Walking the Dawg! • 10 Tips

Fitness and Socialization: Walking the Dawg!

Twice a Day, for Life. Your dog should be walked a least twice
a day, every day. Walking keeps dogs physically fit, gives them a chance to socialize with other dogs, helps them interact with people, and reduces behavior problems like separation anxiety and barking. Just as important, walking provides mental stimulation essential for your dog’s emotional well-being. Walks are best scheduled shortly after mealtimes, for obvious reasons.

You’re in Charge. Controlling your dog is essential for all concerned. Start out early, training your puppy to walk with a buckle collar and non-retractable leather leash. Use cheerful commands and treats to get him started. If he strays, call to him and steer him
in the right direction. If he pulls, change direction and encourage
him to follow. Be gentle--never yank a young puppy by his leash. Older, untrained, or aggressive dogs may need a training device, such as a slip collar, halter, humane choker or head collar. (Never use an electronic collar.) Always exercise caution when using a training collar: All collars are not appropriate for every dog, and a harsh jerk on a choker chain can cause serious injury. Hard cases and tough guys may need obedience school.

Safety First. Nothing spoils a nice walk in the park more than a dead dog or a lawsuit. So watch out for other dogs, watch out for traffic, and make sure your dog doesn’t bite anybody. If your dog
is a biter, he should be muzzled. If he’s a runner, he should be leashed. Never let your dog leave your sight or out run the sound
of your voice. Better to be safe than sorry.

Come Prepared. Always carry a leash, even if you’re in an off
-leash park. Bring water and have a dog first aid kit in the car.
Don’t let your dog drink from puddles and don’t leave your dog
alone in the car on a hot day–ever! And don’t forget the poop
bags!  Please!

Take it Easy. Just because you want to run a marathon
doesn’t mean your dog should. Consider your dog’s size, age
and condition when you exercise. A healthy dog can walk for
miles, but remember your stride is longer than theirs. Some dogs
like to run but others just want to lumber along. Let them. If you
want to jog with your dog, make sure he’s big enough and fit
enough to keep up (and vice versa). And check your dog’s paws
for wear and tear at the end of each walk.

Watch the Sun. Dogs can sunburn, especially those with
short or light-colored coats. Limit their sun exposure and use sunscreen on sensitive areas like the nose and ears.

Watch the Weight. If you can’t feel your dog’s ribs because
he’s eaten too many of yours, he’s probably fat. Obesity is a
serious risk to your dog’s health. So cut back on the treats (try substituting carrots, celery,or green beans), make sure your
dog gets sufficient exercise, and consult your vet about a safe
and sensible weight-loss plan.

Watch the Poop. Most adult dogs have one or two bowel movements a day. Stool should be firm and brown. Urine should
be yellow and clear. Call the vet if your dog experiences bloody
or runny stools, straining, or too little or too much urination.  

Call the Vet. The following symptoms could require immediate attention: Persistent coughing or sneezing; excessive thirst or hunger; difficulty breathing; prolonged panting; excess urination, vomiting or diarrhea for more than 12 hours; loss of balance,
falling or fainting; runny eyes or nose; restlessness; weight loss; discharge from eyes, ears or nose; loss of appetite for more than
a day; malaise or excessive sleeping; limping; continued whining
or shivering; constipation or lack of urination.

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10 TIPS FOR DEALING WITH PROBLEM BEHAVIOR
by Suzanne Clothier

At one time or another, every owner has to deal with problem behavior. Understanding why your dog does what he does, and
how to handle the situation correctly can help resolve problems quickly.

Here are some basic guidelines that apply to nearly all
problem situations:

Control the dog and you control the situation. By putting on
a training collar and lead, you can control the dog. For many dogs, their training equipment means business, not playtime, and this
can help in a problem situation. A dog who is on lead cannot run away or chase people or other animals, and his owner has a chance to help him understand what he should do by guiding him with the leash and collar.

Be positive. Instead of saying "NO", try giving your dog some-
thing positive that he can do for you, such as "Sit", or "Heel". This
positive approach means you can praise generously for his good actions, instead of simply yelling at him. For example, a dog who jumps up can be told to sit, and helped if necessary, then praised
for sitting.

Allow a dog to be a dog. Often, what owners consider problem behavior is simply normal dog behavior that they find unpleasant
or annoying. For example, digging is a natural canine activity but distressing to a garden proud owner. Instead of scolding for what comes naturally, it might be kinder to set up an area in which you have buried small treats to make it more attractive than the rest
of the yard, and praising your dog for digging in "his" garden. Whenever natural behaviors conflict with what you might like,
be creative and see if you can find an outlet for those interests
and activities that is suitable for you both.

Be consistent. It is unfair to the dog to change your rules
depending on what you're wearing, who's visiting or the kind
of day you've had. If your dog is allowed on the furniture, he will
be confused when you yell at him because Aunt Bess is visiting
and she doesn't think dogs should sit in chairs! If he's allowed to jump up when you're wearing jeans and a sweatshirt, don't be surprised if he can't tell the diff-erence between that and your
best evening gown. Whatever your rules are, keep
them consistent.

Have your dog earn what he wants. While everyone needs a
few freebies now and then, your dog will not think you are a wonderful owner if you play with him, walk him, feed him and pet
him whenever he demands it. In fact, this often creates problems since from the dog's point of view an owner who can be "trained"
this well is not one who deserves much respect. Teach your dog
to say "please" by sitting, laying down or following some other command before he gets what he wants.

Be clear. Owners often confuse dogs by changing the words
or commands, repeating them over and over again without
showing the dog what is meant, and worst of all, assuming that
the dog un-derstands. When in doubt, gently show your dog physically exactly what you mean, giving the command at the
same time so that he can associate the two. Use clear, matter
of fact commands when addressing your dog, and be sure that
your praising tone is excited, enthusiastic and upbeat.

Remember that while we use words to communicate, dogs are masters of reading body language. If your body language tells
the dog one thing, but your voice tells the dog something else, chances are he will believe your body language. This is why
people who bend towards their dog and shake a finger at them
while scolding "No, no, no" often receive a playful bark - their
body posture is much more like a dog inviting play than a dog
who is annoyed or angry.

Exercise, exercise, exercise! The most common cause of
problem behavior is boredom and a lack of sufficient exercise.
While you work or go out, your dog has little or nothing to do,
and his need to exercisewill not go away. A familiar yard or house
is boring, and few dogs exercise on their own without interaction
with their owners. Take the time to play with your dog, jog with
him, walk in the woods, swim or take long brisk walks each day.
A tired dog is always a well behaved dog!

Provide mental stimulation. Dr. Roger Abrante's suggestions regarding using 1/3 of your dog's diet for treats to be earned
during training, 1/3 to be given as usual in a food bowl, and 1/3
to be "hunted" (try a Buster Cube, an ingenious toy which the
dog must persistently work with to receive a few kibble at a time. Even a border collie will be amused by this for hours! Buster
Cubes are available from your local pet store or from
DogWise.com.) This "home alone" 1/3-1/3-1/3 program helps
your dog expend some energy and provides much needed stimulation.

Understand your dog's genetic heritage. Whether you own
a Doberman or a Beagle, a Samoyed or a Westie, it is important
to understand what your dog was bred to do. Owners often forget
that the behavior that prompts a dog to run or stay close, hunt or guard, chase and kill or herd, work with people or work independently are all the result of generations of carefully
selected traits. Research your breed's history, and talk to people
who understand your breed's characteristics. You may find that Rover's tendencies, while annoying or amusing, are precisely
what makes him what he is. You can then decide how best
to work with your dog's instincts and where you need
to concentrate training efforts.

Train your dog. Every dog should have basic manners, but
dogs are not born knowing how to behave. Take the time to train your dog on a consistent basis using kind, positive methods. Find
a class near you whose methods and philosophies you like. If faced with a behavior problem you can't solve, ask people you trust for
a recommendation of an experienced trainer and get professional help fast. The sooner you begin working on a problem the sooner you will have it solved.

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