Top Activities For Shockerds

Introduction

Not every dog requires a lot of physical and mental stimulation, but if you adopt a Shockerd, you will soon learn they are one of the breeds that do. The Shockerd is a combination of Cocker Spaniel and English Shepherd, making them a highly intelligent, well-behaved and family-oriented dog. While they will listen to instructions well and help you with any herding task you require, they will also happily romp around in the yard under supervision with the kids as well. Most Shockerds require at least 45 minutes to an hour of exercise per day, so if you’re looking for new ideas, we have some great options on offer below.

Fetch

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Cheap

Easy

1 hr

Items needed

Fetch toy

Activity description

There are very few dogs as adept at a game of fetch as a Shockerd. It almost seems like they were born to play it. Thanks to the English Shepherd parentage, your Shockerd will see anything you throw as an opportunity to retrieve. As a result, you will enjoy knowing that you help your dog to burn off energy with an hour-long game of fetch. Fetch is also very affordable given that you only need to buy a retrievable toy, and you can play it outside in the sun. However, unlike smaller dogs that only need a postage stamp backyard, you will need to head to a vast and open field to play a worthwhile game of fetch with your furry friend.

Step

1

Buy a toy

When you are playing a game of Fetch with a Shockerd, the more aerodynamic the toy, the better it is to throw. The goal of fetch with your furry friend is to tire them out as quickly as possible. Given their high energy levels, it will take a little longer if you don’t throw their toy far enough. Invest in a ball thrower to help with the task, or try out frisbees and other aerodynamic toys that your pup will have to chase for miles.

Step

2

Find an area

If you live in a densely populated town or city, then the likelihood of your backyard being big enough for a game of fetch is minimal. Shockerds need plenty of space to run and retrieve, so you may need to find a park, open field, or a farmer’s paddock they don’t mind you using. If you tried to play in your yard, you would be playing for hours with no sign of your dog wearing out.

Step

3

Play and retrieve

It’s now time to play – and you will soon learn that fetch is a game that takes minimal effort on your part. You can sit down or stand, then throw the toy. Your dog will chase after it, pick it up, bring it back, then you repeat the process all over again. Remember, the further you throw it, the quicker your dog will deplete the energy resources!

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Dog Park

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Free

Easy

1 hr

Items needed

Doggy waste bag

Leash

Toy

Activity description

The need for a dog park as a free sunny weather activity option can depend on your dog’s personality. If they take after the English Shepherd in them, they are more of a solo runner – being able to take or leave the company of other dogs. If they are more Cocker Spaniel, they do well with trips to the dog park for a playdate. When you combine the two breeds, however, a trip to the dog park is still going to be an excellent way of helping them to burn off energy in a controlled setting – all the while offering essential socialization skills. Grab a leash, waste bag, and toy, and head down to your local park for an hour of energy burning!

Step

1

Choose a park

Dog parks are all very different, which is why some people prefer to go to one over another. While you will find it more convenient to visit the one that’s closer to your property, it may not be the best for your dog. You need to think about the size, condition of the fencing, and how they organize the dogs. Alternatively, look at online Google reviews and talk to family and friends. You may even be able to arrange a group of friends to visit the best park together.

Step

2

Play and socialize

When you found a park that suits your dog’s needs, then gather up their fetch toy and head there. Once they are in the enclosure that’s suitable for their size, you can begin throwing the toy in a game of fetch, offering the opportunity for other dogs to join in as well. By including at least one dog park trip per week into your schedule, your dog is bound to get all the socialization they require.

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Homemade Food Puzzles

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Cheap

Normal

1 hr

Items needed

Balloon

Water

Treats

Drill

PVC Pipe

Muffin tin

Frozen vegetables

Activity description

Shockerds, by nature, are very intelligent and inquisitive. A walk around the neighborhood, a game of fetch, or a run in a park is not going to cater to their need to challenge themselves. However, food puzzles can. Rather than spending a fortune on store-bought puzzle toys, why not make your own? Creating homemade food puzzles for dogs enables you to flex your creative muscles while providing them with something that will satisfy their curiosity in any weather for an hour or more. What’s more, most of the things you require such as a muffin tin, clean PVC pipe, treats, and frozen vegetables, are things you have at home.

Step

1

Make a maze

Using the muffin tin and a few treats, you can make a quick and effective food maze puzzle for your dog, making them navigate their tongue to get the rewards. Flip the muffin tin upside down, so the holes are toward the floor. Then, spread a few biscuits over the tin. The bumps will make it challenging to get the food out, but your dog will have a ball trying!

Step

2

Make a treat hider

Most homeowners will have at least one short piece of PVC pipe lying around somewhere. If not, make a point of purchasing a small amount with caps on each end from your local home depot store the next time you’re out. Using a drill, you can then drill penny-sized holes in the sides, or holes large enough for treats to go in. Add a handful of treats to it, then let your dog roll it around the floor.

Step

3

Make a treat ball

While not a ball in the conventional sense, a balloon treat ball is something special for those hot summer days. Fill a balloon up with water to around the size of a softball, then add frozen vegetables such as peas, carrots, corn, and beans. Tie the end on it, put it in a bowl, then carefully place it in the freezer overnight. You can then peel the balloon off and let your dog loose in the backyard with this solid ball of ice. They then have to lick it, getting plenty of water to hydrate themselves in the sun, to get to the vegetables.

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More Fun Ideas...

Bubbles

Shockerds love to run, jump, and herd, which is why having bubble mixture handy could be an excellent idea. When you blow bubbles for your dog, you’re able to appeal to their instinct to herd, as they will want to try and gather as many bubbles as possible. This activity will help to provide stimulation for at least 20 minutes.

Run

If you don’t have a lot of time for activities, but your dog still has a lot of pent-up energy to get rid of, a run is an excellent option. It enables both you and your dog to get that much-needed physical activity, while also burning energy off far quicker than you would with a walk. A half-hour run in the sun is plenty.

Conclusion

A Shockerd’s day can be pretty ruff when you don’t provide them with the stimulation they require. If you want to keep man’s best friend happy and healthy, then remember to provide an equal balance of mental and physical stimulation. Food puzzles and trips to the dog park may be all it takes to give your pup a happy and healthy life that’s entirely satisfying for you both.