Post by willow on May 23, 2006 11:53:19 GMT -5
We always hear that the herding breeds "require" more exercise than other breeds and therefore, are not good dogs for first time dog owner's.
My belief is that most all breeds require a certain amount of exercise, and whether the person is a first time dog owner or not, it's not the breed, but whether a person is dog savvy enough to understand the three major rules of being the Pack leader and creating a happy, calm dog no matter what the breed.
We know the rules are "exercise, limitations/boundaries and love" in that order.
But just how much exercise does a dog really need and what kind of exercise?
Even before the days of Cesar Milan, I have believed that we create the hyper monster's some dogs are because we actually give them too much exercise. But...too much of the wrong kind of exercise.
For instance, you didn't have time/energy to give your dog a nice long calming walk/run today, so your dog gets in your face demanding you throw a ball for them, or play tug etc. , or you decide that today you will just throw the ball/play tug in lieu of the walk, because that seems much easier to you than getting out there and hoofing it with the dog for an hour.
You may not realize it, but doing that just one time and you have created an inappropriate/bad habit. The next day, your dog brings you the ball and you throw it...and throw it....and now the ball has become an obsession and you can't sit down without the dog bringing you a ball or a toy and demanding you play with them.
I fostered a young female Aussie whom I was told was kicked by a horse and consequently, it pushed her front teeth on the right side out. Knowing horses, dogs and somewhat about teeth, I looked at her and knew it wasn't caused by a horse kick to the face, which would have pushed the teeth in, or more likely, knocked them out completely. Then I found out she had a horrible ball obsession and if allowed to, would carry the ball around in her mouth all day, just waiting for you to throw it for her. This would go on all day if you gave in to her. And of course, she held the ball on the right side of her mouth.
Once I realized what her problem was, I stopped the bad habit immediately and would not let her have the ball when she wanted it, but only when I chose to throw it for her, and then the ball would be put up until the next day. She immediately became a much calmer dog.
If you don't over stimulate them, or let them tell you when they want to play, walk etc., you will actually find that they can get along on much less play/exercise and will calmly wait for you to make the first move.
After all...isn't it the pack leader who determines when the pack will do things together, such as hunt etc.?
p.s. After writing this, I'm not sure if this is the appropriate place for this thread.
My belief is that most all breeds require a certain amount of exercise, and whether the person is a first time dog owner or not, it's not the breed, but whether a person is dog savvy enough to understand the three major rules of being the Pack leader and creating a happy, calm dog no matter what the breed.
We know the rules are "exercise, limitations/boundaries and love" in that order.
But just how much exercise does a dog really need and what kind of exercise?
Even before the days of Cesar Milan, I have believed that we create the hyper monster's some dogs are because we actually give them too much exercise. But...too much of the wrong kind of exercise.
For instance, you didn't have time/energy to give your dog a nice long calming walk/run today, so your dog gets in your face demanding you throw a ball for them, or play tug etc. , or you decide that today you will just throw the ball/play tug in lieu of the walk, because that seems much easier to you than getting out there and hoofing it with the dog for an hour.
You may not realize it, but doing that just one time and you have created an inappropriate/bad habit. The next day, your dog brings you the ball and you throw it...and throw it....and now the ball has become an obsession and you can't sit down without the dog bringing you a ball or a toy and demanding you play with them.
I fostered a young female Aussie whom I was told was kicked by a horse and consequently, it pushed her front teeth on the right side out. Knowing horses, dogs and somewhat about teeth, I looked at her and knew it wasn't caused by a horse kick to the face, which would have pushed the teeth in, or more likely, knocked them out completely. Then I found out she had a horrible ball obsession and if allowed to, would carry the ball around in her mouth all day, just waiting for you to throw it for her. This would go on all day if you gave in to her. And of course, she held the ball on the right side of her mouth.
Once I realized what her problem was, I stopped the bad habit immediately and would not let her have the ball when she wanted it, but only when I chose to throw it for her, and then the ball would be put up until the next day. She immediately became a much calmer dog.
If you don't over stimulate them, or let them tell you when they want to play, walk etc., you will actually find that they can get along on much less play/exercise and will calmly wait for you to make the first move.
After all...isn't it the pack leader who determines when the pack will do things together, such as hunt etc.?
p.s. After writing this, I'm not sure if this is the appropriate place for this thread.