| It's been said that dogs have the same language capacity as a three or
four year old human. Vizslas are very intelligent and need to be
mentally stimulated as well as physically stimulated in order to be a
good family member. A lot of the games, activities, and toys listed
below will teach your dog to learn and give you a closer bond with your
dog. Remember that busy paws are happy paws, and a tired Vizsla is a
well behaved Vizsla.
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Ruby Bleu Bayou owned by Jonathan Peck
Rubber chicken, or worn out puppy? |
Vizsla Appropriate Toys:
Recommended interactive books, games, videos:
- Fun And Games With Dogs
Author: Roy Hunter
- More Fun And Games With Dogs
Author: Roy Hunter
- My Dog Can Do That! (board game)
Terry Ryan and Dr. Ian Dunbar
- Take A Bow Wow! (video)
Broitman & Lippman
- Dog Tricks -- Step-by-Step (book)
Authors: Zeigenfuse & Walker
(Howell)
- Dog Tricks Authors: Arthur J. Haggerty & Carol Lea Benjamin
- How To Teach An Old Dog New Tricks (book)
Author: Ted Baer
- Take A Bow Wow! (video)
- You Can Teach Your Dog Tricks, And Have Fun Too!
Nancy Winton
Activities With Your Dog:
- Dog Play has a
comprehensive list and description of activities to keep those paws
busy!
Exercises to burn off the endless Vizsla energy:
-
- Agility
- Biking* (with dog)
- Bubble Catching
- Cleaning Up The Room
- Fetch (a ball, toy or piece of hose)
- Flyball
- Flying Disc/Frisbee
- Go Find!
- Hide 'n' Seek
- Hiking (with your dog)
- Hunting
- Jogging (with your dog)
- Play Dates (with other friendly dogs)
- Running (with your dog)
- Swimming
-
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U-ACH Ch. Vizion of Russet Dawn, AX, OAJ, CGC
(aka Dawn, owned by Ginger and John Tierney) getting off
lead exercise |
Tricks To Teach Your Vizsla:
-
- Aah-Choo! (Bring the Kleenex)
- Answer The Telephone
- Balance & Catch The Biscuit
- Bang! (Play Dead)
- Bring The Dirty Clothes
- Bring the Leash
- Bring Your Dish
- Carry A Basket
- Crawl
- Dance
- Find The Keys
- Get The Remote Control
- Give Me High Five
- Hold A Flag
- Hold A Sign
- Jump Through A Hoop
- Jump Through (Or Into) Your Arms
- Jump Over Another Dog
- Jump Over an Obstacle
- Look Away
- Open The Door
- Open The Drawer
- Open The Refrigerator & Get A Soda
- Paw/Shake/Slap Me Five
- Paw Over Eye
- Pick The Flower
- Pose For The Camera
- Push A Stroller Or Cart
- Putting Away The Toys
- Roll Over
- Shake Off The Water
- Sit Up Pretty
- Sneeze
- Stand Up Against The Wall
- Take A Bow
- The Shell Game
- Touch Any Object With Dog's Nose ("targeting")
- Turn On/Off The Light
- Kong Stuffing
Kongs stuffed with treats are a favorite way for Vizslas to keep
themselves occupied when they are alone. The following recipes are from
The Kong Company
Banana Rama
1 fresh banana
2 Tbsp. wheat germ
1 Tbsp yogurt
1 Appropriate Kong Toy
In a bowl, mash up the banana. Then add wheat germ and
yogurt. Mash all ingredients together and use a spoon to add to Kong.
Freeze for 4 hours. Makes one serving for Medium Kong, double
ingredients for every Kong size that is bigger.
Aunt Jeannie's Archaeology Kong (from Jean Donaldson)
Layer One (deepest): roasted unsalted cashews
freeze dried
liver bits
Layer Two: dog kibble
cookies or liver
biscotti
Cheerios
peanut butter
dried banana
chips, apricots, and apples
Layer Three: carrot sticks
turkey or left
over tortellini or ravioli
Pack ingredients as tightly as possible into an appropriately sized
Kong Toy. The last item inserted should be an apricot or piece of
ravioli, presenting a smooth "finish" under the main opening.
Simple, Tried, and True
Using a knife or spoon, smear and fill the entire
inside cavity of an appropriate Kong Toy with peanut butter. Freeze
and serve.
Suggestions
for Busy Paws |
