Activities For Pudelpointers

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Activities For Pudelpointers

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Introduction

The idea for the Pudelpointer dog breed was originally conceived in 1881 by a German breeder, Baron von Zedlitz. He was aiming for a dog that could consistently track, point, and retrieve, making them a competent hunting dog for game birds both on land and in the water. Utilizing a combination of German hunting Poodles and English Pointers, Zedlitz developed an excellent all-around hunting companion who is also easy to train and friendly. These dogs are active hunting dogs and they tend to require a great deal of both physical and mental exercise in order to be at their happiest and healthiest.

Canicross

Popular

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Any Day

Moderate

Normal

15 - 45 min

Items needed

Harness

Waist or Hip belt

Bungee connector

Waste Bags

Activity description

Canicross is a dog-powered sport in which a dog is harnessed to a runner to enable both the human and their dog to run more quickly. This sport was first developed in order to help prepare young sled dogs for mushing as well as to maintain the fitness of sled dogs during the snowless summer months. It has recently begun to increase in popularity amongst pet parents of non-sledding dog breeds as a way to maximize fitness for both themselves and their canine companions as well as an excellent way to improve communication between them. While this moderately expensive sport can be quite enjoyable as a casual activity, it is often organized as a competitive sport as well. Try it out to allow your Pudelpointer to burn off energy while you exercise. Once you buy your equipment, canicross is a free activity.

Step

Prepare the equipment

There are only a few pieces of equipment that are required to get started in canicross. You will need a sturdy harness that fits your dog well, meaning that it is snug enough that it isn’t loose to cause chafing, but not so tight that the chest won’t be able to fully expand when the dog is running. Also required is a specialized belt that fits around either your waist or your hips, and a bungee lead that connects the two. The lead is typically designed to easily spring back into shape after being stretched which helps allow for adequate levels of shock absorption during the run. Before each use, the equipment that you are using should be checked to ensure it is free from damage and defect.

Step

Train your dog

Canicross is a great sport to help improve both the communication level and the bond between you and your pooch. The canine member of the team runs ahead of the human member and is generally unable to focus on your face or body language for clues, so they need to be able to reliably respond to verbal commands that instruct your dog to slow down, go faster, turn right or left, and to yield or go around. Starting canicross prior to reliably learning these commands can be confusing and even dangerous.

Step

Get moving

Once you and your Pudelpointer are clearly communicating and the equipment is thoroughly checked, you are ready to start running. Canicross was designed to be enjoyed along woodland park roads, forestry trails, or on easy to moderate hiking trails; running on too much asphalt or paved roads may eventually cause damage to both you and your canine companions ankles, knees, and feet. A good way to ensure that the pads of your dog’s feet get the proper conditioning is to choose a mix of softer and harder types of grown to cover.

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Hunting Games

Popular

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Any Day

Cheap

Easy

5 - 15 min

Items needed

Duck decoys

Leash

Stuffed bird wings with feathers

Activity description

Pudelpointers were developed to be excellent all-around hunting dogs, and they are still frequently employed to track, point out, and retrieve game birds both in and out of the water. Those who hunt with Pudelpointer dogs occasionally return with more birds than they actually shot as these dogs are known for finding shot birds among bullrushes that other dogs were unable to locate. This breed of canines is required to pass a hunt test in both Germany and the United States in order to be eligible to breed and are less concerned with the dog’s form or appearance. If you are planning on hunting your Pudelpointer; you can help them to prepare early by playing games that will help to teach them the basic skills required to make an excellent hunting dog.

Step

Duck or decoy

A Pudelpointer that is intended to work as a duck dog will need to be able to recognize the difference between a decoy and an actual dead duck, as well as being taught that the decoy is a tool and not a toy so should not be picked up or chewed on. One way to train your pup to ignore decoys is to spread out several decoys that are meant to be ignored, with just one or two actual targets in the mix. While some hunters save a dead duck from the previous season to use as a target, many others find it simpler to anoint a stuffed duck toy or a training duck dummy with the actual duck scent.

Step

Walking in the pocket

Those that hunt land-based game birds generally prefer that their hunting dogs remain in or near the swath of cover that encompasses roughly the area between ten o’clock and two o’clock directly in front of the hunter. This ensures that the dog is within sight, making it easier to hunt without having to backtrack or spend too much time searching for the dog. Training your hunting dog to stay in front of you when walking through cover is simple, especially if started when the dog is just a young pup. Begin walking your pup with a long lead and whenever they start to lag behind or go too far off course, make a sharp noise like clapping your hands in order to get their attention. Then, point in the direction you want them to go and gently tug on the leash to move them in that direction, praising them enthusiastically when they are back in the correct area.

Step

Feather retrieval

While the Pudelpointer is generally inclined to chase feathered things, their drive can be increased by occasionally replacing their usual fetch toy with duck or pigeon wings from previous years. These fetch games should be kept fairly short and uncomplicated; two to three sessions consisting of five to ten minutes a day is ideal. This is a good way to help reinforce impulse control as your dog matures as well, by having your future hunting partner wait to start running after the target until the command to retrieve is given.

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Dock Diving

Popular

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Sunny Day

Moderate

Normal

15-45 minutes

Items needed

Target

Dock with long narrow pool

Activity description

Dock diving, also referred to as dock jumping, is a recently developed canine sport that was first exhibited just over a decade ago during the 1997 Incredible Dog Challenge. When participating in this competitive activity, canine competitors run to the end of a thirty-five to forty foot dock, jumping off the end in pursuit of a specific target, with the goal of securing either the longest or highest jump in the competition. Since it’s inception, dock diving has become quite popular and several Dock Dog associations and clubs have formed throughout the United States with many competitions available for those who wish to participate. Pudelpointers typically have a high drive to retrieve and a fondness for water, making them excellent candidates for this activity.

Step

Learn to swim

The majority of Pudelpointers enjoy the water and won’t need a great deal of persuading, but some may require a little encouragement. It is important you’re your dog be comfortable enough in the water not to panic when they jump in from the edge of the dock. Taking your dog swimming a few times before participating in this activity will ensure that they are not only comfortable with the feel of the water but confident in their ability to swim as well.

Step

Jumping In

There are two methods for encouraging your dog to make the longest or highest jump. The first is called "place and send" and the second is "chase". When using the chase method, your dog is commanded to stay at the starting position while you go to the end of the dock, throw the target and release your dog from the stay position so that they can chase the target off the dock. When using the place and send method, a specific target for your Pudelpointer to reach for is either suspended over the pool or thrown in the pool first. Walk your dog back to the end of the dock and release them to chase the target.

Step

Compete!

Dock diving has become quite popular in the United States, and many dock diving or dock jumping competitions are now held throughout the country, at many different levels. Many of the smaller, local competitions are free to enter or have only a modest cost which is often donated to a cause, and the majority of official sanctioned competitions tend to cost around twenty to twenty-five dollars per splash. Many of the competitions offer discounts for early sign-up, but most still allow dogs to enter the day of the competition.

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More Fun Ideas...

Swimming

These dogs were developed with the ability to retrieve waterfowl in mind and they typically take to swimming with gusto. This activity helps to build muscle as well as strengthening the cardiovascular system, all without stressing your Pudelpointer's joints or skeletal system.

Flyball

The dog sport of flyball is a fast-paced activity in which dogs compete relay-style to race down a straight track that is punctuated by hurdles, then activate a box the releases a tennis ball which they then have to return back to the beginning of the track. Pudelpointers are fast dogs with a strong desire to retrieve, making them excellent candidates for this particular dog sport.

Conclusion

Pudelpointer Dogs are active and intelligent canines who are capable of participating in a number of different activities that can help to improve both their physical and mental health. They are not only excellent hunting companions for hunters of both land and water based gamebirds, but they also have the capability to excel at a variety of other dog sports. Take your Pudelpointer out for a day of fun and get some fresh air for yourself at the same time!