Activities For Karelian Bear Dogs
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Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
"Karelian Bear Dog" may sound like a very strange name for a pup but, after getting a look at one of these furry fellows, we've come to see that the name is justified; these medium sized dogs have such full and thick coats, paired with such short and pointy ears, that they look like small bears from a distance. Interestingly enough, the thick coats of Karelian Bear Dogs don't impede their ability to move and hunt at all as this particular breed of dog has a pretty good reputation for being a reliable hunting partner. Karelian Bear Dogs tend to like all sorts of activities, from agility training to dog soccer, which we'll discuss below.
Obedience Training
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Any Day
Moderate
Normal
30 min
Items needed
Leash
Treats
Activity description
Karelian Bear Dogs are one of those breeds that can fill a lot of roles once they've been given the proper training; we specifically mentioned that they can learn to be great hunters and watchdogs earlier in the guide, but they can also learn to compete in dog shows, become tracking dogs, perform tricks on command, and so much more! But as the old saying goes, you have to crawl before you walk. In many ways, obedience training is exactly that; teaching your dog how to move and act in a controlled manner while resisting their natural impulses to act out. Obedience training can be done at home for free although some canines benefit greatly from organized classes at a moderate cost.
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Obedience training basics
Most obedience training exercises work on a very simple "repeat and reward" system; you'll show your dog how to do something such as sit and stay, will ask them to do it on command, reward them with praise for successfully completing a task, and then will ask them to repeat the task or action to see if they've really got it down. Dog treats can be used to properly motivate your dog as well, but it's best not to get your dog too used to being rewarded with treats.
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Obedience training exercises
Many obedience training exercises can be completed right within the comfort of your own home; a very simple one consists of hiding a treat around your place of dwelling, encouraging your dog to find it, and saying "hot" or "cold" depending on how close or far they are from the treat. Another simple exercise is called "Round Robin Recall" which we'll discuss in finer detail further on.
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Round robin recall
You'll need a few buddies to help you out with this activity, but the idea here is that you'll all stand in a circle with treats in your hand and then you'll take turns calling your dog's name and then giving them a treat. By doing this one at a time, your dog will begin to understand the principles of coming when called, patiently waiting for a treat, as well as the idea of having good manners.
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Trick Training
Popular
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Any Day
Cheap
Easy
30 min
Items needed
Dog Treats
Activity description
Teaching a dog how to roll over, shake a paw and do figure eights can yield a number of benefits beyond helping them be great at parties; the activity is free and teaching a dog of any age new tricks can help boost their confidence and improve their ability to understand and complete commands on request. You don't need that much to teach a dog a new trick either; so long as you have a reliable means of getting and keeping your pet's attention, you two will be good to go. Karelian Bear Dogs are pretty good at learning new tricks, so don't be afraid to try and teach your pet a number of increasingly unconventional and difficult techniques over time.
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1
Teaching a dog a new trick
Getting your dog's attention and rewarding them for their efforts are the two operating principles behind trick training. Dog treats are great tools that that can be used to gain a dog's attention and then reward them for their efforts. But if you and your dog have a particularly strong rapport, something that can be gained by completing a number of obedience training courses together, then you may not need to use dog treats at all.
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Show them the way
You will need to show your dog the motion or action that you'd like for them to do first before asking them to repeat it without guidance. In order to teach a dog how to lay down, for instance, you'll need to get them to lower their body closer and closer to the ground until they reach a prone position. Once they go prone, say "lay down" and then reward them with praise for a job well done. The first time around you can gently move your dog's head down with your arm or hold a treat in front of their face that you can then lower them to the ground.
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Guard Dog Training
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Any Day
Moderate
Normal
45 min
Items needed
Guard Dog Training Kit
Dog Leash (Hands Free)
Activity description
Because Karelian Bear Dogs aren't particularly fussy animals by nature, it's pretty easy not to misconstrue them barking for the sake of alerting you as opposed to barking for the sake of barking. By nature, Karelian Bear Dogs are very loyal and protective of their families; if they sense that something is amiss, they'll break from their typically stoic demeanor and will warn you of a potential threat. Why then would it be necessary to train a dog that's already naturally great at being a watchdog? To refine that ability and help your pet reach their fullest potential - just because something works doesn't mean it can't be made to work better. Additionally, you will want to keep your dog under control and as a family pet first - and protector second.
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Choose the right method
There are a number of ways a person can go about refining their Karelian Bear Dog's natural guard dog abilities but there are two methods that really stand out above the others; one can get a hold of a guard dog training kit and can teach their dog by themselves or they can reach out to a professional dog trainer to enlist their aid. Both methods have their pros and cons, so you'll want to choose the right method for you and your dog.
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The DIY method
In almost all cases, the DIY method will be more cost friendly but much more difficult to set up than getting in touch with a professional. You'll be able to exercise more control over the training sessions but that can be a bad thing if you don't really know what you are doing. The biggest benefit of the DIY method is that your dog will be working with a familiar face - your own.
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The pro method
Professional dog trainers with strong reputations and quality services can be a bit pricey but the experience and resources that they can bring to the table are worth every cent. If your dog doesn't do well taking instructions from others, then this may not be the best method for your pet - though that likely won't be an issue as Karelian Bear Dogs are typically very friendly by default. As well, the trainer can groom your dog away from their headstrong tendencies and move them toward willing obedience while keeping them as a companion foremost.
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Scent Training
Most dogs can be taught to find missing persons, places, or things using their innate sense of smell and Karelian Bear Dogs are no exception. Like many of the other training activities in this guide, you can either scent train your dog on your own or you can get a professional to help the both of you out.
Tracking Training
Tracking training and scent training are sometimes used as interchangeable terms so, for the purpose of this guide, think of tracking training as the act of teaching a dog how to find something by following a set of visible tracks. You'll likely need to enlist the aid of a few friends and family members to help you pull this activity off, as tracking training is pretty complex.
Conclusion
Karelian Bear Dogs are some of the most trainable dogs out there, so if you're a person who'd like to get a dog that can be taught a number of complex tricks and maneuvers then this pet may very well be an ideal fit for you. If you're a person who would like to get a dog who can learn to fulfill multiple roles and be more than just a companion animal, then you may also want to consider adopting one of these dogs. Or if you're a person who's just looking for a very friendly loyal and friendly dog to adopt into your family, then the Karelian Bear Dog is a solid choice.