Top Activities For Podenco Canarios

Introduction

The Podenco Canario is originally from the Canary Islands near Africa. This poignant hound is of ancient origin that goes back to both Spain and Ancient Egypt. they were bred purely for hunting rabbits, and today this canine is a wonderful hunter and family dog. This dog is loyal to family and is great indoors and outdoors, and needs activity to keep them content and stimulated. Typically, the story of a Podenco Canario that is used for hunting in the Canary Islands is not a good one. Since they are used solely for hunting rabbits, which, in the Canary Islands, are considered pests, once their hunting is done and they no longer can do so, they are often abandoned. They are not seen as pets, but as only workers to many. Luckily, there are many rescue sites out there if you are interested in this dog, which is similar to the Greyhound.

Frisbee Fetch

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Cheap

Normal

30 min

Items needed

Treats

Frisbee, or "disc"

Activity description

Playing fetch with a disc is a great way to give your sighthound activity that is stimulating and satisfying. You can teach your dog how to catch a Frisbee in mid-air and bring it back to you with some training. Disc catching can be done anywhere – in your yard, in a field, at a track, and anywhere else where your dog has plenty of room to run and jump. In order for your dog to be successful at catching a disc and bringing it back to you, training is required in stages. Before you know it, you will be able to sit on a porch and throw the disc for your dog to catch and bring back to you, which means little movement on your part will be required!

Step

1

Start with a treat

In order to teach your dog to get an object and bring it back to you, you must start slowly. Start with a treat that you know your dog loves. Sit the treat down, let your dog get it (your dog may eat it) and then encourage your dog to come back to you. Only stand a very short distance away. Once your dog comes back to you, praise them a lot! Repeat this many times over the next few days so your dog will understand to actually come back to you.

Step

2

Use a toy

Find a toy that your best pal loves to chase. Toss the toy at your dog at a short distance away from you. Once your dog grabs it, tell them to come back to you. Do this again and again over the next few days until your dog understands that bringing something to you means treats and a lot of praise!

Step

3

Use a disc

See if your dog will go after a disc and bring it back to you for a treat. If not, place the disc in your dog's mouth and step back a bit and give your dog a command to bring it to you, then repeat. Each time your dog brings it to you, reward them.

Step

4

Catching the disc

This may be very easy for your sighthound or it could be a little challenging. If your dog doesn't catch the disc yet, take it slow. Start by gently tossing the disc from just a few feet away and keep practicing. When your dog catches it, be sure to give your dog a lot of praise with a treat that they love.

Step

5

Practice daily

In order for your dog to successfully catch and bring a disc back to you, you will need to take the time and dedication (and even patience!) each and every day until your dog can do it consistently. It is important to keep consistent and after each day, you will see improvement in your dog's catching and fetching ability!

The Therapist

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Moderate

Easy

1 hr

Items needed

Harness

Leash

Activity description

Middle-aged to older sighthounds make excellent therapy dogs. Therapy dogs can do a lot to help others, such as give the elderly comfort in an assisted-living facility, being a companion to the disabled, helping in hospitals, schools, and much more. The mild and affectionate mannerisms of the Podenco Canario are why so many people love spending time with them! Many people find that being around a dog brings them comfort, and trained therapy dogs are quite the source of solace for many who are in need! Once your dog receives the training and the certificate, there are no limits to what your dog will be able to do.

Step

1

Find a course

In order to find the proper training course for your dog, you can contact the AKC, look online, or contact your local therapy dog trainer. Once you find a trainer and course for your dog, schedule the times and dates. Some therapy dog certification courses only take a few classes, depending on the amount of training your dog will need.

Step

2

Attend the courses faithfully

Be sure to attend every course and learn as much as you can as the dog owner and handler. The classes you both will attend may be several days a week, or one day per week, depending on the program. Be sure to document all classes attended, so when you apply for the certification, you will have the times and dates your dog attended the training.

Step

3

Apply for certification

Once your dog has completed the coursework and training needed to become a therapy dog, it will be time to apply for certification. In order to do so, there is typically an online form or a paper form that you fill out completely and then send it in with the fees, if any. You will be contacted by the organization that you chose to apply with and before you know it your dog will be a registered therapy dog!

Lure Coursing

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Moderate

Normal

1 hr

Items needed

Harness

Leash

Activity description

Lure coursing is growing in popularity as a physical and mental activity for sighthounds. Realistic looking animals are quickly pulled through a large course on an automated line or wire. The "prey" make quick turns and change direction often, and "run" quite fast. The hounds chase the animals, usually rabbits or large birds, and try to catch them. Sighthounds are very entertained by this type of sport because it allows them to perform what they are bred to do - chase animals. Lure coursing is even performed on the competition level, and if your sighthound is really good at it, you may want to consider letting your hunter join!

Step

1

Find a lure course

Do some research and see if there are any lure courses in your area. You can also check with your local sighthound group, dog rescue group, or you can call a local breeder. Check with them and find out information about the course, such as if you can bring your dog to try it out for the first time and what their protocol is.

Step

2

Take a visit

Make an appointment and take your dog. There will probably be rules and regulations to follow, so be sure to ask what the requirements are. The instructor or course guide will be very helpful and will let you know what you and your dog need to do to have a successful run.

Step

3

See how it goes

Going outside of your comfort zone may be something you and your dog enjoy. If you are not familiar with lure coursing, perhaps it will be an eye-opening experience! Even if your dog doesn't respond well to the sport at the beginning, your dog may come to be very good at it if you take your dog to practice often. Then again, your sighthound may catch right on and be the ideal sport hunter!

More Fun Ideas...

Canine Freestyle Dancing

Yes, dogs can dance, too! Canine Freestyle Dancing is an actual sport and can be done at competition level. Of course, your dog must be trained very well, and a lot of practice is involved, but it is done quite successfully! If you can choreograph a dance routine with your dog, not only will you have fun, but you may find your dog has a real talent!

Flyball

Flyball is a more complex form of fetch and is played with a tennis ball or similar ball. This is a dog sport that is done by your dog racing other dogs (typically over hurdles) to get a ball, then run back with the ball in their mouth. Flyball is also a competitive sport.

Conclusion

Podenco Canarios are very intelligent and fast-running sighthounds that can excel in many activities. They can be quite the fetchers and retrievers and enjoy a lot of action. If you own a Podenco Canario or similar breed, you can find many activities to do with them to keep them entertained and content.