Behavior & Basic Training: Walking the Dog

by Victoria Stilwell
Watch Victoria Stilwell's "It's Me or the Dog" on Animal Planet

Why walking enriches your dog's life.

Giving your dog one good long walk a day is essential for his emotional and mental stability. Exercise is a potent stress reliever for all animals, and a regular walk schedule will enhance your dog's life immeasurably.

Inactivity contributes to destructive behaviors such as chewing, house soiling, excessive barking and many other anxiety-based behaviors. Dogs that are left alone for long hours on a regular basis cannot be blamed for taking out their boredom and loneliness on the couch. Chewing relieves stress. It's the same as biting your nails.

So why is it so important to take your dog for a walk? Lets look at it from the dog's point of view. A walk not only exercises him physically - it provides a different environment that challenges and stimulates his senses. It's hard for humans to appreciate the awesome capacity of a dog's sense of smell and to understand exactly how it sees and what it hears.

Unlike the wolf or the wild dog, the domesticated dog lives in a sensory deprived environment, which contributes to countless physical and behavioral problems. Walking is the best way to provide the exercise and stimulation your dog needs, but here are some other ways to help enrich your dog's life.

• Stimulate your dog's senses by allowing him to experience different environments each day. Introduce him to new smells, sights, sounds, tastes and textures in your home, around the neighborhood or at your local park.
• Leaving your dog in the garden all day without taking him for a walk is as bad as leaving him in the house - the 'backgarden barker' is an all too familiar sight. If your dog spends long hours at home by himself during the day, consider hiring a dog walker or take your dog to a reputable doggy day care.
• An adult dog needs to eliminate three to four times a day. Three ten minute walks around the neighborhood and a daily run in the park will help keep your dog healthy and your home free from accidents.
• Obesity should not be a canine problem. Most dogs are over weight because of too much food and lack of exercise. Don't rely on low fat diets to help your dog lose weight. Take him for a walk instead!
• Play games with your dog such as hide and seek, fetch, frisbee and tug-of-war. Hide treats around the house and send your dog on a treasure hunt. Vary your dog's toys by rotating them each day and buy toys that challenge him such as a Kong toy or a Buster Cube.
• Find a training or agility class in your area and get together with other owners and their dogs. Socialization is very important. Dogs are pack animals and isolation from the human or animal pack for long periods can have devastating behavioral consequences. Play dates and socializing with other dogs in off-leash areas will help your dog develop important canine skills.
• Cater to your dog's energy requirements and allow his breed to dictate what he needs. Is he more predisposed to tracking, hunting, luring or herding? Adopt an exercise schedule to suit your dog.

Enriching your dog's life by taking him for a walk and stimulating his senses doesn't need to take a lot of time. It just means a different approach, a new awareness of your dog's needs and making a few small life changes. Sharing the responsibility with the whole family ensures that your dog receives the attention and time it deserves.

www.dogtrainersofnewjersey.com
Victoria Stilwell is a principle in Dog Trainers of New Jersey is a New Jersey dog training and obedience training organization offering services throughout New Jersey. Their experienced New Jersey client-centered dog trainers and animal behaviorists can train you to train your canine with positive reinforcement. They also provide New Jersey pet boarding. We thank them for their help and continued support for Stray from the Heart Dog Rescue.