Some Useful Tools To Help Your dog. Fulfill The Dogs Purpose.

Most behaviour issues stems from not meeting the dogs needs. Just about every breed of dog exists for a reason – to work, to be our tools. We don’t have a need for the dog anymore, life has become convenient. We don’t need the dog anymore. But we still need to fulfill their purpose for existing – our dogs are getting frustrated and leading to some crazy behavioural issues. Mental exercise – not stimulation – is what the dog needs. Something that they can do to blow out the lines mentally and physically.

And bear in mind – in things you do with your dog, there has to be a closure. Tracking a scented car endlessly will likely frustrate the dog. With flirt poles, the dog has to catch it as well.

Remote controlled cars can be amazing for dogs and serve so many breeds. Every breed exists for a reason. And so many breeds were created to chase something – herd sheep, hunt rabbits etc.

Tracking breeds (Beagle, Bloodhound, Coonhound etc). Buy some raccoon scent or urine or other, tie a rag to the car with a drop or two of urine. You can keep your dog on a longline, and have the dog track the car. All you need do is keep the car in front. Hang a pelt or something with scent in a tree and drive toward that tree. Drive past the tree, the dog should find the prize in a tree. It’s tricking the dog, but still effective. It’s an engagement exercise with their human that is giving the dog a purpose.

Hunting breeds have the need to chase too. And a flat out chase of a remote controlled car can be the ticket for you. Walks and runs really don’t have a purpose, there is no real mental workout. But that chase, that wears the dog down and satisfies that need to chase. It’s an engagement exercise as well.

Herding breeds. I’ve heard people say that they trained their dog to herd a remote controlled car. Herding breeds can definitely benefit from a good chase too. If you have a running breed, buy a fast moving car. Lots of videos on youtube to watch of dogs on RC cars.

Drones. Not only can we get dogs chasing a drone, but lets satisfy another group of dogs.

Bird dogs – Spaniels, Pointers etc. They could benefit from a drone with some bird scent. Park the drone in bushes, and let the dog find it. When you lift off, it’s a flushed bird. Put some feathers on the drone if you want.

Flirt poles are awesome. Larger version of the cat toy and likely the number one tool to save pitbull lives. Don’t buy one – get 6 feet of plastic pipe, some paracord and a lure blue or yellow. If your dog likes it, look out. Flirt poles are great training tools as well. You can teach impulse control with a flirt – which is basic manners. You can get that “prey drive” out of their system – and give them a time and place to do it. And they can be encouraged to chase the flirt with a bit of animal scent that can be bought from hunting stores.

Treadmill – powered or slat. Dogs need to focus to stay on a treadmill, and it can wear them down mentally.

Live animals and no, they don’t need to be harmed.

My ex’s Miniature Pinscher is a vermin killer and he was a hunter. Found mouse was a dead mouse. I would take him out to a gopher patch once a week and let him go. It’s not easy to catch a gopher, too many sentinels watching – and he never did make a kill. But he was so tired at the end from the hunt, I had to carry him back to the car. He was satisfied and I was giving him time and place to get his genetics out of his system.

Mark Dubose put out a wonderful video of his dog Oreo herding baby chickens. It’s not much of a chase, but that focus, it looks like Oreo is willing the chicks to move. It’s tiring to a dog, mentally draining – and it’s a job. The chicks aren’t afraid of him, they knew he had no intent to harm. Oreos confidence keeps the birds feeling safe and secure. A lady in my facebook group bought 3 quail and a small paddock. And her dog herds them from the outside and it tires him out. The birds and the dog will get to know each other at some point, and they can be together. It’s a job. Lots of videos of Aussies, Borders, Heelers etc herding chickens.

Create your own barn hunt at home. If you’re ok with mice or hamsters, or get some scent to mimic the smell. Pick up a couple of steel tubes that can be sealed on both ends and drill a bunch of holes. Put a mouse in the tube and hide it in your home or back yard, let the dog find it. It’s a job and it’s engaging for the dog.