Activities For Pit Heelers

First, you will want to decide where you and your Pit Heeler will hike or walk. This can be as simple as strolling around your neighborhood, to driving a few hours to hike in the wilderness. While considering where to go, you will want to keep a few things in mind. Consider the fitness level of you and your dog, how much time you have for the activity, the weather and how far you want to drive. You can do different walks or hikes as you please, keeping things interesting for you and your pup.

When going on a walk or hike with your Pit Heeler, there are a few things you will want to be sure to have along. There are the basics, like a leash, waste bags, water and treats, that you will likely want to have along regardless of how long you plan to walk for. Should you plan to go for a long hike in the wilderness, consider bringing some additional items, like a first aid kit and a compass or GPS.

Once you have everything you need, you and your Pit Heeler are ready to head off. Either head on down the street or hop in the car to get to your destination. Be sure to have your pup on-leash during your walk to ensure their safety. If you are taking a hike in the wilderness, look for information regarding whether your dog is able to be off-leash on the particular trail. Allow your pup to stop and smell the flowers (grass, trees, dirt) as that is part of their fun. Offer your pup water regularly throughout you walk so that you can be sure that they remain hydrated. Your Pit Heeler will appreciate the activity as well as the special time with their person!

If you think your pup would like some water time, or you want to give lake fun a try, you choose a water source to visit that is close to home. If your dog has never experienced water, a lake may be the way to start, while if your pup has proven to be comfortable in water, either a lake or a river are great options. Consider how far you want to drive when choosing where to go, as well as the quality of the water and if a river, how fast the current is.

When packing, bring a towel or two as it is likely that one (or both of you) will be getting wet. If your dog does not have experience in the water, a canine life jacket may help you gain a piece of mind, at least until you can assess the swimming ability that your pup has. Bring along a ball for a game of fetch if you choose. Any other items that you decide to bring will depend on where you are going. For example, if visiting a lake, you can bring a large tube or raft for you and your canine companion to float in. Your dog may even enjoy pulling you in the raft back to shore!

Now that you know where you are going and have what you need, you are ready to have some fun with your pup. Upon arriving at the river or lake, give your Pit Heeler the opportunity to explore the water on their own. If they have not had much water experience, it is fun to watch them check it out and become more comfortable. Some pups just run right in, while others are more slow and deliberate. It is likely that your Pit Heeler will soon be frolicking in the water and going for a swim. Once you see that they are comfortable, you can engage them in a game if you choose, by throwing a ball or a stick into the water.

The first thing to do if you are looking to try agility with your Pit Heeler is to choose a few obstacles to get started with. The internet will offer plenty of information on different activities that you and your pup can work on together. When choosing whether to work on jumps or balance, consider the strengths of your dog and choose activities that play to those strengths. This will allow your dog to gain confidence as they start in a way that will likely be easier for them.

Once you have decided on which activities you would like to work on, you will want to acquire the items that you need to set up each one. Let's say, for example, that you want to set up a weaving course for your dog. You can use orange safety cones or PVC pipes to set up obstacles for your pup to weave in and out of. If you want to create jumps for your pup, you can use a hula hoop (start by placing it on the ground for your pup to walk through and then slowly raise it up). A little online research will be able to provide you with great ideas on what to use to set up different activities.

Start with one activity and start simple. After all, you want to help your pup gain confidence. As your Pit Heeler demonstrates that they can handle a low jump, for example, reward them with a treat and increase the height of the jump. You can keep increasing the height of the jump as your pup gets the hang of it. Follow this idea for several different activities. Once your dog has the hang of a few agility activities, link a few together and create an agility course for them. Continue training your pup on new activities to keep things interesting for them (and you).