Excessive barking, fence running, digging and coprophagia are revealing behavior patterns that may initially begin as acting out to overcome boredom. PON owners are encouraged to be pro-active and try these budget friendly activities with their PONS.

Make sure you toss the ball long, rather than  high. The reason you want to throw the ball for distance, not height, is because you do not want your PON jumping and injuring his/her joints. Make sure that the ball is large enough to prevent a choking hazard.

Get your PON involved with other local dogs to play together. Dogs are social or pack animals and enjoy this physical and mental stimulation. Not only is the exercise essential but the socialization skills the dogs practice with each other is priceless. If this is not possible, join a training class and learn the basics for obedience training which you can use with your PON at home. Once this takes off, you can continue to compete in obedience competitions.

Many PONS are ball driven and go crazy for Fly Ball as a form of exercise. Although there is a definite amount of training to accomplish correct fly ball, a considerable number of dog clubs offer fly ball for free. Contact local kennel clubs for more information.

Hide and Seek.

Teach your PON to "find it". Your PON will enjoy the mental work out as well as the physical exertion of locating his favorite toy or treat. Mix things up by changing the location of where you hide the toys and what toys are being hidden in your house and yard.

One of the instinctual habits dogs have developed is the ability to weave in and out of trees while chasing its food. Use a few new plungers adhered to your wood or tile floors and teach your dog to weave his way in and out of the plungers. Start slow and over time you can graduate your PON to even faster Weave Poles speeding skills.

Jumping Over the bar

If you're confided  inside your home, you can use two kitchen chairs and place an item like a broom between the lower rungs on them and teach your PON to jump over the bar on command. Remember to start very low and work your way up in height and also do not start jumping activities too early with your maturing PON puppy.

Going through objects like hollowed out tree trunks to catch its prey is also a natural habit for a dog. Dogs love Tunnels.. Find somebody throwing out a larger appliance box and teach your dog to go through it on command.

Frisbee Fun.

Tossing a frisbee and having your dog retrieve it is a great form of exercise. There are also many different types of Frisbees border on the market making it so much easier to find the one your PON  loves.

 

Go Fish. If you don't feel like moving around so much yourself, tie a favorite toy onto a pole with a string. Let your PON chase the toy while you move the fishing pole back and forth. Just make sure that all sharp object are removed such as hooks, etc.   Scent Games. Place a small treat in one of your hands behind your back. Bring both of your closed fisted hands in front of your PON and let him figure out which hand the treat is in. This game can also be moved to cups, closed boxes, etc.   Lure Coursing. Tying a plastic bag or soft toy to a long string and reeling it in while your PON chases it is a fun and inexpensive way to get your PON moving.   Rally Classes. Rally obedience, also called "Rally-O", is a competition for both you and your PON to enjoy together. You can download the rally obstacles over the internet and work with your PON to do what is on the signs. Rally combines dog agility, sports car racing and even traditional dog obedience into its own, one-of-a-kind, dog sport.   Obstacle Courses. Set up all sorts of furniture and boxes and teach your PON to run the obstacle course you have set up in your home or even out in your yard. Change it up with different sized and shaped objects to make it even more fun.   Hose Fun. Many dogs love to chase after water coming from a water hose. Letting your PON run  and jump after a garden hose is great exercise for your PON and fun to watch too.   These activities are all inexpensive and serve to keep your PON engaged in a range of activities which prevent boredom. Good luck !