Labrottie. These playful and loving pooches will relish the chance to stretch their legs, soak up some fresh air, and just enjoy your company -- so what are you waiting for? Get out there and treat your Labrottie to as much fun as they can handle!