Top Activities For Sporting Lucas Terriers

Introduction

A fairly modern dog breed, the Sporting Lucas Terrier was developed primarily for hunting purposes. This breed was named after Major Sir Jocelyn Lucas, a politician and renowned breeder of Sealyham Terriers. Because of his interest in sporting terriers and hunting-type dogs, Lucas set out to create a breed that can work with a pack or independently without hesitation. After combining the Norfolk and Sealyham Terriers, the Sporting Lucas Terrier was eventually produced. This resulting dog is known for intelligence, trainability, perseverance and athleticism. Although they were intended to be used as a hunting and working partner, Sporting Lucas Terriers can also be well-suited to domestic living and companionship.

Indoor Scavenger Hunt

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Free

Easy

30 - 45 min

Items needed

Scented toy or treats

Activity description

The Sporting Lucas Terrier is, first and foremost, a hunting dog. In fact, this breed was specifically developed in order to become a companion to hunters. Although they are rarely used for this purpose in recent times, the breed retains their natural hunting instincts. The best way to help this breed live a life outside of hunting is to do activities that will help them utilize their senses, especially their scent. One of the most effective activities for the Sporting Lucas Terrier is an indoor scavenger hunt. Because of the breed’s high prey drive, they have a knack for tracking down various creatures and trophies. Through this activity, they get to put their hunting prowess to the test without having to leave the house.

Step

1

Choose a "treasure" to hide

The objective of the scavenger hunt is to prompt your dog to use their sense of smell in finding some hidden “treasures”. Therefore, it is imperative that the items you choose to hide will have a particularly strong scent that your pooch can pick up. Ideally, you should choose treats or a toy with scents that your dog is familiar with.

Step

2

Start the game

Get your dog familiar with the smell of the item that you have chosen to use for the game. Then, while your dog stays still, find a spot where you can hide the item. Start with a hiding place that is easy to find and ramp up the difficulty as the game progresses. You may even start to hide more than one item for your dog to find.

Scented Fetch

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Free

Normal

30 min

Items needed

Scented toy

Activity description

Another example of a great activity that will help rouse the Sporting Lucas Terrier’s hunting abilities is through a game of scented fetch. This activity is very similar to the classic dog game but with a cool twist – your dog will predominantly use their sense of smell in order to retrieve the item. This activity not only puts your dog’s tracking skills to the test by encouraging them to use their scent above all other senses, but it also allows them to reach their physical exercise requirements for the day. It’s great for both physical and mental stimulation. The best part? This game is easy to play and absolutely free!

Step

1

Choose a scented item to use

Much like in the scavenger hunt, it is crucial that the item you use for the scented fetch game has a strong and recognizable smell. This will help your dog locate the item without much difficulty. A toy with a strong scent is recommended. You may also choose a regular toy and keep it in a container filled with catnip. The catnip’s scent will eventually stick to the toy and can help arouse your pooch’s sense of smell.

Step

2

Play fetch

Go out of your backyard and start off by playing the usual fetch with your dog using the scented toy. This will aid in getting your dog familiar with the scent of the item. Then, when you feel like your dog is ready, you can begin the actual game of scented fetch. Cover the toy with a tissue paper or anything that will conceal its real appearance. Command your dog to sit and stay and, without your dog looking on, throw the toy some distance away. Then, ask your dog to “find it” and let them use their sense of smell in order to locate the toy.

Flyball

Popular

0 Votes

Sunny Day

Moderate

Normal

15 - 30 min

Items needed

Tennis balls

Flyball box

Hurdles

Treats

Activity description

In spite of their slightly small build, the Sporting Lucas Terrier is an incredibly energetic breed that needs plenty of exercise in order to stay satisfied physically and mentally. If you do not keep this active breed on their toes, they will likely end up being bored and left to their own devices. This can potentially lead to some annoying and often destructive behavior such as chewing and biting. One activity that your dog will benefit from is Flyball, a canine relay sport that involves jumping over hurdles to retrieve a tennis ball. Because of their high energy levels, athleticism and elevated prey drive, the Sporting Lucas Terrier has the potential to be a great Flyball competitor.

Step

1

Fetch and hurdles

The game of Flyball is basically a game of fetch but with the added challenge of going over hurdles to reach a box that shoots out the ball. Spend about 15 to 20 minutes a day playing regular fetch with your dog using a tennis ball. This will help them get acquainted with the ball and helps set the tone for the actual Flyball game. Whenever your dog successfully retrieves the tennis ball, give treats as a reward so that they can associate the act with something positive. Then, gradually introduce the hurdles to your dog. Set up a single hurdle and toss the ball over the hurdle. This will prompt your pooch to jump over the hurdle to fetch the ball. Do this repeatedly until your dog gets the hang of it. Eventually, you can start to add a second, third and fourth hurdle.

Step

2

Introduce the Flyball box

The most challenging part of training your dog in Flyball is teaching them how to retrieve the ball from the Flyball box. To start, load the box with tennis balls. Then command your dog to press on the box. This may take a few tries before your dog understands how the box works. If your pooch successfully presses on the box and retrieves the ball, give them a treat. Do this repeatedly until your dog gets used to the action. Then, add the hurdles into the mix to simulate an actual Flyball game.

Step

3

Join a Flyball club

In order to do the actual relay-type game of the Flyball, you will need to have other participants. The best course of action is to join a Flyball club. Here, your dog will be trained even further and will be able to try the real thing with multiple players. It’s a good stepping stone in case you want your dog to become competitive in Flyball in the near future.

More Fun Ideas...

Day Trip

When was the last time you took a day trip to visit your family and friends? Take your pooch out for a trip to meet up with your loved ones and spend an entire day full of fun and laughter with those who matter to you.

Make Doggy Friends

Socialization is an important part of a dog’s training and should not be neglected. On your regular walks with your pooch, make an extra effort to meet some doggy friends along the way. Places like the dog park are the ideal spots for seeing other dog owners with their furbabies.

Conclusion

A small dog that is valued for their abilities and athleticism, the Sporting Lucas Terrier is a well-rounded pet that can become a lovely addition to any home. In fact, they fit in almost any type of family because of their warm nature and self-confidence. For active people who are in search for the ultimate companion, Sporting Lucas Terriers may be the perfect choice.