Activities For Smooth Foxie Doxies
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Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
Keeping your Smooth Foxie Doxie busy is the hardest part of owning this lovely hybrid dog. AÂ mix of Dachshund and Smooth Fox Terrier, their curiosity is overflowing, and they need to be busy to be happy. Long rambling walks where they can investigate every bush are perfect for this pup. Or maybe visit a friend who just happens to own a dog, too. Dogs make their own fun and just run and play without any structured game. Wet cold days can be a challenge, but there are plenty of indoor activities that you can keep them busy with. Teach them the color of their toys, and then you can send them on a mission to find the yellow bunny or the red bird. When they bring them back, give them a treat and send them off on another mission. A busy Smooth Foxie Doxie is a good dog.
Pawtrekking
Popular
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Sunny Day
Moderate
Normal
2 - 4 hrs
Items needed
Long leash
Water
First Aid Kit
Doggy Waste Bags
Activity description
Plan an outing for a day when it is fine and sunny, and you have all the time in the world to go trekking with your dog. Your Smooth Foxie Doxie will enjoy the car ride to the location of the walk, inhaling all the smells that float into the car as you drive along. If they are a bit low, get a booster seat so that they can look out the window and enjoy the ride. It is going to be a long day! Once you get walking, the day will just fly by as you enjoy the scenery and the companionship of your canine buddy. Take a camera along as you will want to take some photos of the places you see. A leash will keep your dog from racing off after some strange critter they see in the bush. Make sure you have plenty of water stops and a snack top up!
Step
1
Cruising to your destination
Remember that the ride is part of the experience. Roll the window down just a bit so your pup can enjoy the breeze. Once you get to the destination, make sure you get the leash on quickly, because if your Smooth Foxie Doxie gets a whiff of a small critter they may take off and leave you behind. Wandering along the trail, stop now and then to allow your dog to discover the scent trails. This is all part of the fun for them. Then wander on, through small streams, and up onto the ridges. There is no rush to get anywhere, so just enjoy the moment.
Step
2
Keep track of time
It can be surprising how much distance you can cover, just wandering along. But time your walk, so if you have been out for two hours, then you know it is going to take another two to get back! Keep the fitness of your dog and yourself in mind unless you want to end up carrying your pup. Work up to longer treks, don't just jump in and do a seven-hour walk on a tough trail on your first excursion out! When you reach the estimated time that you think is right, turn around and start back. Being practical will ensure the trek is enjoyable for both parties.
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3
Home again
After tramping back to the car, remember to praise your dog for being so good. Dogs love to know that they have pleased their human, so let them know. Then load everything into the car for the journey home. Once you get home, the final thing is to reward your dog with a nice bowl of special yummies before settling down for a well-earned snuggle and to look at the photos you have taken. A bit of editing here and there, and then you can post to social media so everyone can appreciate how you and your dog make a great team!
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Freeze Game
Popular
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Any Day
Free
Normal
30 - 60 min
Items needed
Treats
Activity description
This is a favorite game that is often revamped time and time again for the modern family. It makes a great game for both human and canine and includes training and fun. The game involves moving fast, dancing or whatever movement you choose, then suddenly stopping and freezing on the spot. This is a perfect activity to train your dog how to control themselves even when excited. Your dog may get overly enthusiastic when they start this game, almost to the point where they play nip you. If this happens, start again very quietly and teach them to take a single step then freeze! Then build up from there. This activity is good for your dog's focus and ability to control their excitement. When you become animated and then freeze, they have to emulate your actions. Do it together and it will be a lot of fun. This unique activity can be played indoors or out and there are no expenses to watch out for!
Step
1
Start slow and easy
If your dog is inclined to get excited, it will pay to start the game slowly and build up to an active game. Teach your dog to take a step or two with you then freeze. Show them what to freeze means. Give a treat when they get it. Next, move on and get a bit more active. If they get excited and start to mouth or nip you, stop the game and make them sit quietly. Then start again. In time, they will learn that you want them to sit quietly as a mouse and not to move. You have to have patience with your pooch for this game. But it will be worth it.
Step
2
Go faster and faster
After a brief rest, start again and go really crazy, dancing and moving around until your dog joins in with you. Then shout 'freeze' and stop or sit. Be patient as your dog learns the game and keep going. It is a great activity to get fit for your dog and yourself, so you are not wasting time! Dance and laugh around then freeze again. Dance, then freeze. Your dog will start watching you to anticipate the freeze call. Remember to give them a reward when they do well as rewards encourage positive behavior. It can be an energy-sapping game, so do allow your pup some breaks.
Step
3
How to end the game
After a while, your dog will have gotten the idea and will want to play forever! Slow the game down a bit to calm them down, then end the game clearly by saying 'game over'. Then go and sit down with a book so your dog gets the message. If you use this phrase each time, your dog will learn that you mean the game is truly over for now. If they try to get you to keep going, ignore their attempts and perhaps offer a cuddle or maybe an icy treat that takes ages to chew through. Let's face it, you both need a break!
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Food Puzzle
Popular
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Any Day
Moderate
Hard
30 - 60 min
Items needed
Food Puzzle Toy
Treats or snacks
Activity description
If your dog is going to be home alone for a while, this is the perfect moment to bring in the food puzzle toy. While your Smooth Foxie Doxie is only interested in the food, they will get a good workout in patience and persistence, along with problem-solving skills. Wild dogs spend a lot of their time finding food, scavenging here and there for most of the day. The food puzzle offers the modern day solution to boredom in dogs. It encourages your dog to chew and lick, which often has a calming effect on them. You can find a wide selection of food puzzle toys online and at your local pet store; prices can range from moderate to expensive depending on the complexity of the toy. These puzzles can be adjusted from easy to hard by just changing the size of the food you stuff them with. So next time you want a time-consuming toy for your dog, consider a food puzzle toy.
Step
1
The right toy for the job
Shop around to find the right sort of toy that you think will suit your dog's needs. You will want one that you can adjust to make it harder to get the treats out, one that is strong and sturdy and can withstand a hungry dog's attention! When you first give it to your Smooth Foxie Doxie, make it really easy to get the food out. Make the treats small and easy to be shaken out. Let your dog discover that this weird toy has food inside if they just shake, lick and roll it around enough!
Step
2
Toy time
If you are going out and cannot take your dog, then this is where the food puzzle toy comes into play. Stuff the toy with some large bits of food so it isn't as easy to get as when you first brought it out for your dog. You can even freeze the toy after stuffing, to make it a real challenge. Just before you go out, give your dog the toy, and leave them to work on it while you are gone. By now they know there is food in the toy, they just have to figure out how to get it out. Who knows, they may be still working on it when you come back. This activity prevents canine boredom and the destructive behavior it brings.
Step
3
Use when required
The food puzzle toy is a great mental tool to keep your dog thinking and helps them to focus on problem-solving. Once they have finished with the toy, clean it up and put it away for when you need it again. This fun device is a great distraction from boredom and helps to keep a lonely pet occupied. You can vary the treats you put inside, from fresh meats to dried kibble. Even a dab of yogurt combined with pieces of a small dog biscuit makes a welcome reward.
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More Fun Ideas...
Chase the 'Rabbit'
The Smooth Foxie Doxie is a natural chaser; anything small and furry that moves fast will get chased! Take advantage of this natural tendency to tire them out. Tie a soft furry toy on the end of a rope and flick the rope around like a flirt pole toy. Drag it along the ground, then flip it into the air as your dog tries to pounce on it. Let them win occasionally or they may get disheartened. After a few minutes of play, teach them to drop it and return to the game. Guaranteed to be fun for your pup!
Round up Time
Get close to a half a dozen or so medium to large sized balls and put them together in a 'flock'. Then train your dog to round up the "sheep". This will require a partnership between you and your dog to maneuver the ball flock from one side of the yard to the other. When one is moved, another ball makes a break for freedom and has to be rounded up! It will take good interaction and focus to get all the balls to move as one. It is a fun game that can be played many times.
Bonding Time
Living with your Smooth Foxie Doxie doesn't always have to be frantic or energetic. They do need a lot of exercise or activity, but they also require a close relationship with you. Give them snuggle time, talk to them and tell them a story. They won't understand a word you are saying, but they will love listening to you. Time spent together builds a strong and loyal relationship. Just sitting with them and stroking their coat is a reward for them. They love you and your attention is all that they crave!
Conclusion
Keeping your dog busy during the day makes for a nice quiet evening where your dog just wants to snuggle on your lap. Tire them out with small jobs they can help you with. Introduce them to the mail person and ask them to give the mail to your dog to bring in. Of course, you will have to train your dog to bring the mail in unharmed, you don't want them to 'open' the mail for you! They can pick up the pegs that you dropped on purpose when bringing in the washing. Have them pick the pegs up and put them in a special basket. Your dog will feel so important when they help you out. They can even help you bring in the groceries, one item at a time. You have to get creative because if you don't, your Smooth Foxie Doxie will and you may not like their alternative!