Activities For Toy Fox Beagles
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Introduction
The Toy Fox Beagle is an amazing mix of two hunting dogs so whatever you choose to do with your pup, keep this in mind. They love to hunt. The Beagle is a scent hound while a Toy Fox Terrier is a sight hunter so what you have is a sight and sound hunter. However, maybe you are not into hunting. That’s okay too because there are other activities that you can do with your furry friend that uses those abilities as well. Some of these are listed below.
Earth Dog Trials
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Any Day
Cheap
Normal
1 - 2 hrs
Items needed
rat or other prey
treats
leash
collar
Activity description
Earth dog trials use the scenting abilities of your Beagle while also triggering that digging and pawing behavior all dogs seem to enjoy. The concept of earth dog trials is simple. Your dog just has to find the prey hidden in a shallow den in the dirt, dig in, and alert their human by barking. The prey, which is typically a rat or another type of rodent, is safely inside a cage so the dogs cannot hurt the animal. The tunnel is manmade and can be 20 to 30 feet long with three 90 degree turns which may include dead ends with scented bedding. The dog has to find the prey and “work the prey” for 90 seconds, which includes scratching, digging, and barking to alert their owner.Â
Step
1
Meet the prey
Let your dog get up close and personal with a rat, which is what is usually used as prey. This does not mean to just give your dog a rat to play with. No, it should be in a cage for both the rat and your dog’s protection. Let your pooch sniff the cage and try to get it. When your dog growls or barks at it, give Fido a treat. Any signs of aggression toward the rat should be praised and treated. Do this for 15 minutes per day for about a week.
Step
2
Following the scent
Create a scent trail with rat droppings and fur in the yard leading to the cage hidden in a bush or behind something in the yard. Give your dog a treat when they find the cage. After they do that several times, you can dig a den and put the earth dog inside for your furry friend to find. Keep it short at first, making it more difficult until it is about 30 feet long with some twists and turns to resemble the official den at an earth dog trial.
Step
3
Getting tested
The first time you take Fido to an earth dog trial, you will have to be introduced to the prey and be tested. The judge may try to confuse or distract your dog to test their ability to focus. Make sure you continue to praise and encourage your pooch no matter how many times they do it right, so they are encouraged to continue the hunt.
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Hound Trailing
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Any Day
Moderate
Hard
1 - 2 hrs
Items needed
treats
collar
leash
Activity description
This dog sport started in 18th century Cumbria, which is a county in Northwest England but is now practiced in all of England as well as many states in North America. The most common dog breed that competes in hound trailing is the Fox Hound, which is why your Toy Fox Terrier is going to be fabulous at this sport. While that may seem a bit like stereotyping, almost all hounds and terriers are good at trailing. However, this is not just your average trail; this is a 10-mile trailing hike, so you and your pooch need to be in pretty good shape to do this activity. Actually, you will just be standing there cheering on your furry friend while they do all the work because this is an independent sport for dogs only.
Step
1
Hide and seek
Playing hide and seek with your furry friend is the first step in this sport. Although you need to start when they are as young as possible, they have to be able to follow commands, and they cannot actually enter a hound trailing competition until they are over one year old. Have someone hold your dog back while you go and hide. Make sure you have a treat with you and call or whistle to your pooch to get them to look for you as your helper releases your dog. When you are found, make sure you praise your pup and give them a treat.
Step
2
Hit the trail
Keep playing and making your hiding spot further away and more difficult each time. When your dog seems to be ready to join in on the hound trailing games, try some amateur trailing activities with other dogs to get your dog used to it. Visit some neighborhood activities to make sure your pooch is ready to handle a crowd. Then, let your pooch hit the trail.
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Field Trials
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Any Day
Moderate
Hard
1 - 2 hrs
Items needed
treats
leash
collar
Activity description
Many people believe that hunting field trials are only for Retrievers, Pointers, or Setters; however, Hounds and Terriers are good at this as well. After all, a Fox Terrier is a true hunter and will hold his own next to another breed any day of the week. And Beagles actually have their own field trial competitions. There may not be specific field trial competitions for your breed of dog, but that should not stop you from teaching your pooch to do field trials. In fact, there are many hybrid or designer breed clubs that hold field trial competitions of their own. In this activity, your dog goes up against a group of other dogs chasing a rabbit or other critter and alert you, but they are not allowed to hurt the animal in any way.
Step
1
Learn the commands
Both you and your furry friend need to learn the commands used in field trials. They are mostly basic obedience commands, but there are some that are specific to this sport that you will need to learn and then teach to your dog before even thinking about starting to train for the sport.
Step
2
Meet the pack
Your furry friend will need to get used to working with other dogs, so you should make sure your pooch is socialized well. Start out by visiting your local dog parks and letting your pup get acquainted with other four-legged fur balls. Then, you will be ready to start introducing Fido to other dogs that will be working at the same field trials.
Step
3
Nervous but proud
The first time you see your furry friend running off with the pack to catch a rabbit, you will probably be like a nervous parent sending your child off to school. However, once you see how much fun your little buddy is having with their friends, you will be so proud. And, if they happen to win a competition, good for them. If not, who cares? As long as you are both having fun that is all that matters.
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More Fun Ideas...
Swimming
Does Fido love the water? Find a good dog-friendly lake or beach in your area and let them swim. If they are new to this sport, you should use a doggy life vest and maybe even a harness and leash to be on the safe side. If you cannot find a beach where your pooch is welcome, maybe you can get a pool or see if you can find a public dog pool around you.
Biking
If you like to ride your bicycle, there is no reason why your pooch cannot join you when you go. There are special dog leashes and harnesses that you can attach to your bike, so your pooch can safely run next to you without getting tangled up in the chain or tires.
Conclusion
Whatever activity you want to do with your dog, make sure your pooch is healthy enough to enjoy them. Make a visit to the veterinarian for a fur baby physical before getting into any strenuous sports just to be safe. While you're at it, get yourself a physical to make sure you are up to the challenge as well. After all, your furry friend probably doesn’t know how to perform CPR.Â