Top Activities For Old English Sheepdogs

Introduction

Old English Sheepdogs are incredibly cute pastoral or herding doggos who stole the hearts of Hollywood and forever established themselves as the lovable goofballs with immense intelligence. They can grow quite large, and can reach at least 61 cm; they have a lot of fur and even a waterproof layer! They are generally well behaved even as apartment dogs, however, since they are inherently herding dogs, they do not enjoy small spaces and the city life. They are the happiest when they can get a lot of exercise and run around the field.

Bike Run

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Cheap

Easy

1 hr

Items needed

bicycle

leash

Activity description

As we know, herding dogs like to run. They love, well, herding, and being in open fields is heaven to them. Your Old English Sheepdog, however, may not have access to vast spaces, but you can still give them enough running time and get some much-needed exercise for yourself with Bike Runs! What are Bike Runs? Simple, you take a bike, you bring a dog along, you bike, they run! Easy peasy! Riding a bicycle is fun in itself, but having your best friend by your side while you do it is fantastic! The two of you can cover a lot of kilometers per day, and who knows, maybe you can qualify for an owner-dog competition?

Step

1

Prepare

Before you go out and just start riding your bike, you have to be prepared first. It is always recommended that you wear a helmet, but we won’t preach. Also, make sure that your bicycle is working correctly so you don’t lose a wheel or chain mid-ride. For your dog, get a nice leash, long enough that it can allow them to run by your side, or ditch the leash altogether if you are in an area that allows that.

Step

2

Teach

Secondly, you will need to do a few short practice runs to make sure that you and your pup don’t crash one into another. You have to teach your dog not to run in front of your wheels and not to get too close to the bicycle. You also need to avoid traffic, so it’s best to go to a big park or a forest and do the bike run.

Step

3

Bike and run

Finally, it is time to get to cycling. Arm yourself with energy and get outside and play! Your dog will love the speed of the bicycle which you cannot achieve on foot, and you will enjoy seeing them happy, running next to you, chasing after something unachievable. Stay safe, avoid the traffic, and most importantly – have fun!

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Human Herding

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Free

Normal

30 - 60 min

Items needed

treats

Activity description

Since your Old English Sheepdog is a herding dog, they, well, love herding. If you don’t live in the countryside and are not blessed with a stable full of sheep, there is still a way to satisfy your doggo’s instincts with Human Herding. Now, this sounds like something straight out of a horror movie, but it is quite a fun game you can play with your friends. Gather your fellow humans, go to the park, and let your dog do what they excel at – herding! The game is fun and exciting, and it can strengthen the bonds with your friends, promote exercise and healthy life, and most importantly – make your dog love you even more!

Step

1

Gather round

Call your friends and propose that instead of a coffee and a lazy afternoon, you have an active day instead. Tell them how the game works. You should all gather around to resemble a herd and start spreading out to mimic misbehaving sheep that your doggo should bring back to the rest of the herd.

Step

2

Play!

It’s time to start running and be herded! If your dog nips some of your friends, gently bat them on the nose to let them know that such behavior is not acceptable. If they keep doing that, stop the game and reprimand them. In time, your pup will learn that they are not supposed to do that and every time you play the game will get more fun!

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Hide and Seek

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Free

Easy

30 min

Items needed

treats

Activity description

All dogs love the game of Hide and Seek. It develops their mental capabilities and teaches them how to think ahead, so even on rainy days, you can still have a fun, educational game with your pup. Ideally, you would play this game in the park or somewhere in a forest, but if that’s not possible, your apartment or house will do. This game also teaches dogs to be patient and wait for a command. So, hide, command, and let them seek! Just don’t be too mean and hide somewhere where your doggo cannot hear you give a Seek! Command.

Step

1

Test run

Everyone knows how to play hide and seek. However, your dog is probably new to the game, so you need to teach them how to play first. Start by hiding somewhere really close to your pup. Have them sit and wait until you yell Seek! When they find you, give them a tasty treat to reward them for being so smart!

Step

2

Playtime!

Now it’s time to play! Get creative when hiding and don’t make the game too easy for your dog. They are smart enough, and they will eventually find you, just make sure you are somewhere where your dog can reach. That means, no climbing on the closets or attics. When your doggo finds you, give them a treat and include a lot of praise to promote good behavior and compliment their smartness.

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More Fun Ideas...

Agility Competition

If your doggo is at the peak of their physical health, why not try your luck in an Agility competition? Ask around or find a Facebook group with the next event and go and make some friends and win some prizes!

Toy Fetch

Spice up the game of fetch by using your pup’s favorite toy instead of a stick! Go to the park, throw the toy and let them retrieve it. Of course, give your dog a big hug when they do a good job!

Conclusion

Old English Sheepdogs are just adorable, lovable, well-behaved dogs that will enlighten your life. To keep them healthy and happy, exercise with them regularly, take long walks and play a lot of games to keep them entertained. Even on rainy days, you can come up with a fun game to play, and when the sun is out, get out of the house, put on your running shoes, and just start chasing after something! Your dog will love you more afterward!