11 At-Home Activities To Do With Your Schnoodle

Snoodle with one ear up

11 At-Home Activities to Do With Your Schnoodle

As the proud owner of a Schnoodle dog, you're likely aware of their desire to chase and play every chance they get. According to Dog Time, your average Schnoodle dog needs 30-60 minutes of exercise daily. And whether you have a Miniature Schnauzer, Toy Schnoodle, or Standard Poodle, it's up to you to provide an outlet for your dog to remain happy and healthy. Luckily, as a dog owner, there are many activities you can do from the comfort of your home that takes advantage of your dog's stamina and strengthens your bond.

Puppy on a walk

Top 11 At-Home Activities To Do With Your Schnoodle.

1. Frisbee

No matter if you have a Toy Poodle or Giant Schnauzer, a game of frisbee is welcomed by practically every dog breed. And, according to Wag Walking, frisbee is a great activity to help entertain and tire out your dog. If you wish to try this simple, inexpensive activity with your Schnoodle, simply purchase your preferred flying disc (you can get a new one for as little as 50 cents) and head outside for some fun in the sun.

Not only does frisbee burn energy, but it also provides an opportunity to teach your dog a new trick. So, while frisbee might seem somewhat complicated at first, all you need to do is show your Schnoodle dog that you want them to catch it. This begins by introducing them to this new object and driving a desire for it. Whether by tug-of-war or a reward system, you want your Schnoodle to WANT the frisbee.

With these 11 at-home activities to do with your Schnoodle, you'll be ready each day to help them achieve their recommended 20-30 minutes of exercise in a way that's fun and benefits both of you.

Ultimately, there are several methods for teaching your dog to play frisbee. And, no matter if you have a Miniature Schnauzer or Standard Schnoodle, once they understand the concept, you've got a great activity for those lazy sunny days.

2. "Find It"

This less commonly known game is a great way to provide your beloved Schnoodle with mental stimulation – an act that's equally as important as physical exercise. "Find It" requires little more than treats, dog food, a simple chew toy, and a bit of training. In the end, this game is fun and it provides a slew of benefits to every dog breed. These benefits range from calmed nerves and released energy, to the opportunity to exercise those ancestral hunting skills – encouraging your Schnoodle puppy or Giant Schnoodle to work for their food.

To get started, you'll want to create an identifiable gesture that tells your dog it's time to use one of its most natural talents – smelling things out. To get your Schnoodle sniffing, you want to employ a verbal or physical cue. Once you signal your pup to the start of the game, immediately throw a treat or chew toy and let them find it. Naturally, you want to start out easy, only tossing things within your dog's view. But as they get the hang of it you can increase the difficulty of the game by hiding things around the house.

If you are successful and your poodle mix happens to love the game of "Find It", it's easy to incorporate into your daily routine – and highly beneficial as well. In fact, even mealtimes can be used to practice this activity, providing any Schnoodle puppy or adult dog with consistent physical and mental stimulation. Additionally, it's a great way to socialize your pup with visitors! Simply toss a toy and have your dog retrieve it for one of your guests.

Schnoodle puppy in the grass

3. Tug-of-War

It's no secret that tug-of-war is a favorite among both dogs and dog owners alike. And one of the best parts about this game is if you have a second dog this is an activity they can do together, totally hands-free on your part. The American Kennel Club promotes tug-of-war as a great way to nurture impulse control, strengthen bonds, and get rid of excess energy. No matter what breed of dog you're working with, this is an activity all dogs can get behind.

To play tug-of-war, it's a good idea to follow a few important steps. These include the dog owner always initiating and ending the session, keeping games short (10-15 seconds), shooting for 2-3 tugs per session, and taking turns letting your pup win. These "victories" help to build confidence while providing motivation and reinforcement to your furry friend. While this activity is undoubtedly great for physical and mental stimulation, it's even better for taking your bond and mutual trust to a new level.

If, for some, reason your dog is resistant to wanna play, there are a few things you can do to entice them. For starters, you might try getting them a new toy, then shaking and waving it in front of them to gain their interest. For Schnoodle owners, this is usually an easy task. Once they've got the toy in their mouth, tug at it enthusiastically from side to side. Once they've got that down, teach them a drop cue and you're good to go. In the end, this is a good idea at home because it allows you to provide high-energy exercise in small spaces.

4. DIY Obstacle Course

Building an obstacle course at home for your Schnoodle probably seems crazy at first glance. However, it's a whole lot easier than one would think. Especially with a small dog. Ultimately, you can likely build your course by using simple items commonly found around the home. And from clothes hampers to hula hoops, PVC pipes, and curtain rods, you can do a lot with very little.

If you and your pup happen to be new at obstacle training, jumping is probably the best place to start. With just a laundry basket or curtain rod, you can easily set the bar (pun intended) for your dog's beginning jumps. And while such a small dog won't be able to make the same jumps as something the size of an Old English Sheepdog or German Shepherd – if you practice regularly, you can definitely increase the height.

In addition to jumping, other good ideas include weaving and tunnel obstacles. For tunneling, you can use those laundry baskets we mentioned – simply cut out the bottom, lay them down, and you're good to go. Finally, any sort of pole or cone you can mark a path with can be used to teach your furbaby how to conquer weaving obstacles. Before you know it, your Schnoodle will thank you for the challenge.

Schnoodle in the grass on a leash

5. Fetch

Since a Schnoodle dog requires daily exercise and the weather isn't always all sunshine and rainbows, you need to have some indoor activities in your arsenal. And, while being indoors is limiting to some degree, fetch is one of those activities you can do both indoors and out with a small dog. So, whether it's a Miniature Poodle or Mini Schnoodle, this is a game you two can play from the comfort of your couch. Also, according to the Humane Society, fetch feeds on a dog's natural instincts.

In fact, many dogs were bred to retrieve items for owners, so for many, it's in their nature. Anytime you can support their natural instincts you should definitely do so. So, if you have the space in your home, fetch is simple, easy, and free. All you need is a bone, ball, or chew toy and a willing arm. But, why is fetch so good for dogs? For starters, it makes them feel good. It doesn't matter if it's a Schnoodle or Golden Retriever, fetch allows them to show off and be rewarded for it.

Better yet, if you two are new to playing fetch, smaller spaces are actually ideal. Since most dogs are already prone to running after an object once it's thrown, there's not much more you'll have to do. However, if your Schnoodle dog needs encouragement, playing with the fetch object in front of them or their favorite toy will help inspire interest and the desire to chase and retrieve.

6. Online Courses

Whether you have a young puppy or an older guard dog, any training opportunity is a good opportunity. And believe it or not, there are actually online training classes available for dogs. Sites like Spirit Dog Training offer the unique opportunity of effective dog training online, with everything from obedience training to puppy exercise, tackling reactivity, and loose leash walking. While you may be wondering how effective online training courses can really be for dogs – as a dog owner you're likely to see drastic improvements as reported by the majority of users.

So, if you have the time to dedicate to your pup's education, there are many affordable options for less than $100. And the best part is that these courses provide lifelong tools to help you and your dog live and play together happily.

happy shcnoodle on white background

7. Food Puzzles

If you've never seen a food puzzle, they're often made up of a thick plastic or rubber shape with holes located on the ends. The idea is to put dog food or treats inside of these holes or compartments and leave it up to your Schnoodle to find it. According to Pets Web MD, a food puzzle for dogs is a great form of mental stimulation because it challenges them while letting them lick and chew. While it sounds like it may be frustrating for the dog, they enjoy working for their food, thus making this a win-win.

In addition to the mental challenge of it, a food puzzle also helps your mixed breed dog burn energy – yet another win. Because the goal of the food puzzle is to retrieve the food, your dog must maneuver around, using all of its senses to free the food from within. And from beginning to more experienced levels, there are many food puzzle designs from which to choose.

While dogs are domesticated to live in our homes, their instinct to hunt still remains. Investing in a food puzzle and using it effectively actually nurtures this instinct as they must put in the effort to retrieve what's inside. Feel free to regularly mix up your food puzzle's contents with special treats and homemade mixes.

8. Walk On The Treadmill

Do you need another rainy day activity for your Schnoodle? If the answer is yes and you have a treadmill, providing that necessary daily exercise for your Schnoodle dog is easy. And while some regularly sized human treadmills will work for dogs, a small dog like a Schnoodle might benefit more from a specialized dog treadmill. Luckily, they're less expensive than our treadmills and worth the price to provide your dog with year-round walks.

A treadmill provides full-body exercise that's enough for the whole day. It's also perfect for providing a warm-up before obstacles or trick training, dog sports, longer walks, and hikes. Finally, if your pup happens to be overweight, a treadmill is the perfect tool for regular daily physical engagement.

Are you having issues getting your furry friend on the treadmill? Fear not, because there are a few things you can do to get them comfortable with the equipment. First, be sure it's not facing the wall, otherwise, they'll think they're gonna hit the wall. Second, get them to walk on the treadmill when it's off. If you're having trouble, try luring them on with treats.

puppy in the road

9. Give Them Some Quiet Time

A dog needs quiet time just as much as any human being, although they often need to first adjust. Whether we're talking Cocker Spaniel or Mini Poodle, quiet and even short isolation can create long-term emotional stability, confidence, stress reduction, and an ability to handle frustrating or challenging circumstances.

There are many ways to go about this, whether you do it when you're at home or when you're away. A lot of it has to do with your schedule. And while they might not like it at first, it's important for them to get comfortable with being quiet. To encourage this comfort in your Schnoodle puppy, you can start by setting up a comfy, quiet space for them.

Whether you build them a dog house, designate a crate, or place a bed in the corner, the idea is to make them feel safe and secure. Start by isolating them for short periods and rewarding them upon release when they've managed to stay quiet. The more they get used to their time away from you the longer they can be in their own personal space (and the more you can get done away from the house).

10. The Shell Game

Remember that game we played as children where we would place a ball or some other small object in a cup, face down, and then mix it in with a few other empty cups? Well, training your dog to play this game can prove beneficial and exciting for all parties involved. Not only because it entertains your furbaby and provides mental stimulation, but because it teaches impulse control and encourages critical thinking – two factors that can improve behavior in any dog breed.

If you think this is something your Schnoodle might enjoy, the good news is, that you only need a few items to play it. While cups were mentioned in the previous paragraph, when it comes to dogs, clay pots with holes in the bottom are more ideal. That way they are able to smell the treat inside. Additionally, not only are the pots heavy enough to avoid tipping, but they're also lightweight enough for your dog to maneuver around with its nose. From there, you only need the treat to hide and you're ready to begin.

When teaching your dog the Shell Game, it's important that you begin with just one cup. Get them to understand how the game works by rewarding their first nose touches. As they start to understand the concept, you can begin incorporating more pots. Finally, you want to increase your demand for the dog by asking for a paw touch. If your pup is quick, this trick can be learned in a matter of a few days.

schnoodle on a walk

11. Command Training Time

Exercise time doesn't always have to mean finding a new activity. Instead, why not focus on the commands they know and teach them some new ones? While this might not necessarily be physically stimulating, it does help to keep their mind sharp and build on the foundation of trust and love between the two of you. So, if you would like to teach your Miniature Schnauzer to sit, stay, roll over, or more – the younger you start the better.

Teaching a dog commands can be helpful not just for entertainment purposes, but for improving behavioral problems as well. From hand signals and verbal commands to repetition and a reward system, any dog breed can learn the common commands, including shake and play dead. All you need is some patience and dedication.

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