One of the most important things that will effect your dogs behavior in a positive way is exercise, mental and physical...........................................................
Many people think that throwing a ball or a Frisbee is the same or better than a walk. With a few exceptions to this rule I will respectfully disagree. If you take a look at a dog and his owner who are properly walking for a half an hour or more per day compared to the same breed who is not and all you will most often see a HUGE difference in the attitude and health of the dog (the owner as well *grin*).
In a nature, a dog would walk miles and miles in a day. Tracking and traveling is the main activity for dogs to survive. When we take that away from a dog we are missing a vital tool for creating a happy, healthy environment for him. Dogs, like people, need a job to be fulfilled in their lives. Many people think that a 'large' back yard or a big house provides enough exercise space for their dog. Show me that person and I'll show you and unhappy often neurotic dog. Just in the the same way a large house is not enough activity for a human, a dog needs outside activities to be mentally stable and physically satisfied.
What is a "proper" walk? Many dog lovers feel that a dog should be free to sniff around on the walk. This is one of the reasons why you see so many dogs walking their owners instead of the other way around. Just like kids, dogs need to have rules. One of the rules on the walk is that the dog must be walking at a pace sufficient to get a good workout. We know that if he is stopping to sniff at every tree that this will not be a good way to get his heart rate up and maintain it for good cardio exercise. Another rule is that the dog must be following the handler's lead. If a dog is walking purposefully at his owner's side, he will be getting not only a physical workout but a mental workout. If he is thinking about what you expect of him he will be thinking hard and working his mind. A dog that is looking all around at everything that moves, or waiting at any moment to lunge to the end of the lead, is not getting a good mental workout. He needs to be concentrating on what his handler is preparing to do. (He also might pull you to the ground!) In other words, he needs to be a follower. This also puts him in that state of mind for when he goes home. In nature the pack leader would be the one setting the pace. This is now your responsibiliy on the walk. He will look to you for all good things if you are his benevolent leader. That doesn't mean you have to be all mushy and soft with him at every turn, though there is a time for that sort of thing. It also does not mean that you should be harsh or abusive. Just be clear to him in no uncertain terms that this is where we are going and this is the pace we are taking to get there. A good walk is 'work' for his food and for your affection and that is satisfying for humans as well. A walk without discipline is not a productive walk. It is not challenging and it does not exercise the mind and body as well. Like children who are acting up because they lack rules, a dog will act up if he is not challenged on a regular basis with rules and disciplined walks.
Mastering the walk is one key to a happy, healthy dog.
Be a leader and your dog will follow!
Happy walking!
Mary
Power Paws Dog Rehabilitation and Training Contact us at:powerpaws@live.com or 321-302-4142
No comments:
Post a Comment