Exercise – A Simple Solution for Behavior Problems

Exercise means doing things with your dog, not just letting him run around alone in the yard. Dogs are social animals and require interactive play. Too much time alone in the yard will not solve behavior problems.  In fact, it will often lead to more behavior problems like excessive barking, digging and fence fighting.  It may actually increase, rather than decrease, a dog’s level of frustration.  An active, involved owner with a small back yard is a lot more fun for a dog than a detached, aloof owner who banishes the dog to “go play” in a big back yard. Steven R. Lindsay, in The Handbook of Applied Dog Training and Behavior agrees, “Putting a dog outside in a fenced yard is not enough to produce adequate exercise. The owner must become directly involved in the exercise activity, insuring that the exercise is done in a way that produces physiological and psychological benefit.”

Dog parks and day care are not appropriate for every dog. But luckily, those are not the only ways to exercise your dog. Dogs enjoy fetch, jogging, long walks, swimming and playing games like tug-of-war and flirt pole.

Tug-of-war is a great game to play with non-aggressive dogs, as long as you follow some basic rules. The owner should be the one to start and end the game, use only one object as the tug toy and put it away when you’re done and  teach the dog to drop the object on command.

A flirt pole is a stick with a piece of rope and a toy tied to the end. Dogs with high prey drive love to chase and try to catch the toy. Dogs are not cats though, so be careful not to use the toy to make the dog jump in the air, or your dog may be injured. The toy should be made to “run” along the ground, simulating the movement of a running critter.

While mental stimulation is not a substitute for exercise, don’t underestimate its impact on your dog’s overall well-being. Occupying your dog’s brain can be just as tiring as physical exercise. Take your dog with you wherever dogs are welcome.  Invest in a good obedience training program so that your dog will learn to be more pleasant and well-mannered, and he will be welcome in more places. (Plus the training itself is another great way to occupy your dog’s mind.)

If you’re thinking about getting a second dog to keep the first one company, really think it over. You just might wind up with 2 bored dogs instead of one. There is no substitute for human attention, love, guidance and companionship.

Thanks to in-home dog trainers Canine Dimensions for contributing this article.