For most people with dog problems, the answer is simple: more exercise. "That's it?" you ask. "Very often," I reply. One of the biggest mistakes people make with dogs is that they believe a dog needs a big home with a large yard to run around in. I often hear this as an excuse as to why someone can't adopt a dog from me: "I only live in a small apartment; it wouldn't be fair to the dog." But the happiest dogs aren't the ones with the stress of having to 'protect' a large 'den'; nor are they the ones who get confined to the yard almost every day because their person thinks he's lucky to have such a big space to run around in.
No, the happiest, most balanced dogs are those with a small space to call their own, and at least forty-five minutes of walking every day. Yes, forty-five minutes. That can be broken up into several shorter walks (as it should if your dog can only take bathroom breaks outside, as they need at least three a day, and more if younger than eight months). But it is far better to make one of the walks a long one—better for the dog, and better for you too, as your dog will be able to release so much mental and physical energy in an acceptable manner. In fact, none of the following lessons will be able to help you if you're not providing your dog with enough daily exercise.
Unmet Needs
Dogs have a natural urge to explore just beyond their territory, to smell who may have passed by recently, to enjoy that forward momentum, to satisfy that desire to know what is 'out there', and to cement that bond he wants to have with you as only an on-leash walk can do. The more cooped-up a dog is kept, the more pent-up he will become, and with all that excess energy not being burned off in a healthy way, it will start to be released in ways that you would rather not experience: destructive behaviour, barking, nervousness, or even aggression. It's no coincidence that, of my own pack, the only dogs who bark when they hear noises outside are the crippled ones, who just don't get as many energy-releasing, stimulating, satisfying walks as my other dogs. In my neighbourhood, the dogs that bark incessantly or snap and snarl at passers-by are the ones who have the 'luxury' of a yard but don't get to go on walks.
Imagine if you weren't allowed to wander beyond your four walls, or even beyond your garden or yard. Imagine how stressed and frustrated you would start to feel if you never got to experience life outside your home. You would sink into some form of undesirable behaviour, either looking for ways to release that energy or get that stimulation, or shutting down and heading towards depression. Your dog is no different. He or she needs a good walk every day with his pack leader by his side to feel fulfilled and happy. Other forms of exercise, such as playing ball or tugging rope, all help your dog to release energy, but none compare in effectiveness to a long, tiring, controlled walk.
A dog who usually shows anxiety or barks when left alone will benefit from a long, tiring walk beforehand. A dog who tends to be overly boisterous or even aggressive will calm down much more if that energy is exhausted. A tired dog is a good dog. Even a nervous dog will calm right down after a long walk. And all these behaviours improve greatly over time the more walks the dog gets.
Controlling the Issues
But the walk must be, for the most part, on leash. This is because, if you want to control your dog's bad behaviour, you must first control your dog (and, above that, control yourself, including your thoughts on the matter, your body language, and your mood). Also, if you walk your dog the right way, it not only reinforces your status as pack leader, but defines what the pack (often just you and your dog) will pay attention to, chase, bark at, be scared of, attack, etc. A dog who is prevented from chasing other dogs because he or she is on leash will, after a while, be cured of that issue, as that behaviour will have been deterred, both through clear instruction on what is acceptable and because the addiction is weakened by a lack of regular 'fix', which is the buzz reward they get from initiating a chase. The same can be said for all manner of behaviours, even fearfulness.
Now, the usual catch 22 here is that, for many people with a problem dog, walking is a nightmare, as the dog will pull all the time or be forever trying to jump up at people, or run away from cars, or bark at passing dogs. But that will no longer be an issue, because several of the upcoming lessons will be all about getting your dog to walk nicely every single time you go for a walk--like a show-dog, right by your side, happily ignoring all distractions and visibly enjoying this new, relaxed, controlled way of walking. Don't believe it? You have to. It works. You will see.
Good For You Too
A daily walk has been proven to be the one of the keys to happiness, health, and longevity, and a great stress buster. While you may have been looking at the dog walk as a chore that you'd much rather forgo, you should now start regarding it as a blessing—a gift that your dog presents to you every single day, getting you out in fresh air, moving those legs and arms, getting air in your lungs, and leaving the pressures of the day behind. And it's free! Once he or she is walking nicely beside you, I guarantee that, no matter how much you don't look forward to that little bit of exercise, you will learn to enjoy the walk as well as feel much better after it—especially as you start to see the relationship between you and your dog greatly improving. Many people say they feel much closer and have a far more rewarding relationship with their dog when they walk him or her more.
So, glance away from your computer screen now and look at your dog. What would he or she love to do right now? And how lucky are you that this daily duty is also what is most likely to improve your dog's behaviour and your own health and happiness? So grab the leash, smile at your canine companion, and go for a longer walk than you usually do. By doing this, you'll be taking huge steps towards a much better-behaved dog. By not taking your dog on a long walk every day, you are depriving yourself of one of the easiest and most beneficial ways to improve the life you share with your four-legged friend. So get out there!
Happy walking!
Seán
(Remember: lessons on getting your dog to walk nicely are coming right up, so stay tuned!)
5 comments:
Tired dogs are happy well behaved dogs. I know it and I have heard it from you many times. You were and are correct. The more they get out there with me and explore, run, sniff, jump and tear through the jungle the more they are well behaved dogs, happy to follow commands and well mannered at home. Thanks Sean
This is excellent stuff, Sean, much-needed advice on how people can be better cat owners. A collection of these essays would also make a good owner's guide.
Question: My Taiwanese friend keeps 5 cats in one (bed)room, and is busy so rarely pays much attention to them, but doesn't want to cut down their numbers because they're 'so beautiful'. This seems so inhumane to me, borderline unhygienic and therefore dangerous. ANy thoughts?
T. Wilde, this series is specifically for dogs, and I have to confess I'm really not an authority on cats--they tend to rule the roost in my home! For sure, there is much debate about whether cats should be kept inside or allowed freedom to come and go. In the States, most rescue groups won't adopt out to anyone who will let the cat outside; in the UK, similar groups insist new adopters allow the cat to wander outside. My own cat shows frustration and will do all she can to escape if not let outside. But I think there is an argument for not making a cat go outside if he or she seems content to be an indoors cat. Having said that, keeping a cat (or several cats) confined to one room is, in my mind, depriving them of the joys of exploration. I do like it when people turn parts of their homes into feline jungle gyms, with things to climb, toys to attack, and elevated walkways and perches from which cats can do what they do best: look down on us humans. :)
I'm looking forward to what you have to say about correcting the behavior where dogs constantly pull on the leash. I see this all the time, with dogs straining so hard that they cut off their own air supply and lift the entire front of their body off the ground. I see these dogs walking forward on just their hind legs with the collar cutting into their throats. They're wheezing and choking, and this goes on for the entire walk. It drives me crazy to see that. I imagine the owner can do something very simple to correct that behavior. You could put some simple step-by-step instructions on how to deal with this on a business card and then these could be handed out to dog owners with this problem.
There's an incredibly effective and very easy way to get a dog walking nicely on leash, and I'll be posting about that soon. I have a one-year-old, high-energy dog called Bella who I've been training for a week now, and she has already walking beautifully on leash (most of the time; still needs little reminders from time to time). It is indeed horrible to see those other dogs pulling hard and choking themselves on a walk, and of course extremely rewarding to see that same dog walking nicely and happily in no time at all. I may have that lesson up by the weekend, but certainly early next week.
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