Activities For Spanish Greyhounds
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Introduction
Spanish Greyhounds are a very lean and lithe breed of dog that excels at activities which involve tests of agility and endurance. The Spanish Greyhound was essentially bred to be a speed demon, so one ought to expect a member of this breed to be able just as fast and wild as greased lightning; these dogs are incredibly wiry and energetic, and can potentially wear out an unseasoned dog owner very quickly. However, if you're willing to get active and introduce your Spanish Greyhound to a number of activities that'll challenge them physically and mentally, you'll be able to help this wonderful breed tame their innate wildness and hone their innate gifts.
Incline Workouts
Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Cheap
Easy
45 - 60 min
Items needed
Dog Toys
Frisbee
Activity description
The first activity on our list is really more of a broad category of activities as opposed to being just one. A very simple, yet effective way to help your Spanish Greyhound, or Galgo as their known in their home country, get into shape is to have them engage in all sorts of normal activities but on an inclined surface. Going for a jog uphill or playing frisbee on a hillside is much more intense than engaging in either activity on a flat surface. Incline workouts don't really require any special equipment; just bring along the normal gear that you'd use on any other day out with your dog.
Step
1
Jogging uphill
When you first start jogging up an inclined surface, you'll notice that your calf muscles are working twice as hard as usual in order to compensate for the steepness of the terrain. The expression "feel the burn" may never become more apparent to you than during an inclined jogging session. Nevertheless, that added strain will prove to be beneficial in the long run, as your and your dog's leg muscles will become much stronger from jogging uphill.
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2
Inclined frisbee
Inclined frisbee is generally considered to be the first step towards getting your dog ready for strength training. However, even if you don't have any plans for introducing your dog to strength training activities, playing frisbee on an inclined surface is a great way to help your Galgo build up their strength, endurance, and dexterity.
Step
3
Keep away
Playing a game of keep away on a slanted surface can yield many results for you and your Spanish Greyhound as well; both of you will further develop your leg muscles while also learning how to stay agile and composed on uneven terrain. You'll definitely want to get a good stretch in before you and your dog go at it though, in order to avoid cramps and the like.
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Dog Puzzles
Popular
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Any Day
Moderate
Normal
30 min
Items needed
Dog Twister
Dog Treat Toys
Dog Shuffle Puzzles
Activity description
Spanish Greyhounds aren't one trick ponies (or more like one trick puppies in this case) as they can learn to do so much more besides running incredibly fast. Galgos are notoriously clever dogs who have a penchant for figuring out how to unlock dog fences and finding hidden toys, much to their owners' chagrin. The way we see it, why not help your Galgo learn how to use their wits and ingenuity in a more constructive manner? Dog puzzles were created for that exact purpose, as they can be modified to reward your dog's intelligence with a tasty snack or their favorite toy.
Step
1
Practice with the puzzle
Before you introduce a particular dog puzzle to your dog, we think you should spend some time getting to know it like the back of your hand. That way, when you're Spanish Greyhound is trying to figure the puzzle out, and they begin veering further away from the solution, you'll be able to instantly know when they need to make a course correction.
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2
Your dog's turn
No matter the complexity of the puzzle, your dog will need to spend some time thinking about which pieces they need to move, and in what order and direction, if they're going to get the treat you've placed inside. Dog puzzles are generally dog proof, funnily enough - in other words, Dog puzzles usually can't be broken apart by your dog through brute force. It may take some time for your dog to get the hang of this activity, but they can master it with time.
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Lure Coursing
Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Moderate
Hard
45 - 60 min
Items needed
Lure Coursing Equipment
Water
Nutrition
Activity description
The Greyhound family as a whole is considered have gained a reputation as being the world's foremost lure coursing champions; their sleek, slender, muscular builds help them excel in all kinds of activities that involve running for extended periods of time and making deft maneuvers at the drop of a hat. So naturally, Spanish Greyhounds would be excellent at an activity like lure coursing, in which a dog or a team of dogs are encouraged to chase after a small lure attached to a long lure line. You'll need to get a hold of some lure coursing equipment to try this activity out, which can cost about $100 to $500. Alternatively, you can seek out a lure coursing club. We suggest bringing plenty of water and nutrition to a coursing session to help your dog rehydrate and refuel.
Step
1
Warm up exercises
Stretching is a must for this activity; you'll need to help your dog stretch all four of their limbs before really getting into things so that they don't cramp up on your Galgo mid-chase. It's also not a bad idea to go for a light walk or jog around the coursing grounds to help get your Spanish Greyhound's blood flowing.
Step
2
Slow and steady
Spanish Greyhounds can become incredibly fast, but that's only after training their bodies to the point where their natural abilities have become much more refined. If your Galgo is only able to move at a moderately fast pace by the time you two first start trying this activity, move the lure at a pace that's slightly faster than your dog so that they can gradually build up their agility.
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3
Full speed ahead
After enough hours have been spent practicing at a slower pace, your Galgo will begin to start catching the lure with greater ease during every session. Once your Spanish Greyhound reaches the point in which practicing at a slower pace no longer provides a challenge for them, then you'll know that it's officially time to take the training wheels off. Encourage your dog to give it their all from now on, moving the lure at a pace that's just above what you think is the fastest speed your dog can move at until they're able to catch the lure again in time.
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More Fun Ideas...
Dock Diving
Dock diving is the last water based activity that we feel is really worth giving a try. You'll essentially be prompting your dog to play fetch in the water, as you'll ask them to dive into a body of water so that they can chase after an item you've just tossed into it. Balls and dog toys are great items to use for this activity, as they're very buoyant and easy for your dog to bite onto while they're swimming.
Boating
Boating is one of the activities that your Galgo will be able to try out once they've learned how to swim. This activity is very chill and laid back as it consists of taking either a paddle boat or a motorboat out to sea, then simply sailing or rowing through the ocean while enjoying nature's splendor. Once your dog knows how to swim, take them along with you on a boating trip so that they can get in on the action as well. Of course, both of you must wear life vests.
Swimming
Spanish Greyhounds aren't just graceful and nimble on land; the sleek shape of their bodies allow them to swim gracefully through the water once they've learned how. Once your Spanish Greyhound gets the fundamentals of swimming down, they'll also be able to participate in a wealth of water-based activities. We absolutely couldn't recommend this activity enough as it's a great way to beat the heat while also burning fat in the process.
Conclusion
Despite their names, Spanish Greyhounds aren't directly related to their world renowned English Greyhound cousins. However, we here at Wag! find it all the more incredible that Galgos can potentially learn to move with the same speed and grace that one might typically associate with an English or Irish Greyhound. The activities we've talked about throughout this guide will definitely help your Spanish Greyhound reach their full potential if they engage in them consistently, but they'll only be able to complete these fairly difficult activities with your kindness and support. So long as you serve as a constant source of motivation for your dog, they'll be able to not only complete the activities you introduce them to but will be able to do so with flying colors.