Dog training tip: Exercise, exercise, exercise!

A huge number of private dog trainings center on solving one problem or another. These problems run the gamut from simply annoying, puppy nipping on through to extremely dangerous forward aggressive adult dogs. These "problem dogs" come in all different breeds, in all ages, and come from very diverse households. They do, however, have one thing very much in common. They all don't get sufficient exercise to suit their needs.

Proper exercise alone can solve or prevent 90% of common doggy problems 90% of the time 90% effectively.

When the above written fact is mentioned, people instantly imagine having to tediously jog for miles with their dogs. Not so - aside from not always being practical or even beneficial - jogging focuses too much on just physical exercise. It is preferable to mix active physical exercise with mental exercise as well.

For example: That jog around the neighborhood is an O.K. idea. But, to make it a really effective canine exercise, try practicing obedience DURING the jog. Every 15 feet or so, make the dog SIT. Make these SITs quick and snappy to keep the dog interested and thinking. Now, instead of having the dog mindlessly trot around (and probably getting more excited, not less), you now are making the dog work.

If jogging isn¹t your cup of tea, try playing FETCH with your dog. Get ahold of 3, 4, 5 or even a dozen OLD tennis balls. Several balls allow you to keep the game active without having to stop and retrieve (or fight the dog for ) the ball. In between every toss, though, have the dog SIT or DOWN. As soon as it performs the requested act, immediately toss the ball. After an amazingly short time, your pooch will start to relate the SIT or the DOWN with you throwing the ball. Now it has to think while playing. This game can be played on and off leash, in a fenced in yard or a hallway, or even up and down a flight of stairs.

Further exercise can include simply stimulating ALL the dog¹s senses...

Take the pooch to different places - parks, shopping centers, different neighborhoods - and practice light controlling obedience. Your dog will now have to actively work to SIT, COME and DOWN while being bombarded by all kinds of stimuli.

Your dog can get in some exercise while you¹re sitting watching TV or surfing the Net. Scoot forward in the chair or sofa and place the dog into the SIT in front of you, in between your legs. Keep the dog in this position and ONLY this position by praising, caressing and by constantly repositioning it should it move. Start out by making the dog SIT for only a few minutes at a time, working the dog up to a maximum of 20 minutes. Simply sitting for extended times, your dog is exerting huge amounts of mental energy while exerting some physical energy controlling its movements.

Even while in the crate or alone, your dog can still exercise its body and mind. Stuff special hollow chew toys (such as Kongs or sterilized marrow bones) with VERY tempting treats. Your pup will use up some physical energy trying to open the toy and lots of mental energy trying to figure a way to get the treat.

Try these exercise ideas for at least a week before expecting to notice any results.

So, for those of you who have a jumpy, nippy puppy - TIRE IT OUT ! Nervous or skitterish dog? Lower its energy levels to naturally tone it down. Even housebreaking can be helped along by having your puppy too pooped to run away from you and poop in your home.

January 2008 Voume 1

Building Your Dog's Confidence

You know the type. A nervous anxious dog who seems fearful of just about anything – humans, other dogs, bicycles. Needless to say, a shy dog can be a problem for you, the owner. The type of behavior he exhibits and his complete lack of confidence will make it impossible for you to give him even the most basic training. Not to mention that a fearful dog is much more likely to get into fights with other dogs. Confidence building itself can be a misunderstood term in the doggie context. The point here is not to build up your dog’s ego (yes, they have egos) to the point where they are cocky, and believe they, and not you are the leader of the pack. Training a dog always involves letting him know that you are the leader. For obvious reasons, training a fearful dog will involve slightly different methods.

How to Recognize a Fearful Dog

A shy dog will have his tail tucked firmly between his legs and his ears flattened against his head. His head will be lowered - a sure sign that he doesn’t consider himself to be the dominant leader of the pack and he trembles - and pants excessively. If you reach forward to pet him, he backs away. In extreme cases of fear, the dog might run to run away or urinate.

Causes of the Fear

A dog that hasn’t been properly socialized in the early stages can be expected to be nervous or shy around strangers. Socialization exposes him to other dogs and human beings and therefore he does not recognize these as anything to be afraid of. A dog that’s been locked up in a kennel for a major part of his life has difficulty relating to and accepting people and situations. You also have to consider that’s some dog breeds are naturally mild mannered. Dogs that might have been shunted between homes frequently or been abused are likely to suffer from nervous disorders. Not all shy dogs are the product of abuse however. Illnesses often force a dog to lose self esteem. A dog in pain or discomfort will not be outgoing. You might try having him checked by a vet to ascertain there is nothing physically wrong with him. Puppies who have had terrifying experiences are very likely to retain memories of the unpleasant incident leading to fearful behavior as an adult.

Training a Shy Dog

The process of building confidence in a dog involves a lengthy process of desensitization. Be patient. Results won’t be immediate. First determine the objects that he is fearful of and slowly begin exposing him to it. If he is afraid of people, enlist the help of a friend. Let this person be in the same room with the dog but without approaching him or acknowledging him in any manner. Once the dog has gotten used to your friend’s presence, tell him to offer the dog some treat with his hands held behind him and his back to the dog. This is a non threatening position for the dog. Once he is comfortable receiving treats from a stranger, ask your friend to begin speaking to him. The next steps would be to face him and pat him. If at any point in this process, the dog shies away, go back to the previous step and start all over again. If your dog is afraid of other dogs then don’t just introduce him to a whole bunch of them and expect him to just get along. Take him for a walk on a leash to a park where there are other dogs with their owners. The leash shouldn’t be too tight because then he feels restricted and vulnerable. This might then turn into fear – a prime cause for a dog fight. Act nonchalant among the other dogs. Dogs can pick up behavior patterns from others around them. If he notices you’re completely relaxed, he might decide there’s nothing to be afraid of. Sit Happensand DVF Mastiffhave a series of confidence building exercises that you can practice with your dog. Above all be patient. A dog can take months of such therapy before he gains some confidence. Don’t berate him or poke fun at him. Encourage him and be generous with praise. Treat him to the things he enjoys – a run in the park, his favorite treats. He might never evolve into an outgoing enthusiastic animal but eventually, he will learn to be more comfortable in his own fur.