Activities For West Of Argyll Terriers

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Introduction

The West of Argyll Terrier is a sassy, independent and fun-loving dog that will slot into your home life beautifully. They have a long lifespan, meaning you have more time to provide them with fun activities, and they have an independent streak that will see them get into all sorts of mischief. The West of Argyll Terrier is a mixture of the West Highland White Terrier and Beagle, meaning they are a small dog with a lot of energy and a keen nose. If you are struggling to come up with ways to keep them happy and stimulated, these activities below could help. 

Bark Training

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0 Votes
Any Day
Free
Hard
10 min
Items needed
Tin can
Coins
Toy
Treat
Activity description

Given how small the West of Argyll Terrier is, they don’t look like your average guard dog. However, their senses and ability to tell you when someone is near your property will surprise you. The West of Argyll Terrier can bark a lot, which may not be that much of a big deal if you don’t have neighbors, but could be if you do. Instead of letting their barking become a cause for concern, you can get on top of it with bark training. Bark training is a hard activity but is one that can have a lot of benefits. What’s more, it doesn’t cost a dime, you can do it in any weather, and you only need a treat, toy, tin can, and some coins. 

Step
1
Get to the source
The first step is to identify the reason why your pooch begins to bark and guards your property. Is it people walking along the footpath at the front of your house? Is it the mailman slipping letters through the mail slot? Once you know what’s causing them to bark, see if you can remove those triggers. You may find you’re able to stop the barking without all too much effort.
Step
2
Cause a distraction
If you aren’t able to remove your dog’s bark trigger, you can try to override it. Cause a disturbance using a tin can with a few coins in it as soon as they begin to bark. They will have no idea what the sound is and will stop. Before long, they will associate that terrible tin can noise with their barking!
Step
3
Treat and toy
A dog can’t bark if their mouth is full. When you know your dog is bound to begin, such as when the mailman is walking up to your front door, give them a treat or toy. Do this every day, and they will come to expect something if they don’t bark.
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Treasure Hunting

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Rainy Day
Cheap
Normal
30 min
Items needed
Toys
Treats
Activity description

Both the Terrier and Beagle parents have a keen nose, so you can bet that your West of Argyll Terrier will too! Appeal to this trait with a treasure hunt in your home when it’s too wet to go outside. All you need is a few toys and treats, 30 minutes to spare, and a bored, eager pooch! A treasure hunt can also be a way in which to spend more time with your dog, practice recall and help them learn new skills. You can also play it outside if the weather is a bit nicer, but the rooms in your house are the perfect areas for hiding items! 

Step
1
Choose items
If you plan on using a mixture of toys and treats, ensure they are things your dog will want to find. There’s no point hiding anything they won’t be too fussed to dig out! Make sure the treats or food are relatively big, and if you are hiding any perishables, write down where they are in case your dog can’t find them, and you don’t remember where you put them.
Step
2
Hide items
Make sure the food and toys you hide are not too difficult to find. Poke corners and ends out in plain sight, and place items in areas your dog tend to frequent. If you hide things too well, your pooch will be unlikely to discover everything without a little help.
Step
3
Hunt
Take your dog around your house, using a passionate voice to help them track down the items. Help them find the first few and, given how intelligent they are, your dog won’t need all too much help with the rest. A treasure hunt can help fill up a rainy afternoon while offering the opportunity for you to spend a lot of time with your dog doing something fun.
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Paddling Pool Fun

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0 Votes
Hot Day
Cheap
Easy
1 hr
Items needed
Toys
Towel
Treats
Pool
Activity description

On a hot summer’s day, trying to stimulate your dog is quite tricky. You don’t want them to overheat by getting them to do a lot of physical activity, but you also want them to have something fun to do without it being expensive. That’s why a paddling pool can be an excellent summer’s day activity. Gather toys, treats, a towel, and set your pool up somewhere outside in the shade. You can then spend at least an hour playing in the water with them, enabling them to stay cool but have fun too. There are many games you can play in a paddling pool as well! 

Step
1
Set up pool
Set your paddling pool up somewhere sheltered, then add enough water so that it’s at the top of their legs but won’t have them struggling to keep their head above it. Add a bit of warm water, so it’s not ice-cold. It’s also helpful to put the pool away from things you don’t want to get wet – such as your home, car, and washing line.
Step
2
Choose toys and treats
If you want your dog to romp in the water but do so with purpose, then include plenty of treats and toys. You can throw waterproof chew toys into the water for your dog to chase, but you can also add apple slices (without the seeds), chunks of watermelon, and carrots for them to dive for and eat.
Step
3
Play
Throw some treats and toys into the water, get your togs on and play! There’s no reason why you can’t enjoy the water alongside your furry friend either. Both of you can cool down and enjoy splashing about in your paddling pool. It sure beats sweltering in the sun, that’s for sure!
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More Fun Ideas...

Dog Park

Unfortunately, many West of Argyll Terriers will prefer their own company to that of other dogs. However, if you adopt one as a puppy and begin socialization with other dogs right away, you may find they enjoy playing and spending time with other pooches. To get those crucial social skills, schedule in trips to the dog park. They will love the opportunity to run around and burn off energy. 

Bubbles

West of Argyll Terriers tend to have a lot of energy, and they also like things that move! Combine the two and get the bubble mixture out. Once you blow large bubbles that flow through the air, your dog is bound to jump around and try and get them. Within 10 minutes, they will be tuckered out and ready for a long nap. 

Conclusion

A West of Argyll Terrier makes an excellent companion pet – even if they prefer the company of you instead of other pets. They are high-energy, make good guard dogs, and keep you on your toes when it comes fun activities. If you take the time to come up with some fun activities to keep their body and mind active, they will furever be grateful.