Activities For Shepweilers
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Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
Based on the name of these cute and cuddly creatures, you've probably figured out that this breed of hybrid dog results from crossing a German Shepherd with a Rottweiler. As a result of their unconventional parentage, Shepweilers have inherited a number of traits from both of their parents that allow them to try out all kinds of activities; Shepweilers can learn to participate in agility, scent, and tracking activities as well as a few strength and brain training activities. These dogs have energy to spare as well, which allows the both of you to get involved with some pretty intense activities together.
Sand Jogging
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Any Day
Free
Easy
30 - 45 min
Items needed
Leash
Water
Doggy waste bags
Activity description
This inexpensive activity counts as both a strength training exercise as well as an agility training exercise, so you and your dog will be able to take out two birds with one stone! Sand jogging simply refers to the act of going on a jog, or a run if you're really feeling spry, through sandy terrain. The loose and uneven composition of sand will provide both you and your dog with a jogging session that'll be at least twice as hard as normal. We listed a leash as an item to use for this activity, but if your dog can stay by your side without a leash then you don't necessarily need it as long as your chosen jogging venue allows off-leash activity. Do bring water though, as you and your dog will definitely work up a sweat jogging through the sand.
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Sand jogging basics
While this activity may seem simple at first, there are a few nuances to it that one should be aware of in order to have the best time possible jogging through the sand. First off, you'll want to pay attention to the sand you're jogging over so that you can be aware of any pieces of glass or jagged rocks hidden in the terrain. A perusal of the area before you head out is a good idea. You'll also want to pace yourself, as you'll get fatigued even faster than you would jogging normally.
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Stretch well
It never hurts to get a good stretch in before you take this activity on; stretch your arms, legs, and torso thoroughly long before you even make it to the beach so that you won't have to worry about getting cramps during the run. Do the same for your Shepweiler as well; gently take two of their legs at a time and slowly pull them away from their center of mass so that your puppy will be all limbered up too. After the run, stretch again and rehydrate before heading for home.
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Scented Fetch
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Any Day
Cheap
Normal
15 - 25 min
Items needed
Fetching Objects
Scent Bottles and Sprays
Activity description
It's no secret that German Shepherds have some of the best noses in the business; their stupendous sniffers make them great search and rescue dogs as well as excellent K9 police workers. Rottweilers also shouldn't be counted out of the equation either; Rottweilers have gained an impressive reputation as protection dogs along with great companions. Used to working as a partner in a police unit, as a guardian, and in rescue work as well, one can similarly attribute their success to their excellent sense of smell, too. With such an impressive pedigree, it shouldn't come as a surprise that Shepweilers possess noses which are at least on par with both of their parents, allowing them to try out a number of scent based activities. Scented Fetch is such a scent game of low cost that puts a new spin on an old school activity.
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Understanding scented fetch
As the name implies, scented fetch consists of playing a game of fetch with your dog with a scented ball (or another scented fetching object of your choice) while prompting them to use their sense of smell to find the object you've just tossed. This activity is pretty intuitive on the whole, but we'd still say that it's one which is easy to play but hard to master. But if you and your dog keep playing this for a long enough time period, then your pup's sniffer could potentially reach the level of a K9's!
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Getting started
The trickiest part about getting started with this activity is getting the fetching objects to scented. To that end, we've found that using spray bottles and other sorts of aromatics can help fetching objects of all kinds retain a scent that your dog can find. Dogs tend to respond to the smell of lavender or the aroma of peppermint very well, so verify their suitability for your dog with your vet and then obtain a few bottles of those scents.
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3
How to play
Much like a regular game of fetch, you'll be tossing an object a few yards away before encouraging your dog to chase after it. But rather than simply allowing your dog to get a look at the item you want them to fetch, you'll want to let them sniff the item before you send it sailing through the sky. Your dog will try to find the object simply by looking for it, so try to toss it in an area where it'll be obscured from sight.
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Agility Training
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Any Day
Moderate
Normal
`45 - 60 min
Items needed
Hurdles
PVC Poles
Hoops
Water
Dog Treats
Activity description
For some people, the words "agility training" carry a very negative connotation; some may associate the term with putting their dog through rigorous training courses that make their pets feel stressed and sad. But from our experience, agility training isn't anything like that at all; not only can agility training be tons of fun for both your dog and yourself, it can also serve as a great way to help your pet become more confident and coordinated in the long run. You'll either need to get your hands on some agility training gear of your own or get in touch with a professional trainer who can help you and your dog get started. The cost of the activity will vary, depending on whether you seek professional training or go the DIY route.
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Understanding agility training
While many people enroll their pets in agility training courses in order to help them get ready for dog shows, agility training wasn't created for that express purposes; this activity is really a group of activities meant to help your dog improve their stamina, speed, and coordination so that they can become a more well-rounded canine.
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How to train your dog
The most crucial element to successfully training your dog in agility is to be consistent; whether you enroll your pup into a training program or if you set up the course yourself, train your dog daily for at least two weeks to really see results. Be patient as your pup masters making it through a hoop or weaving through a set of poles. Demonstrate obstacles like the hurdles; your pup will follow when you show them how much fun it is. Reward your dog with a treat when they make progress and console them with kindness when they fall short.
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More Fun Ideas...
Jump Rope
Shepweilers can be really springy breeds with seemingly unlimited amounts of energy. To help them burn off that energy much more quickly and constructively than they normally would, try having them jump over a jump rope a few times. You can do so by tying on end of the rope to a nearby pole or tree or by having a buddy help you out. Either way, go slowly early on before speeding up later.
Swimming
Shepweilers can learn to become pretty good swimmers, just like both of their parents, if they're allowed to spend enough time in the water. Gain access to a pool that has a shallow end, as well as have your dog wear a life jacket to help ease your pup's mind early on and then practice swimming with your dog regularly.
Conclusion
Shepweilers are very versatile breeds who can participate in a number of activities. While the activities we discussed in this guide are all reliable means of training your pet and helping them become more well rounded, they only scratch the surface of what you can eventually do with your dog. We encourage to continue thinking up new and creative activities that you and your pet can try out over the years and to really get to know your Shepweiler so that you can eventually tailor more activities to play off of your pup's specific strengths as well as their specific weaknesses.