Dog ownership would be easy if all dogs where cut from the same cloth.
That way what was good for one dog would be good for all dogs, but that is not the case at all. Dogs, just like people, have a variety of personalities and requirements that need to be met on a daily basis in order for them to maintain an amicable disposition.
It seems obvious to say that dogs need exercise. But you would be surprised at how many people have no clue as to how much exercise is enough, too much, or too little. A client with a young Rottweiler thought that a 15-minute walk once a day (on sunny days only) was enough. When I explained that 15 minutes is simply a warm-up for the 45 minutes to follow she just about blew a gasket. If you are not able to provide your dog with daily exercise of at least one continuous hour then I would suggest that you consider hiring a professional and pay for your dog's exercise.
Young puppies under five months of age can have a few 30-minute walks throughout the day because too much repetitive exercise can cause damage to immature bones. But an adolescent who has finished growing and healthy adult dogs can easily get an hour, if not more, of exercise a day. Senior dogs or dogs with medical or physical may need an altered exercise routine that may require several shorter walks throughout the day, but all dogs need exercise. Their quadruped body is designed to be able to walk, run, hike, etc. for much longer with far less physical discomfort than our upright, oddly balanced bi-ped bodies.
Dogs are very social creatures. Being descendants of wolves that have a highly structured social network, dogs enjoy the company of their own kind. It is important for your dog to play and interact with other dogs. If the dog park or a dog daycare is your thing then that's great, but make sure your dog is OK with the sometimes frenetic energy of a dog park or daycare. Sometimes just allowing friendly, social dogs to meet while on a hike is enough to satisfy that social need. A highly social dog denied canine social time will sometimes display inappropriate behaviours that may resemble aggression towards other dogs. This dog is often not aggressive at all but simply frustrated due to not being able to interact with its own kind.
Once an amount of social interaction is incorporated into that dog's daily routine, the inappropriate behaviour often stops. It's like the tap on the bottom of a barrel has been opened, and once the social frustration runs out the dog is better behaved. There are on occasion dogs that don't like other dogs, due to a socialization issue, medical issue or old age. A dog owner can easily fill that social need by interacting with them. A fun exercise while out on walks is to participate in the dog's curiosity as it investigates the environment, just like dogs do with each other. When the dog excitedly sniffs an area or is visually stimulated by something, actively participate by checking out the area of interest with your dog and verbally praising while petting at the same time. This is a fabulous bonding exercise for puppies too.
After teaching tracking and scent work for more than two decades, I tend to view dogs as a nose with legs. Seriously though, these creatures, no matter the breed, live through their noses. Most dogs can satisfy that nasal curiosity by sniffing here and there along their walk, but many highly active dogs need more than that. These dogs do great at nose-work or tracking class where they locate treats, objects, even people by following their nose. I continually see owners come out of a scent-training or tracking class with a new wide-eyed, jaw-dropping appreciation for their dog's nasal abilities. It's a lot of fun and your dog doesn't need to be a blood hound to do it. Pugs do just as well as Beagles! There are year-round scent classes and tracking classes on the North Shore and out in the Valley and you can start at any age with your dog. Providing your dog with these needs on a daily basis will help your dog live a healthier, happier and longer life.
Joan Klucha has been working with dogs for more than 15 years in obedience, tracking and behavioural rehabilitation. Contact her via her website k9kinship.com.
