Talking Dogs: Is your dog begging for exercise?

Remember what it was like to be a kid on a Saturday morning. No school, the sun was shining and time was all yours. How about those weekends when it was raining hard and you were stuck inside all day. It was enough to make you bounce off the walls.

That’s how it is for our dogs when they don’t get enough exercise. They can literally go bonkers with pent-up energy they don’t know what to do with. Behavioral issues often result and many dogs are given up for adoption or, worse, dumped along the highway or in the desert. Sometimes a trainer or behaviorist is called in to figure out a dog’s problem. More often than not a lack of exercise is one of the major underlying causes of behavioral problems.

I own a border collie, a very intense sheep-herding dog with a strong work ethic. Even though she knows at least 200 words, is obedience trained, a demo dog for my classes, and a Canine Good Citizen (CGC), she will tear up her toys out of frustration when not exercised enough. That’s when I know I am falling down on my job and need to get her out for a long walk or a run (not always easy for an aging dog trainer who never has enough time). I make every effort to get her out twice a day and run her along side my bike until she is huffing and puffing. This usually will do the trick and drains off that excess energy that becomes cumulative if not released. She does not tear up toys and is much easier to live with, as long as I am consistent in exercising her. It is wise when choosing a dog to do your research and get a dog that matches your energy and activity level ... more on that topic at another time.

Get out and walk

Walking is a primal activity for a dog and they need to do it every day. For those who are able, two 45-minute walks daily is recommended. These are not to be slow, meandering walks where your dog stops to sniff every rock and bush. Walk as quickly as you are comfortable with so that you and your dog get a workout. Get into a rhythm, get your heart rate up, take charge and see if you can log a couple miles on your walk.

If you cannot walk your dog at a brisk steady clip, consider a professional dog walker who is able to do so. On days when you absolutely cannot get outside to walk, find fun activities you and your dog can do indoors such as hide-and-seek. Dogs love to search for you. Teaching your dog to walk on a treadmill is another good alternative.

Before you give up on your misbehaving dog stop and ask yourself, “Am I exercising my dog enough?” The answer might surprise you.

Roger Nelson is owner-operator of Green Valley Canine. He is a certified dog trainer and behavioral counselor and can be contacted at 520-399-1132 or www.greenvalleycanine.com