Dogs and Exercise: Pay Attention!

Exercise may be the single most underrated element when it comes to happily cohabitation with most dogs. Dogs that regularly act out, chew or pee in the house are usually not spending enough time being active outside. Dogs develop cabin fever very easily. Bored dogs are dogs that will misbehave for the sheer purpose of creating some interesting excitement.

Dogs consistently need daily physical exercise and mental stimulation. This can partially be accomplished by playing fun active games with your dog. If your dog loves to retrieve, tossing a ball or Frisbee for him to fetch can be excellent exercise.

Before exercise, it is a very good idea to work through a training exercise with your dog. That way, exercise will not only work as a cool-down, but will provide a reward for the training exercise. Whenever you have an opportunity to turn a training exercise into a positive experience, take it! Your dog training will prove much more effective. Here's a good step-by-step plan for a training workout that works very well before an exercise session: Dogs and Boundary Training before Exercise

In addition to playing games, dogs need to get out and do the things that they are hardwired to do. Exercising your dog is basically freeing them to do what they do best. Sniffing, searching, running, discovering, herding, retrieving, and playing are all things that certain breeds need to do to be happy. Although it's not a magic bullet, allowing dogs the dignity of getting out and about and enjoying their canine instinct will typically help to end negative behaviors.

The type of exercise your dog should engage in depends on the breed, personality, age and health. Older dogs may prefer a short mellow walk around the block. A young sporting breed such as a lab puppy may need two or three walks a day to feel satisfied that he has used sufficient energy for the day. There are dogs that, ideally, need to get out and run around a field or open space for an hour a day. Consider your dog's breed and body type. What was your dog bred to do? Swim and retrieve? Run? Pull sleds? Maybe your dog was bred to herd sheep or cows. Not having an outlet for these natural instincts leads to boredom and frustration. Boredom and frustration lead to destructive behavior and hyper active hi jinks.

If you can't replicate the exact activity for your dog, consider a replacement or at least a complimentary form of exercise. Take herding breeds to agility classes or construct your own agility course to provide exercise. This not only provides physical exercise for your dog, but also provides him with mental stimulation. Take water dogs to the water and let him swim to his heart's content. You will be amazed at how happy and relaxed a well exercised dog will be. The dog will not only be content and calm, he will also be more attentive to your commands. This attention goes a long way in trying to train a dog. Again, a well-exercised dog is usually a well-behaved dog.

Always be mindful of your dog's safety when exercising. Several large breeds need to avoid strenuous activity until their bones are finished growing. Be mindful of your dog's pads if you are regularly running them on sand, rocks or pavement. Be sure to always have a water source for thirsty hot dogs in the summer, and never let your dog off leash when it's not safe to do so. If you have any concerns about exercising your dog, consult your vet. It's extremely rare that a dog is being given too much exercise, but any concerns should be addressed by a professional.

This excerpt is found in Response Revolution: The Complete Dog Training Guide. To get the $97 guide for FREE, click here.