Activities For Welsh Sheepdogs

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Activities For Welsh Sheepdogs

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Introduction

Do you own a Welsh Sheepdog? If you so, you are among a relative few people who have the pleasure of owning one of these landrace dog breeds. Developed through adaptation instead of specific breeding practices, and not considered "pedigreed" as are some canine species, this rare canine is known as the Welsh Sheepdog. It has remained a working dog throughout the over 800-year history of it. The Welsh Sheepdog is highly skilled at herding and tracking, making your choice of activities for this sweet-tempered animal a bit different than those of other varieties of dogs. Unless you are already utilizing your pooch in these tasks, you'll likely need some ideas to keep them happy and content. Allow us to give you some cool activity ideas for you and your precious pet.

Home Agility Training

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Cheap

Normal

1 - 3 hrs

Items needed

Collar or harness

Leash

Variety of obstacles

drinking water

Activity description

Home agility training can be so much fun for both you and your dog. Your Welsh Sheepdog has some specific skills and talents with which you will need to contend; these include herding, tracking and running. Your precious pup is not only energetic but also quite intelligent, making it imperative that you keep them occupied and exercised to avoid those annoying and destructive behaviors which can develop from boredom. Agility training is available at a commercialized track, or you can construct one of your design at home. The latter option will allow you to exercise and train your dog anytime you like with less expense than registering and paying for formal classes which may not meet at times which are convenient for your schedule and the cost of which may not fit into your budget. If you possess a large open area and a creative imagination, you can design and construct a fun and functional training area in your backyard.

Step

Research your course design

Boot up your computer and search online for agility training facilities and check out what they are like, what types of obstacles and challenges are in them and see how to run the course.

Step

Make your list

Using the above notes, create a list of items that are needed to develop the unique agility course for your exceptional pup. Don't forget that you don't have to purchase all of the components. Hopefully, you will have some things around the house, or in the garage or shed, for use on your course. Be sure to include items to jump, circle or climb (or maybe even swim).

Step

Let the fun begin

Now comes the fun part. You have planned out your course, purchased or otherwise secured your obstacles, and now, you’re ready to put it all together. Run your dog through the course at least several times a week and time them. Watch how quickly they will run through all of the obstacles in shorter lengths of time. Watch how rapidly the dog can manage the challenges and be prepared to make changes to adjust the barriers. Are you ready for lots of fun, fun, fun as you run and guide your dog through the course?

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Rally Obedience

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Moderate

Normal

1 - 3 hrs

Items needed

Collar

Leash

Activity description

Obedience training of and by itself is an excellent exercise for both your dog’s physical well-being as well as their mental well-being. Unlike regular obedience classes, rally obedience (also called rally-O) is a course consisting of 10 to 20 stations at which you and your dog will stop, obey the posted sign command and then proceed to the next station. Neither a judge nor teacher gives instructions, and you are permitted to guide and instruct your dog as you walk the course. Being a relatively new organized canine activity of less than 10 years duration, there are increasing sanctioning entities for it, beginning with American Kennel Club, World Cynosport (formerly Association of Pet Dog Trainers), Canine Work and Games (C-Wags), Canines and Humans United (CHU), United Kennel Club (UKC) and Swedish Working Dogs Club (SBK). This movement has birthed other organizations, and those entities increase every year. The competition has three levels of recognition: Novice, Advanced and Excellent with Australian National Kennel Council adding a fourth level of Masters. Novice is the only level which one can do the course with the dog on a leash. Price and availability vary by region, but both the cost and the travel distance are well worth it as your dog will get some much-needed exercise for their body and opportunities to work those highly intelligent minds.

Step

Search for Rally-O locations

Check your phone book or boot up that computer and search online for the Rally Obedience locations near you. Compare the distance from your house, prices to utilize and any requirements of you; for example, immunization records, health records, and dog licenses. Your costs will likely vary a bit as will the schedule into which you and your pet will fit. Choose the facility that works the best for you and your dog.

Step

Determine the distance from your home to each of the facilities to see if it is an acceptable drive. Weigh the cost of the travel with the price of registering your dog to see which location fits your budget and driving choices. The facilities will likely also vary in the types of rally courses provided, and you’ll need to consider those differences as well. If your dog is a novice, you may lean toward a facility which offers a more elementary course for beginners, moving up the line to other classes as your dog adapts and learns.

Step

Drive, register and have fun

Here is the fun part! Collar and leash your precious pet and watch them dance with joy, knowing that something exciting is coming. Put your pet into your car and drive to your chosen location. Register your dog, produce the immunization and health records, license information and anything required for registration. Now it's time to put on those comfy walking shoes and get ready for some excitement and pleasure with your best furry friend.

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Tracking or Herding

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Moderate

Normal

1 - 4 hrs

Items needed

Collar or harness

Leash

Activity description

Tracking activities, whether practice or training, are an optimal way to exercise the natural hunting and tracking skills of your dog. This activity is a type of canine search and rescue and gives both you and your dog all the practice and experience needed to fill those search and rescue shoes in your future. One of the encouraging things about tracking events is that a dog only needs to complete one course to earn a title, unlike obedience events which require completion of 3 courses before obtaining a designation. Your dog earns awards like Tracking Dog (TD), Tracking Dog Urban (TDU), Tracking Dog Excellent (TDX), Variable Surface Tracking (VST) and Champion Tracker (CT). While this activity might be a little more costly than some, the benefits of bonding and watching your dog use their innate skills is priceless. Are you someone who likes to hike or spend time outdoors, try these tracking events with your dog. It can be loads of fun and gives you bundles of bonding time with your beloved pet.

Step

Locate facilities near you

Check out the local facilities in your area which offer tracking activities. Check the phone book, your veterinary professional’s office or your groomer for names and recommendations of these event venues. Make some phone calls or visit the site and get some information. Be sure to note the surroundings, asking questions about how the process works and the length of time required for each event. Get some prices and find out the requirements for you and your dog; like immunization and health records, licensing, canine and human age limits.

Step

Gather required records and equipment

Take care to gather all of the required documents about your pet and yourself. These will likely include some sort of picture identification of yourself, immunization and health records, dog licensing as well as any other equipment required by the facility to complete the exercise. This equipment may vary depending on the tracking focus and the locale of the search.

Step

Drive and register

Collar and leash your dog. Enjoy the excitement exhibited by just putting on the collar and leash. Isn’t it amazing how dogs “just know” that something good is coming? Now, you get to drive to the tracking venue with your best furry friend at your side. Register your dog and pay your fees if you haven’t already done so, being sure to give them all of the required documents about your dog and yourself. Put on your walking shoes and get ready to accompany your dog while they demonstrate the tracking skills so exceptional to the canine species.

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More Fun Ideas...

Flyball

Flyball for dogs consists of the dog running the length of the course, tapping a lever or button to release a tennis ball. The dog then catches and retrieves the tennis ball and brings it back to the starting point.

Beach Walk and Swim

What could be more fun and relaxing? A warm, sunny day, soft, warm sand and clear water, gently washing the shore - and whom better to share this experience with than your favorite furry friend?

Hide and Seek With Toys

Your Welsh Sheepdog is a tracker at heart. They love to search and retrieve virtually anything. You can get as creative as you like with those hiding places because your dog is that good!

Retrieval Games

There are probably hundreds of various types of retrieval games which you can play with your dog, and most likely hundreds more that you can use your imagination to create. Since they are trackers and herders, we can think of no better way to keep those skills honed and well-tuned.

Conclusion

So, now that we have discussed some creative fun things to do with your Welsh Sheepdog, where do you start? If you’re away from your beloved pet all day at work, we recommend incorporating one of these things into your daily routine to prevent the boredom that accompanies being left alone. Some of those annoying and destructive behaviors that develop can be eliminated or reduced by spending quality time with your pet every day. Enjoy the time you spend with your pet and do something from which you both can benefit.