Physical exercise- some of us love it, some us hate it. However, we all know it's part of a healthy regime. Phusical exercise as well as mental stimulation are equally important to our canine companions. Both of these can create profound changes in a dog's behavior. Physical exercise is important to a dog's overall well-being. Keeping dogs physically fit reduces the chances of obseity and keeps their physical structure in peak condition. We, as humans, control what we eat and how we exercise. Our dogs rely solely on us to provide them with what they need. Since domestication, they no longer expend energy hunting for their own food, running to their heart's content and romping with other pack members. Beyond the healthy component of exercise, many behavioral problems can be traced back to boredome and inactivity. How can we change this? When working with dogs in a classroom environment or on a previate basis, one of the detailed reports I ask for is how much daily exercise does a dog get. Most of the time, the information is the same -- their exercise consists of whatever happens in the backyard. Others get walked a couple of times per day, some jog with their caretakes, and the lucky ones get a combination of exercise, including playing with dog friends. Creative energy outlets help curtail and can even eliminate behavors that we deem inappropriate. For example, the dog who is home during the doay and, once the caretakes arrive, bounces off the walls all night; the dog who makes his own art expression by digging up the back yard; or the dog who jumps on and at everything and everyone he sees. Think about it ... what were these guys originally bred to do? Even if there are no behavioral problems in sight, we owe it to our dogs to give them the most enriching life possible.Dogs wake up with a full tank of fuel every day. Here are some suggestions to empty that tank. One of the best energy burners is interacting with other dogs. If you have a social dog, consider getting together with othe social dogs. There is nothing like being able to play freely with their friends. Racing, running, jumping, mouthing and sometimes just hanging out are all naturals for dogs. Trade back yards or dind safe areas that are fenced. Dog Friendly Areas in parks are being installed in Chicago and in many of the surrounding suburbs. Contact Chipawgo! for recommendations in your area. A walk around the block is nice, but not enough. Dogs should get to know their neighbors and their neighborhood. If your dog should get away from your home, he can find his way back or possibly over to a friend's house if he at least knows the territory. Also, by getting acquainted with the neighbors, he is more likely to approach one of them or be easily recognized.
Take a walk in a the woods or in a field. In such places dogs can experience different terrains, climb over obstacles (tree limbs, hills, etc.), and sniff out other creatures. Out of respect for leash laws and your dog's safety, you can outfit your dog with cotton web line. A 50-foot line allows your dog plenty of space to run up ahead, fall behind and explore. Take a water canteen along to keep him hydrated. The Lake County Forest Preserve (which requires you to pay a membership fee) has three fenced in areas where dogs can be off leash. In addition to socialization, this preserve offeres trails to follow, hills to climb, and ponds for swimming.
Agility classes provide both physical exercise and mental stimulation. Here, dogs learn to negotiate various pieces of equipment and obstacles. Some are ground level, others are elevated; commonly seen items include open and closed tunnels, A-frames, dog walks, weave poles and a variety of jumps.
Beginners will start out on leash; with time and practice, they'll progress to mastering the courses off-leash. Participating in there classes help dogs gain confidence, learn to focus, and concentrate on what they're doing. In agility clases, you and your dog work as a team, so your relationship with him becomes much more enhanced through the training and learning process.
Retrieving is a wonderful game for dogs. Some dogs are naturals; others need to be taught. If you dog does not have an interest in toys, try stuffing a Kong toy with a variety of treats or cut a dime-size home in a tennis ball and load it with food and treats. Most dogs will spend a lot of time getting the food out, which in turn will create more interest in the toy. Once they've learned to retrieve, you can use a tennis racket or a ball launcher to do further retrieves and to save your arm. Retrieving can be done in the wter as well, using a toy which floats. All dogs benefit from an active lifestyle. Have fun learning and participating in the many available activities for you and your dog. Remember, Chipawgo! is your resource for information, so contact us for recommendations.