Top Activities For Norwich Terriers

Introduction

Possessing the typical qualities of Terrier-type dogs, the Norwich Terrier is a dog breed full of energy with a hint of stubbornness. Compared to others from this family, however, the Norwich is more pleasant and sociable. It is also the smallest of the Terriers and is often mistaken for a Norfolk Terrier, with the most obvious difference being their ears. Despite the breed’s size, they are lively and full of life. A true explorer at heart, the Norwich Terrier is always up for excitement and willing to try new things, which makes it the best companion for people with a sense of humor and adventure.

Earthdog Trial

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Moderate

Normal

1 - 2 hrs

Items needed

Leash

Dog Waste Bags

Activity description

If there is a single thing that all Terrier-type dogs are famous for, it is for their penchant for digging. As an owner of the Norwich Terrier, you might have already known this beforehand or found out about their knack for digging the hard way (like how they destroyed some of your plants in the garden). While this is can be seen in a negative light, remember that the Norwich Terrier was bred to dig. A good way for your pooch to use their digging tendencies without destructing anything is through an Earthdog trial. In this non-competitive activity, dogs are judged based on their personal abilities for searching rodents while underground.

Step

1

Request for a rulebook

If you are planning to have your dog join an Earthdog trial, the first thing you need to do is to ask for a rulebook from major kennel clubs such as the American Kennel Club. This rulebook has everything you need to know about participating in an Earthdog trial. There are a number of ways for you to get your hands on a rulebook - you can have a copy sent to you, download a copy from the website or pick one up during an Earthdog trial event.

Step

2

Get in touch with a club

The next step to training your Norwich Terrier for an Earthdog trial is by contacting the national breed club of your dog or a local Earthdog or Terrier club. If you don’t know where to look, the AKC also provides a list of accredited clubs on their website. These clubs will help you get started with Earthdog training.

Step

3

Have your dog do the actual test

Once your Terrier goes through all the necessary training and you start to feel confident in their abilities, then you can register your dog for an actual Earthdog trial. Search for a date of an Earthdog event and fill up the necessary application. If you don’t feel like joining just yet, you can attend an Earthdog event to see how it works.

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Kayak Adventure

Popular

0 Votes

Hot Day

Cheap

Normal

1 hr

Items needed

Kayak

Paddle

Flotation vest

Activity description

Norwich Terriers are known for having a great sense of adventure, which is why they are a great choice for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure lovers. One fun outdoor activity in which your pooch can participate in is kayaking. Because of their size, Norwich Terriers can easily fit in a kayak without you having to worry about additional weight. Aside from the extra bonding moment, the fresh air and new scenery will also be good for stimulating your dog. This activity is particularly ideal during hot summer days, when the sun is out and going for a dip sounds like a great idea. If you already own a kayak, the expense is next to nothing, except for the purchase of a doggy flotation vest.

Step

1

Kayak familiarity

One of the biggest mistakes you could make when it comes to kayaking with your dog is to just go for it without any preparation. Remember, not all dogs are comfortable in the water, especially in that setting. Lack of familiarity can stress your dog out and may lead to some problems while in the water. Therefore, you should first introduce your dog to the kayak. Place the kayak in an area in your house where your dog usually hangs out. If your dog doesn’t voluntarily go to the kayak, use treats or toys to motivate them. Do this every day until your dog seems comfortable sitting on the kayak.

Step

2

Take the kayak out into the water

When you feel ready to take your dog out on a kayak ride, head down to the nearest lake or river. Make sure that the water is calm and flat, especially if it’s your dog’s first time out on a kayak. Additionally, don’t forget to equip your pooch with a flotation device in case they fall or jump off into the water. Then, with your dog on the kayak, carefully push the kayak into the water and ride it. Gauge your dog’s reaction to being in the water. Once they are calm, you can start rowing and kayaking out in the lake or river.

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Free Run

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Cheap

Easy

30 - 60 min

Items needed

Treats

Doggy Waste Bags

Activity description

One of the qualities that are inherent in Norwich Terriers is their eagerness to run and keep moving. In fact, they have a high prey drive, which is why it is recommended that they only play in secured or fenced areas. However, when not channeled some other way, depriving Norwich Terriers of the freedom to run freely can lead to some erratic or unwanted behavior. Instead of preventing your pooch from doing this, the best thing to do would be to find an alternative. There are lots of places where your Terrier can run about without a care, such as farms. By enabling your dog, they get satisfied both mentally and physically.

Step

1

Work on basic obedience

While this may seem irrelevant, brushing up on basic obedience is actually crucial if you plan to let your dog run around freely. The commands “stop”, “go”, "come" and “stay” are especially important because you will be using them to control your dog if they start to get out of hand.

Step

2

Free movement

Once you are confident in your dog’s ability to obey your commands right away, the next step would be to find a wide-open space where they can run freely. Some options include dog parks, farms or abandoned fields. Just make sure that these places are dog-friendly and that other people or dogs in the area won’t be aggravated by your Norwich Terrier. When you find a suitable space, bring your dog there and take off their leash. Eventually, your pooch will start to run without inhibition.

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More Fun Ideas...

Tug-of-War

An easy but effective way to use up your Norwich Terrier’s excess energy is through a game of tug-of-war. In this game, all you have to do is get your dog to bite on a toy rope or even an old sock while you hold on to the other end. Start the game by gently tugging on your toy or sock and let your dog tug back.

Wrestling

Norwich Terriers are small dogs who have a seemingly endless amount of energy and a big personality. A fun game that will help them use up some of their excess energy is through wrestling. In this activity, grab your dog and gently pin them down. This will get them to fight back and try to get away from your hold. Just keep it fun and keep it short, being sure that you are not handling your dog too roughly in order to avoid injuries.

Conclusion

The Norwich Terrier is a small and feisty dog breed; you will constantly find yourself having to keep up with this breed’s energy and crazy antics. While this may be overwhelming for some, the right owner will appreciate the Norwich Terrier’s active personality. When trained properly and given the right set of activities, this fun-loving breed can turn into an amazing household pet and outdoor companion.