Activities For Shelchons

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Introduction

Shelchons are a beautiful hybrid breed consisting of a Shetland Sheepdog and a Bichon Frise. While it may seem like an unlikely combination, the result of these two dogs breeding is one small fluff ball that has excellent herding and guarding personality traits, while also being a loving and friendly family pet. Even though Shelchons are suitable for both apartments and standard houses, they also require a significant amount of physical and mental activity. And, failure to offer that can mean you say goodbye to some of your much-loved possessions. Shelchons, you will soon realize, are very destructive when you don’t pay them any attention. Avoid the chaos by taking part in any of these activities below. 

Obedience Training

Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Expensive
Normal
1 hr
Items needed
Leash
Treat
Activity description

There is no denying that a Shelchon is a well-behaved dog, but training is necessary to help counteract some of the natural traits they often have. For example, the Shetland Sheepdog is an excellent herding dog, which means the Shelchon is bound to have that to an extent as well. If they are trying to herd smaller pets such as the family cat or smaller dogs, then obedience training can help to correct it. What’s more, obedience classes are a recommended activity for young puppies looking to learn the lay of the land. While sometimes expensive, it’s an all-weather activity that only takes up an hour of your time. Therefore, there’s no harm in booking in, grabbing your leash, a treat, and your furry friend, and hitting the road. 

Step
1
Review your dog
Before you book into training – pay attention to things you believe you need help to correct. Some dogs have poor listening ears, which means you may need help to get them back on track. Other Shelchons, however, are more interested in herding than paying attention to you. Then, if you get a young puppy, you need to try to learn all the basic commands such as sit and stay. Compile a list of what you would like to learn, so you don’t miss a thing.
Step
2
Enroll
When it comes to training your Shelchon, you’re going to need an expert. It can not only be challenging to educate you on being strong and standing your ground but to understand the breed and be patient while offering positive reinforcement. It takes an exceptional trainer to meet those requirements so be sure to ask around. Talk to friends and people who have used dog trainers, or enroll them in a puppy school if they are between eight weeks and six months’ old.
Step
3
Train
Training begins in a facility with one-hour sessions for up to eight weeks. However, it doesn’t end when these sessions are over. Instead, you need to keep practicing what you are learning at home, using positive reinforcement to get your Shelchon to behave and follow your orders. Remember to be consistent with your training techniques and use both snacks and pats as positive reinforcement.
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Bark Training

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Any Day
Free
Normal
5 min
Items needed
Tin can
Coins/nails
Activity description

Shelchons are excessive barkers, and you may feel like there is nothing you can do to stop the behavior. After all, they can bark when you arrive home, when you leave, and when people walk by. If you live in a densely populated area of town, the high-pitched barking can wear your patience thin. However, you don’t have to put up with it. Bark training can be an activity you can do with your dog that discourages barking but encourages them to focus their mind on something else. You can train in any weather, it takes five minutes at a time, and you only need a tin can and a few coins or nails. 

Step
1
Build a deterrent
To begin bark training, you first need to build your deterrent. Rather than spend the earth buying a noisy shaker, you can make one using a tin can and a few coins or nails. Put the metal items within the tin and cover it with tin foil or a cap to stop them from coming out when you shake it.
Step
2
Shake, shake, shake!
Be ready with your can as soon as your Shelchon begins to bark. Give it a few hard shakes and watch as your dog stops what they are doing and pays attention. You have now broken their train of thought, so you can follow it up by engaging them in something else while saying “shh, no barking.”
Step
3
Follow through
The aim of shaking the can is to draw your dog’s attention away from what they are barking about and back to you and the tin. Eventually, as soon as your pup begins to make noise, they will associate it with the loud noise of the tin, and will, in theory, bark less often as a result. While you don’t want to deter your dog from barking when someone arrives, for safety reasons, you do want to stop the incessant barking, which a tin can and coins can help to do.
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Dog Park

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0 Votes
Sunny Day
Free
Easy
1 hr
Items needed
Leash
Doggy waste bag
Toy
Activity description

Not every fun activity for your Shelchon has to cost the earth. There are plenty of low-cost and free games and activities that can entertain them for hours at a time – including the dog park. On a sunny day when you’ve got an hour up your sleeve, pack a toy, clip on your furry friend’s leash, and take a leisurely stroll to the dog park. Even though it’s an easy activity, it’s one that will provide no end of enjoyment for your furry friend. Be sure to include journeys to the dog park into your routine on a regular basis. 

Step
1
Choose a park
Your dog may be small, but they are large in character. With strong herding characteristics and a bossy disposition, you may want to choose a dog park enclosure where you can control the encounters they have while being a short distance from them. The best park for your Shelchon is going to be one where they can play with small and medium-sized dogs, with room for you to sit and watch.
Step
2
Start slow
Early socialization is essential for a Shelchon, but if you’re not sure how they are going to react when you take them to the park, be sure to start out slow. Walk around the enclosure with them on the lead, and only introduce them to other dogs when you’re sure they’re going to play nicely. You can then walk them in, on their leash, to begin play.
Step
3
Play
With regular trips to the dog park, this activity is one your pup is going to look forward to the most. Even if they were a little nervous or unsure at the beginning (or downright bossy), they would soon establish a pecking order with their new friends, enabling them to all play together well. The more trips to the dog park you have, the more you will be able to bring home a tired pup who is ready for a long nap.
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More Fun Ideas...

Walk

Rather than go to the dog park all the time, sometimes a walk is equally as beneficial but can be more convenient. Set 30 to 60 minutes aside and take your pup for a walk through nature, through your neighborhood or your local park. Even though you may not think walking is stimulating, your dog’s senses are going wild for everything that’s happening around them.  

Chew toys

If you have to leave your dog alone for a few hours, or you are having a lazy day at home indoors, then chew toys can be an excellent activity option for your furry friend. Not only do they provide an alternative to chewing your shoes, but they can be a distraction that gives you time to carry out chores and other bits and pieces around the home. 

Conclusion

If you’re tired of picking up shoe confetti because you haven’t given your Shelchon enough love and attention, then listen up. These activities above are going to help you not only train your pup to be more well behaved but thoroughly stimulated after playing with other dogs as well. After all, being bored when all you want to do is play is pretty ruff. Make sure you give your Shelchon at least an hour, if not more, of mental and physical stimulation every day.