Exercise: Many
'behavior problems' are simply the result of too little exercise. Dogs that are
constantly in motion, who chew, bark, jump, or dig excessively may be helped by
providing more exercise. Many dogs need much more exercise than they are
getting. Certain breeds (especially Sporting and Herding dogs) require a large
amount of exercise daily. Be aware of your dog's exercise needs. We always say
that 'a tired dog is a good dog'.
Walking is a great exercise for most dogs. Be careful with
young puppies and larger breeds that you don't over-exercise them on hard
surfaces such as roads or sidewalks. This can put too much stress on the
joints. Walking in grass is much better. Many dogs love to run or jog, but need
to build up to more vigorous exercise over time.
Play sessions with other nice dogs are a wonderful way to
exercise your dog. Check with your friends and neighbors to set up 'play
dates'. This also has the added bonus of helping your dog learn how to get
along well with other canines. However, be careful that you watch for warning
signs of growling or snapping. While play can sometimes be quite rough and
physical, none of the dogs should seem unhappy or upset by the activity.
Many dogs learn how to play 'fetch' very quickly. This is a
great way to wear out the dog without much effort on the your part. Try
tennis balls, Kong toys, canvas or plastic bumpers, or rubber balls. If your
dog chases the toy but doesn't bring it back or give it up, have two identical
toys. Once he picks up one you can show him the other and throw it in a
different direction. He'll usually drop the first to chase the second. Chasing a ball
up and down the stairs is another good way to give your dog a nice workout.
Some dogs love to chase a large, hard soccer ball. Jolly Balls are great for outside play.
Mental stimulation: In addition to physical exercise, dogs
need mental exercise as well. Dogs are very curious and intelligent creatures,
and they can get bored by an unchanging routine or a lack of excitement. A
bored dog will usually try to make his own fun, and you may not like the
results!
There are a few toys available that make your dog work for
his food. One is called a Buster Cube. It is a hard plastic cube that has an
opening in which you load your dog's dry food. Once you shake the cube the food
is distributed inside into a number of different compartments. Your dog can
only get the food by rolling the cube around on the ground. The food comes out
randomly. Many dogs love this toy and will become quite excited about using it.
The Buster Cube should only be used by one dog at a time to avoid skirmishes,
and is safest if used outside in a fenced yard.
A simple variation on this idea is to scatter your dog's
food in the back yard, rather than feeding him from a bowl. This gives him an
opportunity to hunt and find, and stretches out the feeding process, keeping
your dog busy. When the weather is bad you could hide bits of food around the
house for your dog to find.
A Kong toy is a hard rubber toy that is hollow in the
center. You can stuff the Kong with peanut butter, cheese, and dry food. Most
dogs love trying to get all the goodies out of the Kong, and will chew on it
for hours. You can also fill the Kong with canned or frozen dog food, then
freeze it.
Some dogs, especially diggers, appreciate a sandbox. Bury
goodies, toys, and sterilized bones for your dog to find. This will also
encourage him to direct his digging urges to an appropriate place.
You can keep your dog busy and active by taking him with you
on short errands. Be sure that the weather is not too hot. Short trips are
usually interesting and enjoyable for your dog. You can combine your errands
with quick walks or training sessions in different locations. A change of
scenery is as interesting for a dog as it is for a person.
With a little bit of creative thought, you can probably come
up with lots of ways to keep your dog busy and happy.
Robin Sockness, My Best Buddy Dog Training
No comments:
Post a Comment