Activities For Wire Fo-Tzus

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Introduction

If you own a Wire Fo-Tzu, which has Shih Tzu and Wire Fox Terrier parents, then you will be well aware of their tricky personality. As puppies, and even within the same litter, you can expect a mixed bag of personality traits. Some Wire Fo-Tzus will be lazy and docile, while others will be full of energy with not a lot of inclination to put on their listening ears. Both types, however, do better in homes with adults as opposed to young children. If the complex nature of your Wire Fo-Tzu has you scratching your head regarding things to do with them, then perhaps this list below could help.

Fetch

Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Cheap
Normal
30 min
Items needed
Toys
Treats
Activity description

An activity that burns off a lot of your dog’s energy in a short space of time is going to be your preference, which is why fetch makes an excellent option. Even though it doesn’t take a lot of effort or time on your part, with only half-hour sessions, your pooch gets to have a lot of fun in the process. They can chase their toy, learn how to bring it back, then get a treat for their efforts. What’s more, you can play it in any weather - indoors or outside - and enjoy the affordable price tag that comes with it.

Step
1
Throw
Throw your Wire Fo-Tzu’s toy and encourage them to bring it back by repeating those words over and over. Even if they don’t bring it back, it drills into their mind what they will hear when you want them to do it. Make sure the toy you throw is something your pooch wants to chase then bring back to you in the first place!
Step
2
Treats
If your dog doesn’t immediately bring the toy back to you, you can coax them back to you with one of their favorite treats or snacks. Throw their toy, tell them to bring it back, then hold up the food while using a high-energy voice. If they come back without their toy, go over to it and put the treat by the toy and use your trigger words ‘bring it back.’
Step
3
Reverse method
If you throw your dog’s toy and they don’t return it, then you can try the reverse method. Get another toy and throw it in the opposite direction. Make sure it’s one your dog loves. They will then run past you to get it, instilling the notion that they must come back to you to get a toy. Once they learn this method, you can stop throwing the second toy, removing the first one from their mouth as they fly past!
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Dog Park

Popular
0 Votes
Sunny Day
Free
Easy
1 hr
Items needed
Toy
Waste bag
Leash
Activity description

The Wire Fo-Tzu can end up to be not the most friendly dog with other pets, especially if they grow up alone. If you want your Wire Fo-Tzu to be as social as possible, then you need to bring them to the dog park as soon as you adopt them. Take the opportunity on a sunny day to grab a leash, toy, and waste bag, then spend the next hour playing with your dog in a new environment. The social interaction and exercise on a regular basis not only takes minimal effort on your part but will benefit them as they mature.

Step
1
Choose a park
The first time you go to the dog park, you’re not going to know how your dog will react. You could have a fair idea, but no one knows for sure. Therefore, put as many security measures in place as possible by choosing the best dog park near you. The best one has fencing like Fort Knox and sets aside a small area for tiny dogs to play and meet each other. It might not be the closest to your home, but it will be the best for your Wire Fo-Tzu’s requirements.
Step
2
Meet and greet
Before you open the enclosure door and let your dog run in, take some time to introduce them to their environment. Walk them around the enclosure, let them sniff the new smells, and help them to meet other dogs safely on the neutral ground. Only once you’re sure of your dog’s behavior should you let them into the park to play with others.
Step
3
Play
If all goes well, you can let your dog into the play area, give them a toy, and let them play to their heart’s content for an hour or so. Remember, always supervise your Wire Fo-Tzu’s play session and ensure they are getting on well with other dogs. After an hour, you can then return home with a tuckered pooch who will happily return the following week.
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Agility Course

Popular
0 Votes
Any Day
Expensive
Hard
1 hr
Items needed
Leash
Treats
Agility items
Activity description

Even though the Shih Tzu is more of a lap dog than a competition one, the inclusion of the Wire Fox Terrier makes them more than suitable for agility training. What’s more, this all-weather activity will prove to be quite fun for the whole family - even if your pooch struggles to learn the ropes in the beginning. All you need is a facility offering a course, one to practice on at home, a leash, and treat. Your dog can then learn a set of skills they need to be at their best on the agility course. It might cost more than your average dog activity, but an agility course will be a firm favorite activity in your household in no time.

Step
1
Course type
The first thing you need to do is decide what type of agility course you want your dog to do. Do they have any experience? Are they more adept than other dogs? You can choose from a range of experience levels and types to suit your dog. If they have never done anything like it before, a beginner class will suffice.
Step
2
Run the course
With the help of an experienced trainer, you can help your dog run through the course, getting used to the chutes, tunnels, weave poles, and other agility items. Ensure you have plenty of treats on hand to coax them through and keep them on a leash for the duration of the course.
Step
3
Practice
Once you successfully run the agility course at a facility, you can then set one up at home for practice. While it might not be the same - opting for items you have around the house instead of purpose-built equipment - it will get your dog into the habit of listening to your calls and following orders. The whole activity will be beneficial for their physical and mental needs.
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More Fun Ideas...

Run

If you’re not much of a runner, then you will be pleased to know that your Wire Fo-Tzu isn’t either. However, they still benefit from a short trip outdoors now and again. Set aside 15 minutes for a neighborhood jog. Keep your steps short, so your pooch can keep up, then loop back around to your home. It might only be a short run, but it will be all you and your dog need.

Laser Game

The Terrier has a high prey drive, which means they are more suitable in a household with no other small creatures like rabbits or hamsters. If you want to ensure they get a proper workout, however, buy a laser. You can then shine it on the floor around your home and have your pooch run after it. It will work well for tiring them out.  

Conclusion

When you own a Wire Fo-Tzu, it’s impawtant to keep them out of trouble as much as possible. They love to run, chase, and bark, and the sooner you can provide them with distracting activities, the better it will be for your household’s sanity. Try out a few of these above and see how you get on. You may find that a trip to the dog park, a run, laser games, or even agility course become their favorite thing to do.