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
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.
Dog Park
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!
Homemade Food Puzzles
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.
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.