Activities For Standard Irish Wolf Schnauzers
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Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
The Standard Irish Wolf Schnauzer stands out among all dogs due to their giant size and distinguished features. This designer breed is meant to be a steady walking and jogging companion and requires a lot of space and between 60 - 90 minutes of exercise to keep them happy and healthy. Activities for Standard Irish Wolf Schnauzers need to help them burn off excess energy, but also be gentle on their joints and bones. Because they are so large, these dogs are at risk for damaging their joints and tendons if they are required to do jarring and repetitive activities. Standard Irish Wolf Shnauzers are also smart and need to be challenged mentally as well as physically.
Obedience Competition
Popular
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Any Day
Moderate
Normal
30 min
Items needed
Leash
Dog treats
Props or obstacles
Activity description
Obedience competitions are some of the best activities for Standard Irish Wolf Schnauzers because they focus on impulse control, concentration, and mental prowess. If your pup has inherited the stubbornness of the Standard Schnauzer, obedience competitions will give you and your dog fun goals to reach while learning how to work together and communicate. Competing in obedience takes many hours of work together, but the bond and trust you build through this process will ensure that you and your dog have a great relationship. Learning from trainers who understand the unique characteristics of Irish Wolf Hounds and Giant Schnauzers will help you gain the confidence and understanding to work closely with your unique dog.
Step
1
Find a trainer
If you are going to compete in obedience competitions successfully, you need to find the right trainer. Your Standard Irish Wolf Schnauzer is smart and ready to learn, but they may have a stubborn streak. Using heavy-handed techniques may work against you instead of creating the results you want. A trainer who understands your dog can help teach you the training techniques that will improve your relationship with your dog and guide you on the path to your first competition.
Step
2
Practice more than you think
Basic obedience classes are just the start toward competing. You'll need to work with your dog each day to hone the skills, build your relationship, and develop a trusting bond. Make sure you don't practice for more than 30 minutes at a time. You can squeeze in training time after playtime or before meal-times. Make sure you end each session before your dog gets frustrated and end on a good note. Use your trainer's suggestions and work on skills that may come up in competition.
Step
3
Time for competition
When you've gone through several rounds of training and are feeling confident, it's time to enter your dog in an obedience competition. Most competitions will have a novice class for dog and handler pairs like you, who are just starting out. These classes are less pressure and great for testing out how well you and your dog are progressing and give you a few ideas to work on for next time. Obedience competitions are also a great place to find inspiration in other dog and owner pairs who are farther along.
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Swimming
Popular
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Hot Day
Moderate
Normal
30 min
Items needed
Floating dog toy
Towel
Treats
Activity description
In the hot months of summer, one of the best activities for Standard Irish Wolf Schnauzers is swimming. Not only will going for a dip keep your sweet dog cool but going for a swim will be easy on their joints while helping them get a good amount of exercise. These dogs are natural born swimmers, but they might need a little help and patience to get comfortable jumping in. After an initial introductory phase, swimming might become your dog's sport of choice during the long, dog days of summer.
Step
1
Introduction
The fastest way to make a dog afraid of water is to force them in. Swimming is a natural instinct, but it's important to let them ease in. Start by walking to the edge of the water and encouraging them to step in with you. A lake, pond, or creek with a shallow section is the best spot for this. You can toss a stick or toy a little way out for them to go get. Give them plenty of praise for stepping out into the water. Soon they will see how much fun splashing in the water can be.
Step
2
Swimming lessons
If your Standard Irish Wolf Schnauzer is still a puppy, you can pick them up and slowly lower them into the water while still supporting them. They should start moving their legs like they are swimming even before they enter the water. Hold them up and let them get the hang of the doggy paddle. Eventually, you can decrease your support until they are swimming on their own. If your dog is bigger, try to throw their ball a little farther out each time until they get the confidence to swim out to it. Give them lots of praise.
Step
3
Summer swimmers
After your dog has had enough "swimming lessons" you may have a hard time keeping them out of the water during the summer. Make it a point to take them to summer swimming holes on a regular basis during the hottest days of the summer. Playing in the water will help them stay strong and fit even when it's too hot to jog. Swimming will reduce strain on their joints and build up their strength for other activities. Take advantage of hot summer days with your dog and add swimming into your routine as much as possible.
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Rally Competition
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Any Day
Moderate
Normal
1 hr
Items needed
Treats
Obstacles
List of rally commands
Activity description
If you and your Standard Irish Wolf Schnauzer are getting a little bored with your obedience training, you can up the excitement by joining a rally team. Rally is a fast-paced course that requires dog and owner pairs to run through a course of stations requiring them to perform a specific skill as fast as possible. The team with the fastest time for all members wins. This sport brings together agility, obedience, and team sports for a fun, hilarious, and exciting experience. Rally is one of the most perfect activities for Standard Irish Wolf Schnauzers who love to run.
Step
1
Find a group
Your obedience trainer may already know of local rally groups near you. If not, you can go online and search for chapters in your community to join. If you live in a populated area, there may be several clubs to choose from. If you live in a more rural area and there aren't established clubs, don't worry. Rally organizers can help you find a trainer or start a group yourself. There are categories for mixed dog breed teams and for big and small dogs, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding a group that your dog can fit in with.
Step
2
Train for rally
While obedience is focused on precision, rally ups the ante by adding a time component. Not only does your dog need to perform the task, but they need to do it fast. This requires a different kind of training. You can get a list of common commands seen on Rally courses, and spend time working on your execution. Try asking for one after another with no break, and switch up the order so your pup is ready for anything that comes your way. Once a week, practice with your team. You can learn from each other and make sure you are ready for competition day.
Step
3
Rally competition
After a few months of practice, you're ready to enter your first Rally competition. Make sure to enter your team in the right class, and read through the rules so you don't get any penalties or disqualify your team through a mistake. For your first competition, you should be able to enter a novice class. Try not to put too much pressure on yourself and have fun. When it's your turn on the course, stay focused and remember that you practiced for this! Don't rush and give sloppy commands. If you stay focused on your dog you'll make it through. when your class is over, make sure to stick around and watch the more advanced teams for inspiration.
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More Fun Ideas...
Long Walks
If you have a Standard Irish Wolf Schnauzer, chances are you live in close proximity to lots of open space. Make it a habit to take your dog on several long walks each day to ensure they get the exercise they need.
Agility
Agility is one of the best activities for Standard Irish Wolf Schnauzers because it combines speed and exercise with concentration and leadership.
Conclusion
Activities for Standard Irish Wolf Schnauzers need to help burn off their ample energy and give them a mental challenge to keep them out of trouble. These gentle giants are always up for a walk around the property, a game of fetch, or a dip in the lake, but they also love to be curled up next to you when they are tired. Challenging them with obedience training or Rally competitions will help you develop a strong bond and learn to work together. At such a large size, you can't make a Standard Irish Wolf Schnauzer do anything, but you can teach them how to listen and follow your lead.