Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Bikejoring involves riding a bike; with your dog pulling you! The activity is a bit like dogsledding, only you are using a bike. Pulling you and your bike will not be easy, making this a great activity for a working dog who does best with a job to do. Not only will bikejoring keep your pooch busy and help them get their energy out, it will allow for the two of you to spend quality time with one another. Another benefit to your canine pal is that bikejoring will allow for them to run at the pace they prefer, as opposed to what you can handle. Getting out their energy will lead to a calmer dog who may even be ready to relax with you on the couch. Bikejoring is becoming more popular as folks look for ways to spend more time with their pup that offer the chance for them to get the physical and mental activity that they need.
A good job for a working dog breed is to get the food out of a food puzzle toy. These toys are well-made containers (usually of hard rubber or plastic) that have a place for you to put food or treats inside. The toy is designed so that your dog has to work to get the food or treats out of the toy. This will require your dog to shake, roll or paw at the toy in order to get the food out of it. Since it is usually not easy to get the food out, this activity will require a lot of patience and problem solving skills, likely keeping your dog occupied from some time. Prior to being domesticated, dogs had to search on their own for food; the puzzle toy, in a sense, replicates the experience.
The simple game of fetch is ideal for a working dog. The game gives your canine pal a job to do; they must go to the item, pick it up and bring it back. This can be done over and over until your pup is ready for a break. A game of fetch can also be played in the water for an extra challenge. Go ahead and throw the ball or Frisbee into a lake, river or the ocean and let your dog retrieve it. While simple, fetch will keep you working dog occupied and productive...and out of trouble!
Setting up agility activities is a great way to keep your working dog occupied. You can start small and simple, and build up from there. Activities are easy to set up for little or no cost. For example, you can hold up a hula hoop and your dog can walk through it to start. You can then raise the hula hoop off of the ground so that your pooch can jump through it, increasing the height gradually. A kiddie tunnel is another great agility activity; your pup can run through it again and again. PVC pipes can be used to create jumps as well as poles for your pup to weave through. As your dog masters a few activities, you can put them together to create an agility course for your dog.