Now This Is Really Mean

And people wonder why Rover is anxious and destructive ...

When was the last time you made him really focus?

After all, making your dog focus for 45 minutes twice a do is really very little to ask of him. If you think about it, forty five minutes of dog exercise takes only a very small part of his day.

Your dog needs to focus and have working time. It is not good for him to do as he pleases, and when he feels like it.

Lack of discipline and exercise are the main reasons for which a dog develops destructive habits or anxiety. And sometimes it even leads to dog aggression.

The cruel thing that a lot of humans do is to feed the dog twice a day and then let it run in the yard for activity. It's not loving freedom. It's not qualified exercise. It's denial of the dog's inborn need for purpose and focus - and it can destroy him!

Rena Murray
Dog Whisper Woman

Don't Let the Fireworks Put You Out!

I hope everyone had a good 4th of July. I did, and like most people, I enjoy the fireworks.

But like most dogs, my dog does not!

Knowing that the fireworks would be coming later that evening, I proceeded with his usual 6 p.m. run. This allowed him to have a bowel movement so he wouldn't be uncomfortable during that time. I also had to take him out several times later that evening until he was relaxed enough to urinate.

Some would disagree with me and suggest that I should just leave the dog in the house overnight. That sure wouldn't feel very good to his bowels and bladders, poor thing!

Just remember - Fireworks or not, it's important to keep your pet on his or her routine as much as possible.

Exercising Your Dog - How Much Is Enough?

What's the truth about dog exercise?

Exercising your dog is critical to keep him both mentally and physically balanced.

It extends dog life, stimulates his appetite, and expends excess energy to calm him down.

But how do you know when your dog has had enough?

My Border Collie runs six miles per day with me on a bike - four miles in the morning, and two in the evening. He loves his runs. So if he indicates to me that he doesn't want to go on, I know for sure and respect the fact that he is not up to it that day.

Any dog who throws a temper tantrum you should make keep going. But if the dog has clearly had enough, then stop.

Some days we humans also have times when we are not fully up to snuff. Why would you expect it to be any different with your dog?

It is also important to remember that not every dog can run the same distance, or at the same speed. In dog training or caring for multiple dogs, it is sometimes tempting to take a group of dogs with you at once rather than making multiple runs yourself. But that is not always wise.

It is a dog health risk for some dogs if you take a pack comprised of different dog breeds and different ages out together and run them a significant distance. Not all are at the same level of physical conditioning and stamina.

For example, Hounds can run 40 hours when on a significant trail. That would kill my Border Collie and many other dogs, who are not built for that.

Use common sense, people!
dog health
dog training