Thursday, February 26, 2009

Exercise Your Dog - Burning Off Pent-Up Energy



This is an important one folks. OK - assuming you work everyday like the rest of us poor shleps, it is safe to say your dog or dogs are couped up in the house until quitting time. That being said, it is very important for your dog's health - mentally and physically, to be exercised at least twice a day minimum. And I'm not talking about walking down to the end of the block and back, I'm talking exercised like running a dog 1/2 mile or so to burn off all of the pent-up energy s/he accumulates all day.

I know what your thinking - oh great he wants me to work all day and come home and run 1/2 mile. Yes! Exactly and you don't necessarily have to run. I was thinking more along the lines of riding a bike or rollerblading while running you dog(s). This will definitely do the trick. In addition, I sure getting a little exercise yourself won't kill you either but let's stick to dogs for now.

Once the pent-up energy is burnt off a dog becomes more trainable due to the fact that they are no longer distracted by pent-up energy. Pretty simple concept, right? You'll notice a dog pulls fiercely on their leash at the beginning of the walk and if you burn some energy during that time, notice the pulling is must less on your way home. That big uncoachable doggie barrier is now down which allows the dog to absorb your calm, assertive commands. Notice how I said clam and assertive. Yelling does not work on so many levels. So remember, in addition to committing to at least a 1/2 mile a day with your four legged friends, also remember to remain calm and assertive at all times.

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