Throwing your dog alone in a fenced-in backyard, or even with another dog, does not stimulate the mind or exercise your dog. Actually, it could even be causing behavior problems to multiply. Dogs with behavior problems are not happy dogs! Your inappropriate behavior is your cry for attention and help.
It is a fact; Most excessive barking, chewing, jumping, digging, and running away behavior problems are caused by boredom and pent-up energy. It’s like living with a ticking time bomb! You never know when it will go off…or how much damage it will do.
Dogs need stimulation, both physical and mental. Left unexercised and unchallenged, they will resort to finding creative and often destructive and/or dangerous ways to get into trouble. Worse still, they can develop behavioral problems, which can be quite expensive to modify.
In order to successfully achieve your goal of changing your dog’s inappropriate behavior and having a happy dog, the first thing you must do is commit to it. You must promise to provide your pet with enough structured exercise and mental stimulation daily to relieve boredom and pent-up energy.
Depending on your dog’s energy level, he may require at least 2 hours of vigorous exercise daily. That can include a long walk/run and maybe some time at the dog park for more exercise and socialization. Dog parks are a great place for not only your dog to make new friends, but you too!
Simply walking your dog on a daily basis can stimulate him mentally. New smells, sounds, sights, people and other dogs help break the mundane monotony of your life. Keep them guessing. Try walking in new places from time to time. Explore together.
How about an agility or rally class? If you want your dog to get plenty of exercise, mental stimulation, and socialization in an interesting and challenging way, these are two great options.
Is your dog home alone all day? Try doggy daycare, even if it’s just one or two days a week. You will most likely bring home a very tired dog on those nights. A tired dog is a good dog!
Training! The dogs are a work in progress. The best trained dogs on the planet are the ones that are continually trained and retrained to keep them in shape. If you think that because you took a Kindergarten Puppy or Basic Obedience course years ago you will keep your dog on the mark… guess again. Dogs need to be worked every day! Spend 10 minutes at least two or three times a day exercising your dog on obedience commands. There is no question; you will see a change in their behavior. Make it a game… make it fun. They will love the interaction with you.
If you don’t have the self-discipline to set your own schedule, sign up with a local trainer who uses non-punishment, positive reinforcement training methods. Again, great exercise for you and your dog. Lots of mental stimulation, challenges and socializing all wrapped up in an hour! Most give enough homework to keep you and your dog busy until the next class. Group classes are an incredibly inexpensive way to achieve your goal.
Bottom line: Before you give up, commit to two weeks. Walk your dog for at least 30-45 minutes twice a day. Properly exercise your dog by interacting with him. Socialize your pet at a dog park or doggy daycare. Spend time with your dog working on obedience skills. The positive sides of all this are: you will not only see a change in his behavior; you will also be reinforcing the bond between you. The results will blow your mind!
