Entlebuchers and Exercise

Exercise

It is common to hear among Entle owners: ' A tired Entle, is a happy Entle... and a happy owner!' If you are considering the breed, keep in mind they require an above average amount of daily exercise.

In general, they should get at least 1 hour of heart pumping, physical exercise; playing, running, wrestling... Walks are wonderful but the average walk is more mental stimulation than "physical exercise" to an Entle. Sometimes a walk just revs them up, like a tasty appetizer, then they are ready for the main course!

Both physical and mental exercise are needed to curb boredom, mischief and channel their excess energy. It is very important when Entles are younger because they have more strength and energy than judgement! Entles act youthful most of their lives but they go through a stage where they seem to be looking for Trouble (with a capital "T"). That stage usually involves testing their limits and some intense energy bursts. My girlfriend Jane uses the acronym "FRAP" = Frantic Running And Playing. Proper exercise helps an Entle be more content and calmer to live with.

Mental stimulation is often overlooked as a valuable tool in combination with regular physical exercise. Entles are highly intelligent, thinking dogs that need a challenge. I know for myself, sometimes after physical exercise I’m refreshed and invigorated- probably due to the flood of endorphins. But after working though tough issues in a workday, I can feet exhausted; drained from problem solving and just want to turn it off and relax! That is true for dogs too, especially working/herding breeds.

Playing hide and seek, teaching tricks or interactive fetch are great ways to supplement physical exercise. Always keep in mind safety first! Check the area for uneven ground, holes or other hazards to help prevent injury. As part of any game, add a mental component by asking for a behavior before a throw or find, then release. When an owner is engaged and involved in the activity, playing fetch can be a fun, rewarding way to build a stronger connection and working relationship.

Common Behavior Issues of Unemployed (or Under-employed) Entlebuchers

•   Excessive Barking / Vocalizing / Whining
•   Digging / Chewing / Destroying inappropriate items
•   Medical issues (obesity, licking themselves raw resulting in hot spots or infection)
•   Insistent demands for attention (nudging, pawing, bumping, nipping at ankles)
•   Obsessive-Compulsive behaviors (ex: chasing lights, shadows or tails, spinning, pacing...)

Important Exercise Consideration

During any exercise, keep in mind the Entlebucher body type. They are slightly longer backed and carry a considerable amount of weight for their medium sized frame. Always error on the side of caution for safety with exercise, especially when they are younger and their growth plates are forming.

Just like us, Entles can really benefit from proper warm ups and cool downs. Stretching, massage and other holistic modalities (like acupressure, chiropractic, Reiki, acupuncture, etc) can be very helpful. Keep your Entle fit, happy and injury-free by reading and learning about overall conditioning so you understand what your individual dog needs from you. Too often owners can try to cut corners by mindlessly throwing a ball for their entle. While that seems like a good way to wear them out or take the edge off their energy, most learn a hard lesson and have serious regrets. Putting time and thought into playing fetch safely pays off! I am not against playing ball/frisbee. I have learned through the years that there are better, more controlled ways to play fetch and avoid injuries and problems. I now include tricks and obedience into fetch by asking for a behavior and having the dog wait then I release them to get it when I believe there will not be an erratic bounce or hazzard. It makes a big difference.

Playing Safely with Ball Crazy Dogs - Brilliant Blog post (must read) from Northest K9 Conditioning, LLC
Bobbi Lyons Canine Campus - Link to her FREEBIES vault full of general exercises, conditioning and fitness tips
Canine Conditioning Coach - Great website with free and paid opportunities to keep your dog fit
FitPaws - You Tube channel; videos with strength, balance and fitness exercises
Puppy Growth Plates- Good information about growth plate closure
AKC Fit Dog Title Program- Fitness titling program through AKC

A Word of Caution

Entlebuchers do not tolerate heat as well as some other breeds. Entle owners pay special attention for signs of fatigue or heat intolerance especially during summer temps or humidity. Many Entles are so intense that they will work or play until they drop. It's important to monitor them closely; encourage them to take breaks, lie in the shade and keep hydrated as necessary. An Entle's black fur is a sun magnet. We invested in a special coat called a K-9 Cooler©, made of silver mesh to deflect the sun's rays. For added cooling, the K-9 Cooler© can also be soaked in water and worn wet. The open mesh weave makes it very breathable and allows air to circulate intensifying the cooling power. I highly recommend this or other types of sun protection for any dog breed with dark factored fur if they will be outside in direct sun for longer time periods.