Entlebuchers and Exercise

Letters from Owners

Too Much Exercise?

I don’t think there is such a thing as too much exercise for an Entle. The only exception I can think of is when it’s hot outside. My Entle behaves much better after a good long romp outside off leash. And I can tell by her behavior when she hasn’t had enough. My son hates it when I come home from work and say “You didn’t take Cinder to the park today, did you?!”

Colleen and Cinder

Exercising in the Heat

I live in Bakersfield where it’s quite hot in the summer. To answer your question about heat and Entlebuchers; I’ll give you a synopsis of our challenges:

Cinder is almost 2 years old so not as rambunctious as when she was a pup, but still needs vigorous exercise. So the heat just makes getting her exercise more challenging. We have to make sure to take her out to run first thing in the morning, every morning, to beat the heat (6 or 7 am) in the summer. Evenings after sundown are OK, but it’s still hot here (99 or 100 at 7 pm) so the evening walk is usually less exuberant. Overall, she seems to do fine, but is uncomfortable – especially this summer with the energy crunch. We’ve had to bump the A/C up to 85. So she is usually pretty lazy during the afternoons, preferring to lay on the tile floors. We avoid outdoors in the summer during the day. If we do take her out we always make sure there is shade and plenty of water for her to drink. And watch for overheating signs. In the summer she feels cheated when we leave her at home all the time and she tends to get antsy and a little out of control in the evenings if we don’t take her out because of the heat. So we have to play fetch in the house or some other game to expend that energy. In the fall, it’s still warm but her daily evening walks get more enthusiastic. In winter and spring exercise is no challenge, and also she can go anywhere with us. We take her in the car everywhere, grocery store, bank, etc

Colleen Thompson & Cinder

Always on the go

Although Bayla is a hit with people, I get lots of questions, but to date I have had only 1 serious inquiry on breeders & how to go about getting a puppy. The same person asked me for more ideas & places she could do research – she’s a Bernese breeder & not ready for another dog, but thought …maybe someday.

If Bayla, who could be considered well mannered, spends 20 – 30 minutes around or with any person/people- she scares them away from owning one with that enthusiastic greetings of bouncing, wiggling & kissing. As an observation, most people make comments like; “does she ever relax”, “does she sit still”, “is she always that busy”, “is she always moving”. Heaven forbid we’re in a boring place like the vet’s office waiting room… then it’s “are they all that talkative/verbal” When I want to get really strange looks, if I notice someone watching us, before they can ask any questions I interject: she isn’t normally like this, I ran/played with her for 45 minutes before we came here & that took the edge off her REAL energy level.

Joyce and Bayla

Things Entles need and enjoy

I have had a Buster Cube for 2 years now and my Entle Tanzer LOVES it. It is considered an educational toy and runs between $11. & $15., depending on which size you get. It is great for relieving boredom and is considered a form of mental stimulation for dogs (just reading from an ad for one). You fill it with dog food (maybe a handful at most) and it has internal compartments that release a piece or two as the dog rolls it around with their nose or paw. Tanzer really whacks at it, he has figured if he hits it against a wall or something hard, more pieces will fall out. It is not a chewable toy at all, very hard, durable plastic. I have tried other toys like this, but they are too easy, the food just comes right out and they don’t have to work for it. I take it with me on road trips and he usually plays with it off and on the whole time. Speaking of a Food Motivated Entle, Tanzer is right up there with the other vacuum cleaners…

KONG toys are good too. I have several kinds, and they last forever. One of my favorite styles are the ones with an open center, you can put peanut butter or ??? in it and they will lick it out, keeps them entertained. I keep a huge basket of “safe” dog toys on my outside porch and a few inside too, and “every” day my dogs take almost every single toy out to play with. I think it is good to keep lots of entertainment options in and outside for them; it reduces wear and tear on your shoes and furniture, yard, etc… Especially with a puppy in your future or if you have to leave a dog alone during the day, they can get bored.

Use caution with plush toys or toys that can be “eaten” such as tennis balls. Supervision is necessary with these as they can choke &/or swallow the squeakers or fluff which can sometimes result in stomach surgery. Many dogs love squeaky toys, you just have to put them away when you can’t monitor them.

Other things that make my life with dogs simpler, is the use of crates; I firmly believe in making sure they are comfortable with being in one, just makes life easier, (travel, trips to the vet when ill, stays at the vet, when people are afraid of dogs that are visiting you, when your house is for sale & being shown {like mine is now, anyone want to live in NM?}, when you don’t trust them to “not” eat your house while you run to the store, etc…) I have wire and hard plastic ones and use them equally. I also have a portable wire exercise pen, nice for travel and can accommodate several dogs.

Training books, videos and classes are essential for both of you, and make your relationship with your dog so much stronger.

Anyway, I went on way more than necessary. These are just things that make life a bit easier and more fun for you and your doggy or if you have multiple dogs like I do…

Senesa and Tanzer

Herding problems while exercising

Mountain biking with dogs is the way to go! We let our pup (11 months) run along with us while we ride our bikes, but we don’t leash him. We only ride on mountain biking trails where there are no roads. Plus, since the trails are unpaved, the surface is much easier on the dog’s body. But the other advantage of mtn biking trails is that there are obstacles that slow the bikes down but not the dog as much. If you have ever mountain biked with a decent trail runner (human), you will notice that their average speed is about the same as yours; you lose them on the downhills while they catch up to you on the uphills. So that bodes well for mountain biking with the pup. And since he’s not leashed, he can stop and sniff … run up and back … do things at his own pace, which is what our vet recommended for running dogs. We have also limited our trail riding with him to short distances and to cool days. We stop frequently and carry an extra water bottle just for him (he drinks more than we do on our rides).

And about the herding … yup that’s been an issue for us. Not only does he try to nip at our feet, but the howling noises that he makes sound like we’re torturing the poor guy. But once he gets it, he stops the herding and runs along with us looking very happy! In the past, we’ve endured up to 15 minutes of barking and herding saying “NO!” then “Yes, good boy!” as he transitioned from bad to good behavior a bizillion times! It wasn’t very relaxing. But last week, we were on vacation and able to ride with him 2 days in a row. We worked with him a lot, starting out by walking our bikes until he wasn’t barking, then later riding. By the second day, he was doing a lot better (maybe only 10 minutes of barking/herding). Yesterday, we rode with him here … and he was really good! He only barked a few times and that was only until we got going after stops. Otherwise he was a “good boy”. And he was BLASTING ahead on the trail … amazing speed! He would run ahead, then run back (he doesn’t like his pack to get out of sight!). We called him back a few times too … he had a really great time and still wanted to play fetch when we got home. BTW, this trail is only 3 miles long. There’s a longer (7 mile) trail at that park, but I think that’s a bit too long for him right now. He doesn’t know how to pace himself.

BTW, Razzle doesn’t demonstrate herding behavior in contexts other than biking, rollerblading, and cross-country skiing. He’s an angel to run with and he also knows voice commands for slowing down (and coming back). We’re hoping that the good ride yesterday was a breakthrough for biking! We love to have him with us and he certainly seems to love to do it, once he gets going. We’re in for several days of thunderstorms here in Michigan … hopefully by the time the rain stops, he will still remember how to be a good boy with the bikes!

Diane and Razzle

Night time toy idea

On Tuesday, Cricket fell in love. That evening, in an attempt to wear him out so that he’d be on best behavior for our dog-fearing dinner guest, Dan brought out my old, slightly flat volleyball. That poor thing is now the apple of Cricket’s eye.

We particularly like it because it’s mostly white, which means it’s hard to lose in our big dark yard at night. Since I’m not getting home from work until after full dark most of the time, that’s a real help – his tennis balls were a disaster, and the glow-in-the-dark ball wasn’t staying glowy for long. The other big plus for us is that we can motivate the ball without having to touch its muddy and dog-slobbery surface…a good solid kick is enough to get it (and Cricket) going.

We think Cricket likes it because it’s a “big boy” ball; he’s seen Arrow play with hers, and he wants to be just like mamma. He chases it, dribbles it with his feet, bonks it with his nose, picks it up, drops it and carries it back to us to start all over. It’s wicked cute, the way he proudly carries it in his little mouth. If I try to stop “too soon” he’ll pick it up and bonk me on the ankles with it.

Best of all, of course, is that play with this ball wears him out. He’s so focused on it that he won’t even “do his business” as long as it’s visible…I have to put the ball away and then take Cricket back out for a post-play potty break. (Indeed, we keep it hidden away in a closet lest he not do anything else at all.) He always seems to run fast, both after it and with it in his mouth, and he doesn’t take sniff breaks or slow, meandering trips back to us (like he does with a tennis ball). And he’s never done. But usually after 30-40 minutes of play, the moment he’s back inside the house he’s out cold.

It’s a great toy. He’s a happy puppy. Life is good.

Susan and Cricket (“Where is it? Where is it? Gimme the ball!”)

Ideas for playing in the heat

During the summer I try to take Lucky to the swimming hole and throw the ball there so he can get a good workout and stay cool. Also, he’s very good about taking a flying leap into the nearest pool of water after a good workout. When I do herding in the summer we do it early and take breaks –as soon as I say “That’ll do” he takes off running for the nearest water trough and dives in. It was pretty funny last week when he tried to dive into a frozen water trough!! I don’t really limit any activity–I just watch him and if his tongue is hanging too low I make him take a break and drink some water. So I would say for people in hot climates if they keep their dogs with them they are fine–they can take about as much as we can. I got Penny late in the year, so don’t have any experience with her and heavy physical activity in the heat — I haven’t even taken her swimming yet!! Wonder what she’ll think . . .

Alice and Lucky

Water Dog

Vesta is 2.5 years old, 45 pounds, and has the thin, long-legged body type. She is very energetic and loves to play Frisbee and retrieve anything she can move. In the New England humidity and sun, she heats up quickly and so will cool down by rolling in and drinking, even from a puddle, as well as by swimming, no matter how foul the water. Her latest escapades in a marsh in Boston Harbor left her quite ripe. Fortunately, she hops into the clawfoot tub on her own when she knows she has gotten too dirty to be welcome in the apartment.

When we’re playing at our neighborhood park in the summer, Vesta will actually take her own water break in the fountain, still carrying her toy, and return to play only when she is ready. She enjoys rolling in the quarter inch of water, as if marinating herself. None of the other dogs at the park “marinate” like this to cool off.

Vesta also knows the word “water.” I usually carry a liter bottle of water and a watertight canvas dish for her. I simply take out and unfold the dish, then pour water into it for her. She is accustomed to this routine and will lie down with the bowl between her front paws-very cute! Sometimes I will carry the partly filled bowl with us as we hike, but the adage is true. If I offer her the water when she isn’t thirsty, she will lap only once and then let all the water run out of her mouth. Sometimes I have the distinct impression that my job is to tote Vesta’s water and toys, but last summer she started wearing a saddle pack to carry her share.

Lori and Vesta

Creative Entle owner plays inside

With all the talk of snow games, I thought I would share my favorite bad weather/no space/Colya’s Been Out to Play Three Times and It’s Dark Out and He’s Still Squirrely Game:Chase the Herding Dog!

This is such a fun thing to do. Difficult to explain-just try it! Advised only once the herding/jumping/nipping is under control. The object is to stay behind your herding dog and try to chase him. I always start this game by coming up behind Colya and jumping really close to his backside. He immediately knows we’re going to play and wags his tail and gives his play growl. I then try to chase him. This sounds like it would result in chasing your dog through the house. But it doesn’t work that way because, being a herding dog, Colya only wants to be behind me. So we spend the next 5-10 minutes trying to be the one behind. This involves lots of trying to jump over or around him on my part and lots of entle wiggles and “getting around” on his part. Never takes more space than a kitchen floor.

There are only two rules: 1) No jumping up or nipping on his part. 2) No using alpha status to make him sit or stay on my part.

We both occasionally cheat.

Stephanie and Colya