Activity ideas for miniature poodle?

[Lemon-Drop]

Hi, I'm trying to think of ideas for my (well, technically my older sisters) miniature poodle, Oliver to do for activities. (He's 11 yrs old)

These are the things that I've tried:

Teaching him to fetch (he doesn't even lift his head when I throw something)

Going on walks (most of the time, he drags)

Teaching him tricks (He just wants the treats, nothing else)

I've wanted to try agility, but he has joint problems and DDD.

Any other ideas? I tried tracking, but he wasn't very interested either.

Thanks!

Also, he's very food/treat motivated.

 

[Isadora]

Obviously not something you want to go overboard with because you don't want to give too many treats, but how about just hiding treats around the room for him to find?

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Obviously not something you want to go overboard with because you don't want to give too many treats, but how about just hiding treats around the room for him to find?

I could try that... sometimes he's not great at finding treats that I hide, though.

(Sometimes I'll set a treat down, and he'll end up standing on top of it, trying to find it.)

 

[NatJ]

Obviously not something you want to go overboard with because you don't want to give too many treats, but how about just hiding treats around the room for him to find?

Or make him search for his normal meals, by hiding the usual amount of food in several places. Dry kibble can be hidden all over the place, while wet food should probably be in dishes (but it could be in several small dishes, in different places each day.)

"Hiding" might be as simple as putting it in a different corner or under the table, if he is not good at finding things.

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

Well, I like to track coons and coyotes with my dog... so I am no help here.

 

[NatJ]

Hi, I'm trying to think of ideas for my (well, technically my older sisters) miniature poodle, Oliver to do for activities. (He's 11 yrs old)

Are you looking for activities because the dog is bored, or because you are bored?

If you are the one who wants to do things, you might consider something like gently brushing him. That is sometimes relaxing for the dog, so not the best if he is full of energy and needs to get worn out, but great if he is tired or cannot move well.

 

[Suez1uk]

Likkie mats are great, even better when frozen, you can often find cheap silicon alternatives like dish drainers to use. My dogs love them even in the cold weather.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Are you looking for activities because the dog is bored, or because you are bored?

If you are the one who wants to do things, you might consider something like gently brushing him. That is sometimes relaxing for the dog, so not the best if he is full of energy and needs to get worn out, but great if he is tired or cannot move well.

I think he seems bored, most of the time he likes to sleep, but recently he's been getting into things, like opening bags of flour in the pantry, or chewing up a silicone mat sort of thing.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Likkie mats are great, even better when frozen, you can often find cheap silicon alternatives like dish drainers to use. My dogs love them even in the cold weather.

Those look great! I'll see if I can get one. I can totally see him loving it!

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Or make him search for his normal meals, by hiding the usual amount of food in several places. Dry kibble can be hidden all over the place, while wet food should probably be in dishes (but it could be in several small dishes, in different places each day.)

"Hiding" might be as simple as putting it in a different corner or under the table, if he is not good at finding things.

That's also a good idea! Thanks!