Top Activities For Schnotties

Introduction

Knowing how to entertain and stimulate a Schnottie can be a challenge because they are a rare dog breed that you don’t often see. They are a mix of a standard Schnauzer and a Rottweiler, creating a medium to large dog that can end up weighing as much as 65 pounds. Because both parent breeds are dogs of guarding and protecting capabilities, you will find they offer unparalleled protection and loyalty to their owners. However, without correct socialization and training, this can equate to a nervous, shy, or aggressive dog that cannot live harmoniously with other pets and children. As a result, early interaction and socialization are crucial. You will also find that Schnotties are dogs that require plenty of physical and mental stimulation. If you’re stuck for ideas, try these below.

Obedience Training

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Expensive

Normal

1 hr

Items needed

Leash

Treat

Activity description

One of the most necessary activities to carry out with your Schnottie, and one that will provide plenty of stimulation, is obedience training. While it can be quite an expensive activity, it’s one that only takes up an hour of your time per week but can have the most significant impact on your life. At a training facility, your Schnottie will learn how to socialize and interact with other dogs. However, you too learn some valuable skills such as how to handle your Schnottie. Obedience training is an activity you can do in any weather and for a Schnottie is a moderately difficult task. Grab a leash and treat, enroll and get started today.

Step

1

Review traits

Because a Schnottie is a mixed breed, you will find that there is no cookie-cutter Schnottie. Every dog – even if they are from the same litter – will have a different personality. As a result, you need to take a step back and be critical of your dog’s personality. Is there anything you would change if you could? Is there anything that you need to work on for harmonious home life? Reviewing your dog’s behavioral traits can help you work on them in training.

Step

2

Begin classes

Training classes usually run for up to eight weeks, with 60-minute sessions once or twice per week. These classes are often run in groups, but some dog owners also benefit from one-on-one sessions depending on the severity of the issues you are facing. Once you begin classes, your pup will learn vital socialization skills as well as necessary commands such as sit, stay, and come.

Step

3

Practice at home

Remember when you used to come home from school with homework? The aim wasn’t to make you miserable and miss out on play time; it was to help you remember and practice what you learned in school. That’s what you need to do when it comes to your dog’s training. Learn the necessary skills at the facility, then come home and practice over and over again until your dog understands what you expect of them.

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Tug of War

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Cheap

Easy

20 min

Items needed

Rope

Activity description

If you are looking for an affordable activity to strengthen the bond between you and your furry friend, then a game of Tug of War is an excellent idea. You can play it outside on a sunny day when you have 20 minutes to spare, and it only takes a quick trip to the pet store to buy a rope. What’s more, it offers your dog the opportunity to burn off all that pent-up energy, while also testing your strength limits at the same time. Given the strength of the breed and the strong jaw, you are sure to find that a round of Tug of War with your furry friend will be more of a challenge than you think!

Step

1

Buy rope

Given the size of a Schnottie and their strength, it’s essential to buy a rope toy that is going to handle plenty of use. There are many dog breeds – big and small – so the market for ropes is extensive. However, not every toy you come across is going to be suitable for your dog. The string needs to be thick, knotted throughout for extra strength, and rugged as opposed to thin. A thin toy would only be suitable for a small dog. If you can, buy one with a ball or another toy joined onto it for more fun.

Step

2

Clear space

Schnotties are not the smallest dogs, and they are going to need a relatively big backyard for everyday play. Therefore, if you decide to play Tug of War with your pup, you will need to set aside a spacious area in your yard. Their large body moving backward and forward on the lawn can create carnage if there are lawn furniture items and other things in the way.

Step

3

Play and strengthen the bond

With an area clear for a game, and the correct rope in-hand, you can now play a game of Tug of War. Such an exciting activity is beneficial for strengthening your bond with your dog, as well as offering the opportunity to spend time with them for 20 minutes or more. While it won’t tire them out completely, it can help to wear them out at least a little.

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Agility Course

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Cheap

Hard

1 hr

Items needed

Treats

Obstacles

Activity description

Schnotties are not naturally drawn to other dogs and can sometimes be aggressive. Therefore, finding activities they can do with you or by themselves is essential. Agility courses are a moderately tricky activity that your pup can carry out with your help, while also being affordable to put together and rewarding when they get it right. What’s more, it can use up all their energy in an hour or less. When the sun’s shining and you’ve cleared some room in your backyard, begin setting up an agility course for your furry friend. You will find that this activity is one that will be rewarding for you both!

Step

1

Build the course

Building an agility course is easier than you think, but requires you to get creative. If you’d prefer not to splash out on expensive agility equipment, you can use what you have around home and flex your creative muscles with DIY. For example, you can use fencing posts for agility poles, and the kids play tunnels for the dogs to run through. You can also use steps, tables, and lawn furniture for dogs to crawl under, walk over, or stand on.

Step

2

Use treats

To get your dog to run the course for the first time, you’re going to need a lot of snacks. All your dog will see is a whole lot of items on the lawn, and their owner trying to get them to stand on them. It won’t make a lot of sense to the dog. However, when they see food, many food-oriented dogs will be like putty in your hands – doing whatever you want them to do. As a result, it may only take a few test runs for them to know what they are doing.

Step

3

Run the course

When you have run through it a few times with food, you can try getting your dog to run the course without the inclusion of treats. You may need to put them on a leash and get them to go through the course. At the end of the course, reward your dog with a snack. Before long, you will be able to run them through it with confidence and without the need for food rewards.

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More Fun Ideas...

Chew Toys

If it’s a rainy, wintry day, or you don’t feel like heading out with your furry friend, make sure you have plenty of chew toys on hand – the stronger, the better. Because Schnotties are relatively large dogs, you are going to need thick, robust, and durable chew toys that won’t end up like rubber confetti in five seconds. Fortunately, there are many such options on the market from which to choose.

Running Buddy

If you want to burn off your dog’s energy quickly while getting much-needed physical activity for yourself as well, then a run is an excellent activity option. Half an hour is enough to wear your dog out while giving them the opportunity to see their neighborhood or local park. Make sure you have them wear a harness or leash and take a doggy waste bag with you.

Conclusion

Schnotties aren’t dogs you see every day, but that doesn’t make them any less rewarding to own. They are loving, loyal, and exceptionally protective dogs. However, given their general dislike for other dogs, they require you to get more creative with physical activity. If you try any of these activities, a few of your own, and put your best paw forward, you will find that there are several ways you can cater to your dog’s need for stimulation while having a lot of fun yourself.