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Every dog owner should have the goal of walking his or her dog every day. Even a half hour each day will make a big difference in a dog’s behavior. If you don’t have at least 30 minutes a day, then hire a dog walker.
The number one cause of most dog-behavior problems is a lack of exercise. My mutt stays home while I am at work, and I work 10-hour shifts, four days per week (I let him out during my lunch break). Last summer he proved to me he is trustworthy enough to have the run of the place while I am away. My point is, he could not be trusted if I did not walk or run with him every morning. A tired dog really is a good dog. You do not want to deal with a bored dog!
I said earlier that when I adopted Ace, I promised him I would allow him enough time to exercise every day. Dogs have varying energy levels, but I have found that Ace needs a minimum of 45 minutes of exercise each morning. Two or three hours a day would be ideal, but I also want to have a life that doesn’t always involve my dog.
My dog is also a ball nut, so halfway through our walk I usually let him chase the ball for a few minutes so he gets a chance to run off leash. This usually leaves him huffing and puffing for the remainder of our walk.
Playing fetch with Ace is a way to tire him out temporarily, but I have noticed he is much more mentally relaxed throughout the day if I have done something to challenge his mind. On a walk, he is introduced to new smells and places. He is also working to walk at my side and not pull me down the street. This requires concentration on his part. If I have less time than usual, a good way to tire Ace out quicker on our walk is to have him wear his dog backpack. If he wears his backpack during our walk, I usually fill it with about 8 pounds of books.
I am an introverted person, and I have learned that after being out in a crowd, or experiencing new things, I need quiet time to recharge. This is how Ace is as well. Once we come home from or walk, he is ready to settle in for a nap on his dog bed, surrounded by his toys and his own things to chew on. He knows the routine and is relaxed and tired as I head off to work.
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February 25th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
I find that it’s great exercise for me too. We both benefit
February 25th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Absolutely! We take a pack animal, treat him like a baby, put him into a small area and wonder why he has behavioral issues.
February 25th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Ace is a handsome fellow! Was he a rescue dog?
February 26th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Ace isn’t really a rescue dog. His first owner did not want him, so I adopted him. He never had to live in a shelter or the pound.